How To Manage A Software Development Team in Vietnam

It is no easy task to manage a software development team, yet it’s essential for ensuring your Offshore Development Center (ODC) operates at peak performance, consistently delivering tech projects that exceed expectations.

For those building offshore tech teams in Vietnam, ensuring that developers remain well-aligned with your company—despite the geographical distance—is even more crucial.

Since 2016, Talent JDI has supported over 300 leading innovative companies across Asia in establishing and managing dedicated tech teams and ODCs in Vietnam. Here’s what we’ve learned:

7 Important Steps To Manage a Software Development Team

Before we dive deeper into the topic, it's worth noting that managing a software development team, whether onshore or offshore, follows the same fundamental framework. However, the latter introduces additional layers of complexity, such as time zone differences and cultural nuances.

#1. Appoint The Leader 

When managing an offshore tech team, the key to success starts with your first hire—the leader who will guide the entire team. Ideally, this person should be based in Vietnam alongside the team.

He/she will serve as the coordinator, aligning team efforts with company objectives, and maintaining adherence to best practices. The leader's presence will facilitate clear communication, streamline processes, and foster a cohesive work environment.

Thus, companies can choose to either assign a current employee, preferably from the C-level or executive ranks, to work directly with the team in Vietnam or hire a local expert. 

#2. Define Clear Objectives and Expectations

Setting clear outcomes and objectives from the start is essential for the company to manage a software development team effectively. We recommend that the company conduct regular sessions—either monthly or weekly—to review the project’s goals and deliverables. 

These should follow the SMART principles: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, ensuring all team members understand their individual tasks and how their work contributes to the project’s overall success.

The leader should define each team member’s roles and responsibilities while breaking down objectives into manageable milestones and deadlines to ensure effective progress tracking, early issue identification, and timely adjustments.

#3. Implement Robust Communication Practices

One of the biggest challenges with managing an offshore tech team is the lack of face-to-face interaction, which can be further complicated by communication and cultural differences. To overcome these hurdles, businesses need to implement strong communication strategies that ensure every team member is fully informed and avoids any misunderstandings.

• Establish dedicated communication channels & platforms: Use appropriate tools and platforms for real-time messaging, video calls, and formal email updates. If necessary, specify which platform should be used for different types of communication (e.g., project updates, urgent issues, team discussions).
• Schedule regular meetings: Arrange daily check-ins and weekly or monthly reviews to monitor progress, address issues, and synchronize goals. Given time-zone differences, ensure meetings have a clear agenda to remain productive and focused.

#4. Address Language and Cultural Barriers

Vietnamese developers are renowned for their resilience, professionalism, and loyalty. However, their cultural differences bring unique dynamics to the workplace that businesses should understand and respect.

• Adding Notes in Every Meeting: Even though Vietnamese developers can speak English, their proficiency is still not comparable to that of native speakers. Therefore, it’s essential to take detailed notes during every meeting and share them with the team so they can review key information afterward, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
• The ‘Saving Face’ Mindset: In Vietnamese work culture, hierarchy and respect for seniority are deeply ingrained. Developers often show deference to their seniors and avoid confrontation to preserve team harmony. 
• Balancing Work with a Laid-Back Approach: Vietnamese developers value balance in their workday, with break times and meals playing a significant role. It’s common to see them taking a short nap after lunch or extending professional relationships through dinner invitations.

Discover more insights: Vietnam Business Culture 101 Guide For Company Operation

#5. Cultivate a Positive Team Collaboration

Don’t overlook the importance of establishing a positive team culture to connect with your offshore development teams in Vietnam—after all, they are still your employees. By fostering strong collaboration, you can significantly boost their productivity to an all-time high.

• Encourage Teamwork and Knowledge-Sharing: Cultivate an atmosphere where team members actively share their expertise and experiences. This not only enriches the entire team but also builds trust and cohesion.
• Organize Team-Building Activities: Organizing happy hours, game parties, or collaborative projects outside of regular work tasks can be powerful in strengthening relationships with Vietnamese developers, making your team stronger and more connected to the company.

#6. Handle Non-Technical Tasks For The Software Development Team

Handling administrative tasks can be time-consuming and detract from your team’s focus on coding and project development. Assigning dedicated support for scheduling meetings, managing documentation, and coordinating communication can free up valuable time for developers, allowing them to concentrate on their core responsibilities.

• Human Resources Coordination: Managing non-technical aspects related to team well-being, such as leave requests, performance evaluations, and professional development opportunities, is crucial. A dedicated HR coordinator can handle these tasks, ensuring that your team’s needs are met without disrupting their development work.
• Onboarding and Training: The onboarding process for new hires is critical, but it can be a distraction for seasoned developers. A structured onboarding program that includes training on company policies, tools, and workflows can be managed by HR or a dedicated onboarding specialist. This approach ensures that new team members are well-integrated without taking experienced developers away from their primary tasks.

For more details: Why Choose Employer of Record Services for Managing Offshore Team

 #7. Monitor and Evaluate Performance

The role of employee satisfaction is not limited to high performance but also includes reinforcing company values and building brand reputation. Unfortunately, many companies fall short of properly showing appreciation.

Only 22% of employees were satisfied with their jobs, largely due to a lack of recognition, feeling undervalued, and unclear expectations. Such statistics highlight the urgent need for proactive measures to enhance team performance, especially for managing a software development team.

• Set key metrics: Two popular goal-setting frameworks that can be applied to your team are  Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). It is worth noting that these metrics should be measurable, relevant, and directly tied to outcomes. 
• Regular performance reviews: Frequent performance evaluations through quarterly reviews or regular check-ins help identify areas for improvement. Simultaneously, supporting self-assessment and peer reviews promotes a culture of continuous reflection to explore more growth opportunities.
• Recognition and support: Recognizing and rewarding high performance doesn’t just boost morale—it reinforces positive behaviors across your team. Show appreciation by celebrating both team and individual achievements through recognition programs, direct praise, and additional benefits.

Feeling overwhelmed by the process? Numerous organizations have found relief by delegating their HR functions to a trusted local HR service provider, simplifying management while ensuring desired outcomes.

4 Great Tools To Manage a Software Development Team in Vietnam

As mentioned above, one of the key factors in managing a software development team is ensuring that companies can communicate effectively with every team member at all levels. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of the top 4 management tools that work great for tech teams in Vietnam.

Read on: Top 5 Remote Working Tools For Offshore Tech Team

Conclusion

Effective team management is crucial for any successful tech project. When executed properly, it offers key benefits such as strategic alignment, optimized resource use, and consistently high-quality software deliverables. However, managing a software development team—particularly remote teams based in Vietnam—can be a challenging task.

Facing the same problem, Alfagomma, a global leader in hydraulic and industrial fluid handling systems, chose to rely on Talent JDI for their Vietnamese team management. Read their full story here.