A worker assembles mobile phones at Samsung Electronics Vietnam's factory in the northern province of Bac Ninh. The company's general director Shim Won Hwan said that it has been transferring technology to Viet Nam step by step. — Photo baodautu.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Samsung Electronics Vietnam Company Ltd (SEV) has been transferring technology to Viet Nam step-by–step, ever since it started investing in the country, said SEV's General Director Shim Won Hwan.

In a forum entitled "Thanks Viet Nam" held in Ha Noi on November 26, Shim said that SEV has transferred both technology and management skills.

"In terms of technology, it is hard to define the exact time of the transfer. The company has also transferred management skills to the country as there are Vietnamese managers in SEV. However, it will take five years for Vietnamese people to reach the CEO's position in the company," he said.

Answering the question on SEV's targets for the next 30 years in Viet Nam, the general director said that they want to become a "Viet Nam national business" as well as a leading company in the world.

He added that Samsung started operations in Viet Nam in 2009, and has been continuously expanding and building factories in the country.

"The company's factories in Viet Nam have contributed to its development boom," he noted.

The reasons for Samsung's expansion in the country are the excellent and hard-working human resources.

The synchronised modern and improved infrastructure, together with a stable political climate, was also the momentum for Samsung to invest in Viet Nam.

"Our basic strategy is to achieve localisation to help the Vietnamese people actively receive technology and management skills," he said.

Vietnamese staff lack ownership spirit

Ha Chan Ho, a senior strategic advisor to SEV, hailed the Vietnamese people's qualities of being hard working and clever, and said that these will be the momentum for the country's development.

Shim agreed, but pointed out that young Vietnamese workers lacked an overview of the country's long history and an orientation for their future.

"Vietnamese graduates often pay a lot of attention to marks and certificates. I think that they have a similar knowledge base as they all receive training in universities or colleges. However, the most important thing is attitude towards work, understanding and care, besides a team spirit," he said.

Shim added that the biggest difference between South Korean and Vietnamese employees was the ownership spirit. Vietnamese people do not function as if they will work in a company for a long time or become a manager.

The general director also shared the company's vision and experience in transforming Samsung from a small commercial company to a large group, as well as employment experiences and opportunities, with more than 500 students at the forum. — VNS