Part 3: Affirming the position of trade unions and workers
The image of thousands of foreign workers and managers solemnly saluting the flag at the beginning of the week, or the "international families" formed in FDI factories, are the "sweet fruits" of the long journey of building trust by the Nghe An Trade Union. Harmony in labor relations not only ends tense strikes but also contributes to making Vietnam in general, and Nghe An in particular, more attractive on the investment map.
Part 3:
Position in an era of growth
Harmonious labor relations not only end tense strikes but also create an ideal working environment, contributing to the attractiveness of Vietnam in general, and Nghe An in particular, on the investment map.
These "big families" know no borders.
After a long and persistent journey of building trust and empowering workers, the fruits of the relationship between FDI enterprises and trade unions in Nghe An are becoming increasingly evident. Dialogue has replaced confrontation, understanding has dispelled prejudices, and the creation of "international families" within factories and enterprises is becoming a reality.
“My company experienced strikes in its early years. But after nearly 15 years, I and many other workers are still committed and consider this our second home,” shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, manager of MLB Yen Thanh Co., Ltd. This is proof of a profound transformation in the mindset of FDI managers, a process persistently nurtured by dedicated trade union officials.
This change has also spread strongly to other businesses. At Kido Vinh Co., Ltd., strikes have ceased for many years. The relationship between employees and employers is so close that the appearance of the management team is always met with enthusiastic applause. Furthermore, the company has pioneered the establishment of a Party branch and consistently supports all activities of the trade union.
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At Gaiwach Vietnam International Apparel Co., Ltd., the management not only trusts and supports all proposals from the union but is also willing to provide additional bonuses to workers who actively participate in cultural and sports activities. Witnessing union officials and workers together teaching Vietnamese to the director, one understands that this relationship has gone far beyond the scope of work, becoming a genuine friendship...
The greatest success of the Nghe An Trade Union organization lies not only in protecting rights, but also in fulfilling a special mission: "Vietnamizing" FDI enterprises with cultural values and national pride.
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The image of thousands of workers at Wooin Vina Co., Ltd., solemnly singing the national anthem in their red and yellow shirts every Monday morning, is one of the most vivid and impactful examples. Few know that to achieve this atmosphere of "Great Unity - Overflowing Enthusiasm," the trade union officials of Dien Chau have persistently played a bridging role, resolving disagreements stemming from the tense strike of 2019. They have awakened national pride, transforming it into a unifying force, creating immense spiritual strength for the collective.
It is this pride that has created many very Vietnamese, very international moments right at FDI enterprises in Nghe An. These include images of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese managers checking in with the Vietnamese flag on April 30th; standing solemnly to salute the flag with workers; wearing traditional ao dai to perform cultural shows; and joining hands to donate and help flood victims. They are no longer distant bosses, but have become part of the community, cheering together at sporting events and participating in blood donation drives to save lives.
This close-knit relationship not only provides spiritual value, but also forms a solid foundation for the stability and growth of the business. A harmonious work environment, where employees are respected and have a voice, motivates them to dedicate themselves and stay long-term, thereby minimizing employee turnover and increasing productivity.
Practical results have proven this. Most businesses that build good labor relations experience stable growth, continuous expansion, receive more orders, and have great development potential. When employees and employers are aligned, they create a synergistic force that helps businesses overcome all difficulties.
Positioning the investment environment
Mr. Pan Dong Hua, Human Resources Director of Everwin Precision Technology Co., Ltd. (Vietnam), shared: "From the very beginning, when our company was first established with 50 workers, the Nghe An Trade Union officials have always coordinated with the company to focus on caring for and improving the material and spiritual lives of the workers. They have been a constant companion and partner with the company, guiding the grassroots trade union to understand the thoughts and aspirations of union members, and holding regular dialogues to resolve difficulties in labor relations. What's special is that they are ready to directly support the company in monitoring the implementation of laws and advising the company on improving labor management, making a significant contribution to resolving labor relations harmoniously, stably, and progressively, preventing labor disputes and strikes. Therefore, for FDI companies like ours, maintaining a professional trade union organization and directly guiding the grassroots trade union effectively is extremely important."
Everwin Precision Vietnam Technology Co., Ltd. is reportedly implementing a large-scale electronic component manufacturing project in Nghe An province. The project has a total investment of approximately $400 million, with the first phase costing $200 million, covering an area of over 43 hectares. The company expects to employ around 15,000 people upon completion.
Amidst a volatile global economy, Nghe An has emerged as a magnet for FDI attraction. For three consecutive years (2022-2024), Nghe An ranked among the top 10 provinces and cities nationwide in attracting FDI. In the first six months of 2025, this capital flow continued with nearly $300 million in newly registered and increased capital. In this context, neighboring localities are also experiencing rapid growth, and the risk of labor relations instability and "contagious" strikes is a real concern.
As of June 20, 2025, Nghe An province had approved investment policies and granted investment registration certificates for 32 projects, with a total registered capital of nearly VND 6,635 billion. In addition, 83 projects were adjusted, including 25 projects with increased capital totaling over VND 9,818 billion. The total newly approved and adjusted investment capital reached over VND 16,453 billion.
Regarding foreign investment, the province granted licenses to 8 new FDI projects with a total registered capital of US$76.2 million; and approved capital increases for 7 projects, totaling US$215.9 million. The total newly licensed and adjusted FDI capital in the first nearly 6 months of 2025 reached US$292.1 million.
However, the approach taken by the Nghe An Provincial Trade Union has shown a different direction. Instead of only dealing with the crisis after it has erupted, they chose to "cure the root cause" by raising awareness and skills among workers, while simultaneously changing the mindset of managers. This model has created a "safety net" for the province's investment environment.
Ms. Lang Thi Thanh Hoa, Chairwoman of the Trade Union of VSIP Nghe An Co., Ltd., shared: “From the beginning, businesses in the VSIP Industrial Park have always received close, timely, and effective guidance from the Trade Union of the Southeast Economic Zone, resulting in harmonious and stable labor relations. This is the basis for businesses to continue choosing Nghe An as their destination in recent years. In the future, after the streamlining revolution, we hope to continue receiving this support and partnership, so that FDI businesses have more support in stabilizing labor relations and feel more secure in their business and production.”
Faced with a new wave of investment and increasingly demanding requirements for technology and management, the challenges for trade unions are greater than ever. Mr. Kha Van Tam, Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial Federation of Labor, affirmed: To meet the demands of the new situation, the Nghe An Trade Union must focus all resources on building a new generation of trade union officials – individuals with sufficient courage, intelligence, and skill to truly be reliable partners for both businesses and workers. Specifically, trade union officials must be professional in their work and legally sound. They must not only have a firm grasp of Vietnamese labor law to engage in fair dialogue with the businesses' lawyers, but also be psychological negotiators, possessing a "cool head" for analysis and a "warm heart" for understanding and persuasion. Training in negotiation, dialogue, and strike resolution skills will continue to be innovated and strengthened.
Furthermore, union officials must be astute "cultural interpreters." In reality, many conflicts stem not from conflicting interests but from cultural clashes. Therefore, union officials must be able to use approachability and simple language to soothe the crowd, while also thoroughly explaining to foreign leaders the fundamental ethical values and traditions of the Vietnamese people. Above all, union officials must possess the capacity for integration. Given the reality of FDI inflows, we consider equipping them with foreign language skills a strategic step. The recently organized free Chinese language course is essential preparation for union officials to work directly, confidently, and enhance the organization's influence. Only with a high-quality workforce can we replicate successful labor relations models like those at Wooin Vina, MLB Yen Thanh, Kido Vinh, etc., and further strengthen the role of union officials as a bridge between businesses and the organization in improving the practical skills of workers.
We believe that investing in people, in trade union officials, is an investment in the stability of the business environment. A trade union team with sufficient dedication, patience, and a willingness to listen, share, and understand will be essential for investor confidence, contributing to affirming Nghe An's position and enhancing Vietnam's image on the international stage.
Mr. Kha Van Tam - Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial Federation of Labor
