E21 · Coffee & working life
Coffee & Leadership in Vietnam
An early cup to think, morning coffee with the team, candid talks outside the meeting room — coffee in Vietnam's culture of decision-making.
- Culture & lifestyle
- Updated 21 Oct 2026
In Vietnam, many decisions in businesses and organisations begin not in a meeting room but at a coffee table. A simple "let's grab a coffee tomorrow morning" can be the first step toward a new plan, a change in how things are done, or a frank conversation that has been waiting a long time.
This article is about that general cultural phenomenon, not about any particular person or organisation.
The quiet of early morning
People in leadership roles usually have packed days: meetings, partners, problems to solve. Quiet time to think becomes rare.
For many, the early-morning coffee is that quiet time. Sitting alone while the phin drips, before opening the phone or email, they sort out what needs doing, think through a difficult problem, or simply find their calm before a long day. The slow pace of the phin — a few minutes for the coffee to fall drop by drop — happens to suit thinking very well.
Some call it "my own hour". They don't use it to get things done, but to step back: what really matters today, what can be handed to someone else, who on the team needs a check-in.
Morning coffee with the team
Many teams have a habit of sitting down for coffee at the start of the week or the day with their managers. It isn't quite a meeting: no minutes, no slides. People give quick updates, raise what's stuck and agree who will sort it out.
| Coffee session | How it differs from a formal meeting |
|---|---|
| Morning coffee with the management team | Short, quick updates, spotting problems early |
| One-to-one coffee with a team member | Hearing feedback and concerns few would raise in a meeting |
| Coffee with a new joiner | Getting acquainted, helping them feel welcome |
| Coffee after a hard task | Looking back and learning, without assigning blame straight away |
Listening in a warmer setting
In a meeting room, people tend to say what they "should" say. Over coffee, they are more likely to say what they really think. That is why many leaders choose the coffee table to ask for their team's views, hear feedback on a decision, or find out why a plan isn't working.
To make such coffee sessions meaningful, many set themselves a few principles:
- Listen more than you speak. Open questions help people share more honestly.
- Be fair. Have coffee with many people, not just a familiar few.
- Keep your word. What you promise over coffee has to happen, or trust erodes.
- Respect people's time. Don't let coffee turn into unwanted overtime.
From coffee table to decision
Working culture in Vietnam values consensus. A proposal is often "tested" over coffee before it goes to a formal meeting. That way, by the time the meeting starts, everyone already understands each other to some extent, and it runs more smoothly.
But the coffee table has limits. An important decision needs to be discussed with the right people, recorded clearly and communicated openly to those affected. If everything is decided over coffee, those who weren't there feel left out. Coffee is where the conversation starts, not a substitute for the process.
Offering coffee — offering respect
When guests visit, offering a cup of coffee or tea is a familiar Vietnamese courtesy. For a leader, personally offering a guest or a colleague a cup of coffee is a way to show appreciation without many words.
Whether you lead a large company or a small team, a cup of coffee can be a place to pause, think carefully and listen. The "Coffee & working life" series ends here. The following articles turn to the art of enjoyment, beginning with Coffee & Books.
Frequently asked questions
Why do so many work conversations in Vietnam start at a café table?
Vietnamese culture values relationships and personal warmth. Sitting over coffee lets both sides talk more freely and understand each other first, so the formal meeting that follows usually goes more smoothly.
Is inviting staff for coffee a good management practice?
It can be an effective way to listen if done regularly, fairly with everyone, and with respect for people's time. It doesn't replace formal channels such as regular meetings or performance reviews.
