In fast-developing countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and even the moderately developed China, interpretation is an important industry that helps drive trade and economic development. In Vietnam in particular where export has recently surged up to nearly 100% of GDP, interaction with foreign businesses and investors plays a crucial role in driving business transactions and creating jobs.
In this light, Saigon Times and RMIT University has organized the seminar: Interpreting Personnel: How to find qualified interpreters? in Pullman Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City.
Apparently, companies are facing many challenges of finding and ensuring qualified interpreters. According to Ho Chi Minh City’s Labor Department, there are currently 1,000 professional interpreters currently working in the field but the needs are more than that.
According to ManPower Vietnam, currently, they have more than 1,200 posts of interpretation/translation jobs per year, and many of them are unmet. In particular, Samsung Vietnam has expressed that they can only find 50% qualified interpreters for their needs. While there are many schools offering interpretation and translation courses (in Ho Chi Minh City every year there are 300 students graduating from Japanese studies, 300 for Korean studies, and 500 for Chinese studies), these talents often have difficulty connecting with the clients looking for interpreters.
Another difficulty is that the interpretation manpower is not well equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge for the event. Mr. Phạm Xuân Hoàng Ân, a seasoned Vietnamese – English interpreter, shared his 4 key factors for an interpreter to success at any interpretation event.
1. Understanding of the topic in one’s native language