As Vietnam’s workforce and business environment continue to evolve, organizations are rethinking what truly drives sustainable performance. Beyond strategy and execution, long-term growth depends on whether people feel trusted to take ownership, supported to grow, and empowered to contribute fully.
This was one of the key themes at Work the Nordic Way 2026 hosted by NordCham Vietnam on May 21, where business leaders explored how Nordic values such as trust, empowerment, collaboration, and flatter organizational structures are being adapted within Vietnam’s changing workplace landscape.
Among the speakers were senior leaders from Carlsberg Vietnam, including Andrew Khan, Managing Director, and Đặng Trần Ngọc Ngân, Senior Director, People & Culture, who shared how the company is building a Growth Culture rooted in trust, collaboration, people development, and DE&I to create stronger teams and a more resilient organization.
Building high-performing teams through trust, empowerment and people-first leadership.
During the panel discussion "The Structuring Success: How Nordic Companies Build High-Performing Teams," Andrew Khan, Managing Director of Carlsberg Vietnam reflected on how Growth Culture has long been embedded in Carlsberg Group and Vietnam’s DNA, shaping how teams move with speed, staying passionate to consumers, and leading with positive energy.
Drawing from Nordic leadership values, Andrew shared that strong organizations do not become more efficient by adding more control and layers. They become faster when teams have clarity, trust, and enough room to operate.
"Growth Culture is not something we put on slides; it’s how we work every day," Andrew shared. "When people feel trusted and empowered, they move faster, take greater ownership, and solve problems earlier. That creates stronger teams and ultimately a more resilient organization."
Growth Culture is also closely connected to how Carlsberg Vietnam approaches DE&I and future-ready leadership. For the company, DE&I is not viewed simply as representation, but as part of building broader perspectives, stronger collaboration, and a workplace where people feel empowered to contribute and grow.
Across the Carlsberg Group, the ambition is to reach 42% women in senior leadership roles by 2032 and Vietnam is on the right track towards that goal.
In 2025, the company officially signed the Women’s Empowerment Principles established by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, reinforcing gender equality through talent development and succession planning. Earlier this year, Carlsberg Vietnam also launched SHELeads – a women leadership community designed to strengthen confidence, build up capability, and connection among future-ready female leaders.
Creating a Growth culture where people can develop
Speaking at the fireside chat "The Future of Work in a Changing Vietnam: From Nordic Insights to Local Practice," Dang Tran Ngoc Ngan - Senior Director, People & Culture of Carlsberg Vietnam highlighted how workforce expectations are shifting. Employees today are not only looking for better jobs, but for better work lives, with greater focus on flexibility, well-being, growth and a stronger sense of purpose.
She shared that Growth Culture at Carlsberg Vietnam is about creating an environment where people feel empowered, supported and able to reach their full potential. This includes continuous efforts to design meaningful employee experiences and strengthen well-being across physical, mental and financial aspects.
In 2025 alone, more than 1,000 employees participated in well-being initiatives, many of which were designed and led by employees themselves through internal well-being committees. This reflects an approach where culture is built not only for employees, but with employees.
According to Ngân, while Nordic values such as trust and empowerment resonate strongly in Vietnam, they need to be applied with cultural understanding.
"Trust is the foundation of everything, from engagement to building high-performing teams," she shared. "When people feel psychologically safe, they are more willing to speak up, raise challenges early, try new approaches and contribute to a stronger workplace."
Building this trust in a local context requires open communication, sensitivity to cultural dynamics, and creating safe spaces where employees feel comfortable sharing different perspectives and learning from mistakes.
As reflected in discussions at Work the Nordic Way 2026, the future of work may depend less on hierarchy and more on creating inclusive environments where people feel trusted to grow, contribute, and solve challenges together.
For Carlsberg Vietnam, this belief continues to shape how the company develops its people, leadership, and culture, in line with its purpose of Brewing for a better today and tomorrow.
