My Southeast Asia Ventures: My work at a hypermarket chain in Vietnam has been challenging. Learning the language and local culture helped
Mr Branson Koh Ze Yang, 30, is the deputy director of e-commerce and operations at Co.op Xtra. He is passionate about the fast-moving consumer goods segment and the digital landscape in Vietnam.
In this instalment, Mr Branson Koh, 30, who works for a hypermarket chain in Vietnam, describes how the language barrier caused tension between him and his co-workers
They eventually welcomed him into their community, thanks to his effort in learning Vietnamese and weathering the pandemic with them
I began working in Vietnam in 2020 after being seconded to Co.op Xtra, a hypermarket chain in Ho Chi Minh City which is a joint venture between Vietnamese retailer Saigon Co.op and Singapore’s NTUC FairPrice
Previously, I held roles in operations and digitalisation under the FairPrice’s management associate programme
I accepted the offer since I figured that working overseas will broaden my horizons, and I will be seconded there until mid-2024
