Vietnam is no longer just a fast-growing economy or a low-cost manufacturing hub. It is entering what many local leaders now call an era of rising — defined not only by economic momentum, but by diplomatic agility, cultural confidence, and a new generation reshaping the country’s future. In this episode of You Don’t Know Vietnam, Ian Paynton speaks with Hang Vu, Managing Partner at RSI Consulting, about what Vietnam’s rise really looks like on the ground — beyond GDP headlines and investor hype. Drawing on her experience as a corporate leader turned market-entry advisor, we unpack

• What Vietnam’s rapid growth looks like on the ground — from mindset shifts to changing consumer behaviour
• The move from resilience to reinvention in Vietnamese business culture
• The rise of cultural confidence and creative industries
• The role of Vietnamese women as both guardians of tradition and pioneers of change
• Common mistakes international companies make when entering Vietnam
• Bamboo diplomacy and how it shapes Vietnam’s global positioning
• What success could look like for Vietnam’s era of rising over the next decade

This episode is essential listening for global business leaders, investors, and anyone seeking a deeper, more human understanding of where Vietnam is heading — and what it takes to succeed here in the years ahead.

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This podcast is brought to you by We Create Content, the content marketing agency that builds audiences for global brands in Vietnam. You can follow our host, Ian Paynton, on LinkedIn, and follow the podcast on Instagram, TikTok and X.

A special thanks to DJ Jase at The Beats Saigon for the soundtrack, and to YOU for listening.