As someone whose company has an office in Vietnam, I had the amazing opportunity to return to their location in Ho Chi Minh City recently.
But of course, no business trip could be complete without some important leisure time. Across the world, the concept of Bleisure Living is extremely different in each country and region, so if your travel plans call for this incredible part of the world, here are our tips to make your trip a success-
- Give Gifts! It is customary when doing business in this region to bring a small gift, especially one that is personalized to your location. This does not need to be anything fancy. I generally bring souvenirs from the place I’m living. Even keychains or magnets are truly well-received. For hotel staff, a small coffee gift card is a great way to make an impact.
- Build in Buffer for rest (pre, during, post). Even for an experienced traveler, the jet lag when traveling to Southeast Asia is tough! My recommendation is to add one day of PTO/rest when you arrive and at least one day when you return. Your body and ultimate productivity will thank you!
- Explore Even More. If you travel all the way for work, why not add on a few extra days for yourself? The working days are long, and you may not have time or energy to do much more than eat dinner at your hotel, so add in dedicated explore days. Most company policies allow flight flexibility (as long as the different flight is the same or cheaper than the original), and this is a great way to see even more places. On my recent trip to Ho Chi Minh, I added 2 days in Singapore, which is just a 1-hour flight away.
- Speak SLOWLY: This one is always challenging for me, but it’s important, especially in business to remember that English doesn’t just use different words but different sentence structures entirely. In addition to speaking slowly, eliminate analogies and hyperboles…a “tub of ice cream,” for example, would literally translate to a bath of the sweet treat.
- Immigration Intricacies. Firstly, be prepared to wait! As with all international destinations, this can take time, especially in Southeast Asia. If possible, search for fast track/VIP options which are often more affordable than you think..and after potentially flying for an entire day are invaluable. It’s also an important reminder to double-check the visa requirements and rules for your destination, as nobody wants an unfun fine on arrival.
- Trust Tours. Use websites like Viator to ensure your safety and maximize your visit. After a long work week, it’ll be worth the price to have someone else handle the organizing. One tip for making the most of your time is skipping hotel pick up, which often stops at many places, and opting to meet the tour at the departure point. My half-day city tour of Singapore was the perfect introduction to the city and ensured I saw all of the highlights.
Whether you are there for a few days, weeks or even longer, Southeast Asia is an incredibly diverse and exciting place for a bleisure living trip, especially when you follow these tips!