A Vietnamese is still at work, but saves on the commute and is still at home with family

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In Vietnamese culture, work is perceived as a natural and inseparable part of life. Many Vietnamese spend long hours at work, often six days a week and sometimes more. Nevertheless, their daily rhythm differs significantly from the European one. While a European often spends hours commuting to the office and back, Vietnamese working life takes place in constant close connection with home and family.

Proximity of work and home

One of the most striking differences is the distance between the workplace and home. In Vietnam, it is common for people to live in close proximity to their workplace, or even work directly from home. Family businesses, small shops, workshops, or restaurants are often located on the ground floor of the house, while the family lives upstairs. This model saves time that would otherwise be wasted on commuting to work.

Thanks to the fact that long commutes are eliminated, Vietnamese gain valuable extra hours. They can devote these hours to family, rest, or household duties without having to sacrifice work performance.

Family and household duties in the spotlight

Vietnamese society places strong emphasis on family and intergenerational cohesion. Grandparents, parents, and children often live under one roof or in close proximity. Because work is so close to home, people can easily switch between work tasks and household care during the day.

They can take care of children or elderly parents during breaks.
They have the opportunity to cook fresh meals for the whole family.
They quickly handle unexpected situations, such as a repairman's visit or picking up a child from school.
They remain in constant contact with loved ones, which strengthens family bonds.

However, this proximity does not mean less work commitment. On the contrary – Vietnamese are known for their diligence and willingness to work exceptionally long hours. The difference is that their time is not divided into sharply separated blocks of "work" and "private life." The transitions are smooth and natural.

Contrast with the European model

In Europe, it is common for people to spend two or more hours a day commuting to and from work. No one pays them for these hours, so it is lost time, because it cannot be devoted to work or family. Moreover, commuting to work incurs additional transportation costs. The Vietnamese model shows that a different arrangement is possible. When work is part of the home or within walking distance, a person gains time that can be invested in relationships and daily duties.

"Time spent commuting is time that will never come back. The proximity of work and home is an advantage that many Vietnamese do not even realize – they simply live that way."

Benefits worth considering

The Vietnamese way of life is not perfect and brings challenges, such as the difficulty of separating work from personal time or limited space for privacy. Nevertheless, it offers inspiration. It shows that long hours at work do not necessarily mean separation from family. If work is organized so that it is close to home, people can stay in contact with loved ones, fulfill household duties, and still maintain high work performance. Vietnamese actually automatically function in home office or remote work mode.

For Europeans who spend hours in traffic jams every day, this approach can be food for thought. It is not necessary to change everything overnight, but perhaps it is worth looking for ways to shorten the distance between work and home – and thus gain more time for what truly matters.