ABSTRACT

This chapter analyses Vietnamese traditional leadership values in order to provide an overview of the impact of cultural context on Vietnamese modern business leadership practices. It provides a foundation for a subsequent analysis based on economic, social and cultural contexts relating to the shifting requirements for business leaders. The chapter explains the adoption of foreign practices in Vietnamese business units, including reviewing challenges of modern management and leadership. It also explores the tensions between conventional Vietnamese leadership styles and practices, and the adoption and modification of Western leadership concepts at organizational level, in particular the influence of foreign-owned enterprises (FOEs). Women's role in leadership has continued to increase in contemporary Vietnam, and they have increasing held leadership positions. Currently, Madam Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh is the Vice President of Vietnam, a position she has held since April 2016. In terms of local institutes providing business leadership training, there has been growth in number of MBA programmes in Vietnam since 2000.