Vietnamese Teachers’ Day 2025: What Corporate Leaders Can Learn from Educators

This article is written in English for readers in Vietnam.

Vietnamese translations are available on our website. 

1. Celebrating the Spirit of Learning and Mentorship

Every year on November 20, Vietnam celebrates Teachers’ Day — a deeply respected national occasion that honours the people who dedicate their lives to education and personal growth.

Across the country, students reunite with mentors, present flowers, and share gratitude for guidance that extends far beyond classrooms.

But learning doesn’t stop at school gates. In today’s fast-evolving workplaces, the same spirit that drives great teachers — patience, empathy, and continuous development — is exactly what modern leaders need to inspire and retain their teams.

2. From Classrooms to Boardrooms: Shared Principles of Great Mentors

The Gallup Workplace Learning Report 2025 shows that managers who act as coaches rather than supervisors improve employee engagement by 35 percent and reduce turnover by 20 percent.

Just like teachers, effective leaders today:

• Listen first, instruct second. They tailor feedback to individual needs.

• Encourage curiosity. They reward questions, not just answers.

• Foster growth mindsets. They see mistakes as learning opportunities.

These behaviours build trust and confidence — two qualities every Vietnamese employee values deeply, according to Reeracoen × Rakuten Insight APAC Workforce Whitepaper 2025.

📘 Related Reading: [Cracking Retention in Vietnam 2026 – Onboarding Matters]

3. Why Mentorship Matters More Than Ever in Vietnam’s Talent Market

Vietnam’s economy is growing at a projected 6.2 percent in 2025, and with that growth comes fierce competition for talent.

Yet many professionals cite a lack of mentorship as the top reason for job dissatisfaction.

• 58% of Vietnamese employees say they have no structured mentoring at work.

• 73% of Gen Z workers prefer “learning from a mentor” over online training. (LinkedIn Learning SEA Report 2025)

This gap presents a major opportunity for organisations. By introducing coaching frameworks — pairing experienced employees with younger ones — companies can strengthen engagement and succession pipelines.

💡 Tip for Employers: Create quarterly “Teach & Share” sessions where department heads guide younger staff through real project lessons.

📘 Related Reading: [Building Resilient Teams – Adaptability in 2026 Workplaces]

4. Lessons Corporate Leaders Can Learn from Educators

Lesson	From Teachers	Applied in Business
1. Nurture Curiosity	Encourage students to ask “why”	Empower staff to question and innovate
2. Personalize Learning	Adapt lessons to different learning styles	Tailor training to employee strengths
3. Give Constructive Feedback	Praise effort and improvement	Focus feedback on growth, not failure
4. Foster Belonging	Build classroom community	Promote team trust and inclusion
5. Celebrate Progress	Recognize milestones	Reward skill development and initiative

These parallels show that leadership today isn’t just about directing — it’s about developing.

5. The Power of Lifelong Learning in Vietnam’s Economy

Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) and Ministry of Labour (MoLISA) have repeatedly emphasised that lifelong learning is essential for workforce readiness.

In 2025, the government launched new policies encouraging partnerships between schools, corporations, and training institutes to bridge skill gaps in AI, automation, and ESG fields.

According to McKinsey’s Future of Work Southeast Asia Report, nearly 12 million workers in Vietnam will need to reskill or upskill by 2030 to stay competitive.

This makes mentorship — not just technical training — an urgent corporate priority. Companies that blend formal learning with human guidance are the ones building resilient, future-ready teams.

📘 Related Reading: Vietnam Hiring Trends 2026 – Sectors to Watch as FDI Rises

6. Bringing Teachers’ Day Values Into the Workplace

As Vietnam honours its educators this November, companies can also celebrate the “teachers” within their teams — the mentors, coaches, and managers who shape professional growth every day.

Ways to celebrate the spirit of Teachers’ Day at work:

• Send appreciation notes to internal mentors and team leads.

• Host a “Learning at Work” week with peer-led workshops.

• Recognise L&D champions during monthly meetings.

• Invite guest educators or coaches to speak about resilience and lifelong learning.

These gestures strengthen company culture and reinforce the message that “growth never stops.”

🔍 FAQ: Teachers’ Day and Mentorship in the Workplace

Q1. Why should companies recognise Teachers’ Day?

It’s an opportunity to celebrate continuous learning and strengthen mentor culture.

Q2. How can managers apply teaching techniques at work?

Through active listening, constructive feedback, and goal-setting that inspires progress.

Q3. What’s the biggest leadership lesson from teachers?

Empathy — understanding individual motivations and helping people learn at their own pace.

Q4. How does mentorship improve retention?

It builds loyalty and emotional connection — key factors for keeping top talent in Vietnam’s competitive market.

✅ 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

• Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) Vietnam 2025 Lifelong Learning Policy

• Gallup Workplace Learning Report 2025

• LinkedIn Learning SEA Report 2025

• McKinsey Future of Work Southeast Asia Report 2025

• Reeracoen × Rakuten Insight APAC Workforce Whitepaper 2025

• MoLISA Labour Skills Forecast 2025

🔗 Related Articles: 

• Cracking Retention in Vietnam 2026 – Onboarding Matters

• Building Resilient Teams – Adaptability in 2026 Workplaces

• Vietnam Hiring Trends 2026 – Sectors to Watch as FDI Rises