CLUE 1: In Vietnam, the main means of transport is the moped – meaning everywhere is a potential ‘carpark’.
CLUE 2: In Vietnam, every road is literally heaving with people and transport every minute of every day.
CLUE 3: In Vietnam, there’s no such thing as a ’single dwelling home’
CLUE 4: Vietnam is a social place resulting in people spending more time ‘out of home’ than in it.
Well, have you got your answer yet?
It’s simple … if you’re a Vietnamese hairdresser without enough money to open a shop, what you do is …
ANSWER: Turn the street into your shop!
OK, I admit it … I looooooooooove Vietnam.
Apart from the fact the people, the culture and the history are so amazing, their ingenuity is what totally blows me away.
It doesn’t matter if it is on an individual scale or on a National scale … when the Vietnamese are faced with adversity, they unite and persevere till they find a way to achieve whatever it is they need to achieve – as demonstrated by their ability to overcome threats as diverse as the US Army and Avian Flu to name but two in their long history of overcoming aggressors.
This country truly embodies ‘Triumph Over [Any] Adversity’ which is maybe why cynic have decided to set up a company in Hanoi called ’The Smarts Lab’ … a Vietnamese co-operative [local people will be share holders in the venture] that helps major global organisations overcome business issues be it in manufacturing, production or distribution. [More details as I get them]
Seriously, for all the talk of creativity in business today – I am yet to see an organisation that can solve problems as amazingly, consistently and effectively as the people of Vietnam.