ESUHAI Co., Ltd.
ESUHAI Group Founder ・ CEO
Le Long Son
interview=Ken Mitsui | Text=Aya Rikitake | Photographs=Kohei Nishiyama
To be a company that connects Japanese companies and Vietnamese talent for generations to come.
ESUHAI, a company specializing in training, dispatch, recruitment, and facilitating the acceptance of Vietnamese talent, has developed a unique training curriculum tailored to the needs of Japanese companies. This curriculum has played a significant role in transforming the work habits and mindset of Vietnamese personnels. We interviewed the company's CEO, Mr. Le Long Son, about this original training program and his vision for the business.
Aiming to Impart Japan’s Advanced Manufacturing Technologies to the Vietnamese People
―First, could you please share some background about yourself as the founder of Esuhai?
I studied in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and graduated in 1994. At that time, Vietnam was just beginning to open up to foreign-affiliated companies, and there were very few companies involved in machine tools or precision machinery. I had a strong interest in working in mold manufacturing, and since Japan was a global leader in mechanical technology, I decided to pursue further studies in Japan. In 1995, I came to Japan as an international student, and in 2000, I completed my master’s program at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.
During my time as a student, I worked part-time as an interpreter for Vietnamese technical intern trainees and visited several small and medium-sized factories. I realized that, regardless of their size, these companies possessed remarkable technologies, embodying the kind of manufacturing environment I aspired to be part of. Until then, I had assumed that, as a university graduate, I wouldn’t engage in blue-collar work, but I came to understand that the work I truly wanted was in manufacturing plants. This experience showed me that for those seeking to learn manufacturing technologies, becoming a technical intern trainee in Japan was a viable path—one that didn’t require overcoming the high personal and financial hurdles of attending a Japanese university and then securing a job at a Japanese company.
Inspired by this, I wanted to create opportunities for people who wished to learn technical skills to easily come to Japan. After completing my master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2000, I chose not to pursue a Ph.D. Instead, I accepted a position with the organization where I had previously worked part-time as an interpreter, helping Vietnamese technical intern trainees enter and work in Japan.
When I began offering support, I realized that many Vietnamese people coming to Japan as laborers were primarily focused on earning an income rather than acquiring new skills. However, I saw it as a missed opportunity not to take advantage of Japan’s advanced skill development while also earning money. This inspired me to create a company that supports Vietnamese individuals who are motivated to learn. In 2005, I returned to Vietnam and, in 2006, founded Esuhai, a company dedicated to training and preparing Vietnamese personnels for Japanese companies. Esuhai Japan was established in 2019, and that brings us to where we are today.
―Next, could you please tell us about your company’s business activities.
Esuhai Group works in coordination with Esuhai Japan to offer comprehensive solutions for training and developing Vietnamese personnels in Japanese companies. In addition to dispatch and recruitment services, we provide support in human resources management, legal affairs, compliance, and other related areas.
To become a company that provides sustainable recruitment solutions to Japanese companies for the next 100 years, we have developed our unique ‘Japan-Vietnam Talent Circulation Ecosystem.’ Along with training programs tailored for Japanese businesses, we also conduct training within Vietnam. Our services include specialized talent recruitment, dispatch, engineer development, and consulting on the acceptance of Vietnamese valuable talents. Our ultimate goal is to increase the number of skilled individuals who can excel in both Japan and Vietnam.
Our Unique ‘Standing Training’ Program is Specifically Tailored for the Predominantly Standing Work Environment in Japan.
―At the time of the company’s establishment, were there many options for Japanese-language education or training for working in Japan?
At the time of our company’s establishment, there were sending-business organizations, but very few educational companies. Most participants in the current Technical Intern Training Program are primarily focused on earning money, so it is often sufficient for these organizations to simply send them abroad. In contrast, our approach involves ensuring that candidates acquire a certain level of Japanese language skills, knowledge about living in Japan, and business manners before their departure. This focus on comprehensive preparation led to a gradual increase in inquiries about our services.
―Nowadays, there are indeed many educational and training institutions for working in Japan, aren’t there?
Looking back, we might have been pioneers in the education system. For instance, our ‘Standing Training,’ which we introduced in 2008, was our own innovation. In Japan, factory and customer service work often requires standing for long periods, a practice not common in Vietnam, where people are less accustomed to standing for extended periods during work. To help them adjust, we developed training to prepare for long hours standing.
We also provide dietary guidance as part of our training. While Vietnamese cuisine is typically healthy and well-balanced, in Japan, where vegetables are more expensive, many Vietnamese people working in Japan might end up eating primarily cheap chicken. We emphasize the importance of maintaining a balanced diet despite these challenges. Additionally, we offer practical knowledge for living in Japan, including money management skills.
―From the perspective of hiring companies, it is certainly beneficial to have employees
who come with a basic understanding of living essentials already in place.
Basic knowledge of life is also required by companies. In the past, there was a high demand for specialized skills like welding, but with the automation of manufacturing processes today, there is now a greater emphasis on understanding Japanese-specific concepts such as service mentality, attentiveness, and reading the atmosphere.
Hoping They Work Not Just for the Money but to Learn About Japanese Technology and Culture
―Could you please tell us about the business that you are currently focusing on the most.
Rather than focusing solely on our own business, we have consistently prioritized improving labor conditions in Vietnam since our founding. The ‘ESU’ in ‘ESUHAI’ stands for ‘S,’ and ‘HAI’ represents ‘two.’ The ‘S’ reflects the shape of Japan and Vietnam, both resembling the letter ‘S’ on a flat map. ‘HAI’ symbolizes the synergy between the two countries, Japan and Vietnam, and conveys the idea of “squared” or multiplied effect.. Simply providing dispatch or training workers does not fully achieve our objective of ensuring that Vietnamese individuals can work comfortably in Japan long-term while developing their careers. We believe it is essential to create synergistic effects by expanding various business initiatives to meet our goals.
Although Japan and Vietnam are similar in terms of area and population, their age demographics differ significantly. Japan is experiencing a declining birthrate and an aging population, while Vietnam has a high proportion of young people. Despite this, Vietnam’s industrial development has not kept pace, leading to a shortage of well-established job opportunities for acquiring solid skills. Additionally, while many companies are sending Vietnamese workers to Japan, there are few institutions that provide the knowledge necessary for adapting to life in Japan and working comfortably. Therefore, we continue to support a win-win relationship between personnels and host companies.
―What are the key characteristics and challenges associated with Vietnamese human resources?
In Vietnam, the general income level is relatively low, leading many people to seek better-paying jobs. However, job opportunities within Vietnam are limited, and working abroad requires a certain level of language skills and knowledge about the destination country. While many Vietnamese speak English and can find employment in Western countries, these countries typically use job-based employment, where employees may be dismissed if their skills are no longer needed. In contrast, Japan employs a membership-based approach, where companies invest in developing their employees if they are motivated. Personally, I believe Japan’s membership-based working style is a remarkable culture, and I aim to share the excellence of Japanese technology and culture with Vietnamese people to increase their awareness.
Currently, many Vietnamese people spend their entire lives without ever leaving their birthplace. They miss out on countless experiences and vistas simply because they haven’t taken the step to explore other regions or countries. I have dedicated my business to providing these individuals with opportunities to experience a broader range of experiences, believing that everyone should have the chance to see and explore more of the world.
On the other hand, the wage gap between Japan and Vietnam is gradually narrowing, so the notion that “you can earn more by going to Japan” is no longer as valid as it was when we first started. More Vietnamese are now going abroad with the aim of skill development. The nature of Vietnamese labor is shifting from simply being a means to earn money to a focus on acquiring knowledge and experience. I hope many Vietnamese will come to Japan not just for financial reasons, but to learn about technology and experience a different culture.
―Compared to the time of your company’s founding, countries like China and South Korea have made remarkable advancements in technology and experienced significant wage increases. Has the number of people wanting to work in Japan decreased as a result?
In terms of numbers, the interest in working in Japan has not decreased. We believe our position will remain stable for the foreseeable future, and our strategy is to continue developing alongside Japanese companies for the benefit of future generations. In fact, as a commitment to ensuring the longevity of our business, we have updated our logo to include the infinity symbol. This symbol also represents the superimposing of ‘S’s.
―Lastly, could you provide a message for companies considering accepting Vietnamese workers?
Many people focus on academics during their student years but find themselves facing practical challenges when they enter the workforce. For instance, if a newly hired engineer is asked to ‘serve tea to a customer,’ they might think, ‘Since I joined as an engineer, serving tea is not part of my job.’ The first ten years after graduation can feel like attending a “school of society.” Social education, as well as developing experience and skills, is essential. I believe it takes until the age of 30 to become a fully-fledged professional. We are committed to the role of nurturing Vietnamese youth during this “school of society” period, as they develop within Japanese society and companies.
ESUHAI Co., Ltd.
40/12-40/16 Ap Bac Street, Ward 13, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
https://jp.esuhai.vn
Established in 2006, we provide education, training, development, and dispatch for Vietnamese human resources. Additionally, we offer comprehensive consulting services for companies looking to expand into Vietnam.
Graduating from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, he came to Japan in 1995 and completed his master’s program in Mechanical Engineering at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology in 2000. With a strong desire to contribute to the development of both countries by helping Vietnamese talent acquire skills, technology, and cultural knowledge in Japan, he founded his business in 2001.
In 2006, he established ESUHAI Co., Ltd. and the KAIZEN Japanese Language School. In 2017, ESUHAI was recognized with an award from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs of Vietnam, and received a six-star certification from the Vietnam Association of Manpower Supply (VAMAS).
