Challenges and transformation
In 2025, the business landscape in Vietnam is facing unprecedented challenges, as mentioned in Anphabe's Vietnam Excellence Awards 2025 report.
Market volatility, radical restructuring, and rapid workforce mobility are forcing businesses to rethink and change their operating models. Amidst this upheaval, one important thing has become clear: Sustainable success depends not only on strategy, but also on how organizations empower and value their people. Forward-thinking businesses are embracing digital transformation, flexible work models, and wellness, while redefining leadership roles to drive resilience and growth.
BAT Vietnam - pioneering journey
BAT Vietnam is not only adapting to change but also driving transformation with an inclusive and purpose-driven approach. Through decisive leadership and a commitment to engagement, BAT Vietnam is building a culture where every individual can thrive.
BAT Vietnam’s transformation began with a candid conversation. Led by BAT Vietnam CEO Daniel Hsu, the Vietnam management team committed to leading with authenticity, empathy and shared purpose. This commitment was formalized into a people leadership commitment, redefining leadership as a shared mission to develop people alongside business growth. At BAT Vietnam, people leadership is no longer just an HR function, but has become an integral part of BAT Vietnam’s operations.
This commitment is realized through Line of Sight events, which encourage all employees to participate in the strategic planning process. BAT Vietnam’s annual conferences help the entire team understand business priorities, while allowing each department to empower middle managers to work with leaders to set goals, promote ownership in work and transparency in the organization, ensuring that every voice contributes to shaping the future of BAT Vietnam.
Inclusive culture - the core of BAT Vietnam
At BAT Vietnam, inclusion is not just a policy, but an identity of the business. By 2024, BAT Vietnam will have 47% of management positions held by women. This is driven by a rigorous human resources plan, talent development programs and inclusion training courses completed by 100% of managers such as: Mastering inclusion and respect in the workplace.
Developmental conversations – including life stage interviews – have helped personalize employee experiences and development by aligning careers with employees’ work and personal priorities at each stage of their lives. More than 150 of these conversations have yielded real results, such as flexible policies for employees with young children, local development opportunities for managers who cannot relocate to other locations, and international assignments tailored to individual capabilities.
BAT Vietnam adopts a holistic view of performance, integrating business and people goals. Middle managers are coached through people development conversations and transparent assessments, ensuring that each employee understands their value and growth potential. The artificial intelligence learning platform called Grid, along with the Talent Marketplace platform, provides personal development paths and connects employees with global projects. By 2024, BAT Vietnam will achieve the highest activation rate on these platforms in the region, reflecting the team's spirit of rising up when given the right opportunities.
BAT Vietnam's competency development orientation is implemented systematically. Competency assessment for each role helps guide individual development paths. By 2024, BAT Vietnam will have 10% of its employees promoted and 20% rotated, emphasizing its commitment to valuing each employee's career. BAT Vietnam becomes a global talent center, nurturing leaders ready for international positions, while attracting a diverse talent pool to the domestic market.
Impact and future
These efforts have helped BAT Vietnam achieve an 89% satisfaction rate in diversity and inclusion surveys, far exceeding industry standards, creating a working environment where every individual sees a clear path to development.
At BAT Vietnam, leadership is about presence, not title. From factory engagement activities to on-site training sessions, leaders at all levels demonstrate authenticity. Initiatives like Happy Hours, cultural diversity days and half-days of wellness leave are not just perks, but evidence of the belief that performance is best when people feel safe, respected and supported.
Led by Daniel Hsu, a leader who was honored in the YouTube-supported Empower Role Model Lists, BAT Vietnam has become a beacon of inclusion. Daniel’s efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment and support sustainable livelihoods for farmers have extended the commitment to diversity and inclusion beyond the company, towards contributing to the community and in line with BAT Group’s “A Better Tomorrow” vision.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/bat-viet-nam-duoc-vinh-danh-lanh-dao-phat-trien-con-nguoi-tai-giai-thuong-lanh-dao-xuat-sac-viet-nam-excellence-2025-705734.html
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