Work–life balance in Vietnam: How senior expats can reclaim their time

Vietnam offers a fast-paced professional landscape—especially in leadership roles. With rapid growth across tech, education, manufacturing, and consulting sectors, the country is an exciting place to do business. But for expat executives, the pressure to perform in an unfamiliar culture can easily erode any sense of balance.

Too often, work takes over. Long hours, time zone juggling, weekend Zoom calls with headquarters back home, and managing culturally diverse teams can feel like a treadmill you can’t step off. Meanwhile, family, health, and social connection quietly slip down the list.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Vietnam also offers countless ways to support wellbeing—if you make space for them. Think lakeside cafés in Hanoi, sunrise beach walks in Da Nang, yoga in Thao Dien, and vibrant weekend markets that reconnect you to real life. The trick is intentionality.

Work–life balance isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing what matters most. For leaders, this often requires reframing success: less about hours logged, more about clarity, delegation, boundaries, and rest. This is where coaching plays a vital role—helping you pause, prioritise, and redesign your daily rhythm to match your values.

Looking for tools? Try Balance Health Vietnam for integrative wellness, or explore coworking spaces like The Hive and Toong that offer not just productivity but community. And if you’re in HCMC, the green spaces of Tao Đàn Park provide quiet reflection away from screens.

Five takeaways:

1. Work–life imbalance is common among expat leaders—but it’s not inevitable.
2. Vietnam offers cultural and natural resources that support restoration.
3. Boundaries and priorities—not just time off—are the foundation of true balance.
4. Coaching can help leaders realign life and work intentionally.
5. A well-lived life abroad improves professional performance, not hinders it.

Five “Do This” actions:

1. Audit your calendar—highlight what energises vs. drains you.
2. Block out non-negotiable rest time each week, even if it’s just two hours.
3. Identify one activity in Vietnam (e.g. language learning, tai chi, day trips) that nurtures you personally.
4. Communicate clear working hours to colleagues across time zones.
5. Book a coaching session to explore how to lead without burnout.

To book a session, please email me with a few times that work for you. Once we’ve agreed on a time, I’ll send you a calendar invite. If you prefer a faster option, I can also give you access to my private booking calendar.

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More support for your expat journey in Vietnam:

• How to adapt to culture shock without losing yourself
• Leading Vietnamese teams with confidence
• Finding the right school for your children
• Protecting your mental health as an expat
• Work–life balance tips for senior expats