Belgium’s IWG taps into growing demand for hybrid working in Vietnam

December 02, 2022 | 11:22
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IWG, a Belgian provider of flexible workspaces, has inked a deal with a Vietnamese partner to secure a stronger footprint in the nation's hybrid working sector.
Belgium’s IWG taps into the growing demand for hybrid working in Vietnam

On November 30, IWG signed a new partnership agreement with SD Group to open two new workspaces in Long Bien district of Hanoi. They will offer more than 7,000 square metres of space in a rapidly growing, mixed-use development with luxury housing and high-end amenities. With a 5th-floor view and rooftop garden, the centres are well located close to transport hubs and major highways.

The new centre is expected to meet the growing demand for hybrid working solutions with the model being particularly popular with businesses. Specifically, the hybrid working model provides greater flexibility as companies are not tied into long, expensive leases. It also gives employees access to first-class facilities and a network of locations globally.

The concept of hybrid working – where employees split their time between locations – is not new. It was not common in pre-COVID Vietnam but is now growing exponentially.

Mark Dixon, CEO and founder of IWG said, “We are establishing a stronger and much-needed footprint in Hanoi with this latest opening. As an important business hub, Hanoi is a fantastic place for us to boost our expansion plans. The need for high-quality, flexible workspaces continues to soar as hybrid working becomes the new normal.”

“Our opening in Hanoi comes at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible working boosts employee satisfaction while also helping the environment. Our workplace model is proven to increase productivity and allows a business to scale up or down at significantly reduced costs,” he added.

IWG is operating 3,500 locations in 120 countries with members able to access all of the locations and business services via the IWG app. The company is adding a further 1,000 locations over the next year and already counts 83 per cent of Fortune 500 companies among its customer base. Vietnam is one of the key markets where IWG is accelerating its presence.

SD Group chairman Nguyen Dang Tuan said, “The flexible workspace business has been one of the fastest growing industries in the world recently. In the same way that Uber and Grab are strongly competing with traditional taxis, flexible offices will eventually become the first choice for businesses instead of the traditional office model.”

“To enter such a rapidly growing market, choosing an industry-leading partner who understands market needs and owns a sales platform is essential. That’s why we chose to join forces with IWG," added Tuan.

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By Thanh Van

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