Celebrating International Men’s Day 2025: Why Gender Balance Benefits Every Workplace

GeneralNovember 07, 2025 13:58

Celebrating International Men’s Day 2025

Celebrating International Men’s Day 2025: Why Gender Balance Benefits Every Workplace

This article is written in English for readers in Vietnam. Vietnamese translations are available on our website.

A Day for Balance and Inclusion

Every year on November 19, the world observes International Men’s Day — a day to celebrate positive male role models, promote men’s well-being, and recognise the importance of gender balance in society and at work.

In Vietnam, conversations around workplace equality often focus (rightly) on empowering women.

But the growing dialogue around men’s mental health, family roles, and emotional well-being is now equally vital to achieving true inclusion.

Balanced workplaces — where both men and women feel supported, understood, and encouraged to thrive — are proven to perform better, retain talent longer, and create stronger leadership pipelines.

Why Men’s Well-Being Deserves Attention Too

The World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Report 2025 highlights that Vietnamese men are 1.5 times more likely than women to experience work-related stress or burnout, yet far less likely to seek help.

Key findings from UNFPA Vietnam and MoLISA 2025 reveal that:

  • 64% of male workers in Vietnam say they “rarely or never” discuss stress with colleagues.

  • 42% feel societal pressure to appear “strong” and not show emotion.

  • 58% believe work-life imbalance affects their health, but few take mental breaks.

This silence often leads to anxiety, burnout, and strained family relationships — all of which impact productivity and morale.

💬 “Supporting men’s mental health is not about reducing attention on women’s empowerment — it’s about building workplaces where empathy and understanding extend to everyone.”

📘 Related Reading: [Calm Work – How to Beat Year-End Burnout]

The Link Between Gender Balance and Business Success

Balanced representation and inclusive leadership improve performance, creativity, and trust.

The ILO Vietnam Gender Equality in the Workplace Report 2025 found that companies with gender-balanced teams:

  • Achieved 22% higher profitability,

  • Reported 30% greater innovation output, and

  • Enjoyed lower staff turnover by 19%.

Similarly, the LinkedIn Workplace Equality Insights 2025 shows that men in supportive environments are more likely to champion diversity policies, amplifying inclusion across teams.

These findings prove that equality isn’t just a moral issue — it’s a competitive advantage.

📘 Related Reading: [Beyond Pay: What Vietnamese Professionals Want in 2026]

Encouraging Healthy Masculinity and Mental Wellness

Forward-thinking Vietnamese companies are now promoting healthy masculinity — encouraging men to express emotions, seek help, and take active roles in family and caregiving.

Examples include:

  • Flexible paternity leave policies at Japanese and multinational firms in Vietnam.

  • Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) offering confidential counselling.

  • Well-being days and mindfulness workshops led by HR teams across APAC.

These initiatives foster empathy and break old stereotypes that equate masculinity with emotional suppression or overwork.

💡 Tip for Employers: Consider internal campaigns around “Balance is Strength” this November — encouraging staff (regardless of gender) to check in on their mental well-being.

How Vietnam’s Younger Workforce Is Redefining Equality

Gen Z and Millennial professionals in Vietnam are more vocal about equal partnership at home and at work.

The Reeracoen × Rakuten Insight APAC Workforce Whitepaper 2025 found that 68% of young professionals value workplaces that “acknowledge diverse life roles and family responsibilities for all genders.”

This shift is transforming HR strategies:

  • Companies are designing parental leave for both men and women.

  • Recruitment campaigns now highlight empathy, not just ambition.

  • Managers are being trained to spot burnout in all employees — not only women.

When companies adapt to this new definition of equality, they strengthen culture and retention.

Building Truly Balanced Workplaces

To build a gender-balanced culture, companies in Vietnam should:

✅ Review workplace policies for inclusivity (paternity leave, mental health coverage).
✅ Provide leadership training focused on empathy and communication.
✅ Celebrate both International Women’s Day (Mar 8) and International Men’s Day (Nov 19) equally.
✅ Encourage open dialogue around well-being, pressure, and balance.

A company that honours both male and female contributions builds a workforce that feels seen, supported, and motivated.

🔍 FAQ: International Men’s Day and Workplaces in Vietnam

Q1. Why is International Men’s Day relevant to employers?

It promotes mental health, diversity, and teamwork — all crucial for sustainable growth.

Q2. What is the theme for 2025?

“Balancing Strength and Support” — focusing on mental health, empathy, and positive masculinity.

Q3. How can companies in Vietnam celebrate it?

Host wellness talks, share internal appreciation posts, or organise charity runs supporting men’s health awareness.

Q4. How can HR include men in diversity initiatives?

Frame inclusion as everyone’s business — not just a women’s issue.

💼 For Employers: [Book a Consultation — Learn how to foster inclusive, gender-balanced teams in Vietnam.] <Insert Link>

👩‍💼 For Jobseekers: [Submit Your CV — Join companies that care about well-being, equality, and purpose.] <Insert Link>

✅ Final Author Credit

  • By Valerie Ong (Regional Marketing Manager, Reeracoen Vietnam) <VN – Change to Anna>

  • Published by Reeracoen Vietnam — a leading recruitment agency in APAC.

📚 References

🔗 Related Articles: 

  • Beyond Pay: What Vietnamese Professionals Want in 2026

  • Calm Work – How to Beat Year-End Burnout

  • What Gen Z in Vietnam Really Wants from Employers

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