Besides showcasing the company’s culture, a creative and open campus-style workplace can also inspire employees and significantly improve their productivity.

According to a global report on workplaces published by American consulting firm Gallup, it was revealed that 51% of respondents felt neither engaged nor connected to their respective companies. So how can the situation be improved? It should start with the workplace.

Separately, a survey conducted with members of the Forbes Finance Council highlighted that the majority of respondents agreed that a creative workplace can positively influence employees’ physical and mental health. It can also help increase productivity at work, through improved interaction and cooperation among employees, which in turn contributes to business growth.

Instead of investing in a traditional office concept, companies are now willing to invest their resources in creating an innovative workplace in order to attract and retain talents. An example of such a workplace is the campus-style integrated business park model that is gaining popularity in developed countries. It is defined as a complex construction with large green areas, integrating different businesses and commercial buildings, with lifestyle amenities such as entertainment and education centres, as well as shopping facilities. These business parks are also usually located in suburban areas, thereby allowing tenants to avoid the heavy traffic during rush hour.

Typical campus-style integrated business parks include Silicon Valley (USA), Cambridge Business Park (UK), International Business Park and Changi Business Park (Singapore), as well as International Tech Park Bangalore (India).

A brand-new campus-style integrated business park to be launched in Vietnam

Vietnam is also jumping on the global trend of campus-style office models as it recognises the growing demand for conducive workspaces that help improve productivity.

On Facebook, famous author Nguyen Ngoc Thach and entrepreneur Pham Thanh Hung – also known as Shark Hung – expressed their views on this trend.

Shark Hung shared that the campus-style office model has existed in Singapore for many years. He added: “Vietnam should have a similar model soon since this is an inevitable trend in the Industry 4.0 era. I am really looking forward to the establishment of this model in the future.”

According to a survey conducted by a reputable online Vietnamese newspaper in December 2018, over 70% of respondents rated their working environment as “lacking creativity”. 82% said they were willing to travel 10 minutes more every day from home to work in exchange for an innovative workplace, while the remaining 18% said they were not willing as they do not foresee this workplace model taking off in Vietnam soon. Mr Nguyen Ngoc Thach said he agreed with that sentiment as he would be unwilling to go to work if his workplace stifled creativity, regardless of its proximity to home.

"Doing creative writing requires an inspiring workplace!" explains Mr Nguyen Ngoc Thach. He also wondered when Vietnam would begin to adopt such office models.

Users on Facebook also expressed diverse opinions on the new workplace. Millennials seemed to have a vague definition of "workplace 4.0" or "campus-style office," while many others admitted that this is the first time they have heard of such an office model. Overall, many people are excited about the advantages that the new workplace model could bring.

Young people were excited to hear that the campus-style business park model will be established in Vietnam

Young people noted that they have long dreamt of working in such an inspiring office, and looked forward to the day when the campus-style office model would officially be launched in Vietnam.

Based on Shark Hung’s replies to fans on his personal Facebook page, users sensed that many big companies have already noticed the emergence of a brand-new campus-style integrated business park. Soon to begin operations in Vietnam, OneHub Saigon was chosen by IKEA Purchasing & Logistics Southeast Asia and AAH Corporation to house their corporate office. Such a decision has raised many young people’s expectations of a creative workplace model.

Office Tower 1 of OneHub Saigon was handed over on 1 November 2018

Spread across 12 hectares, OneHub Saigon comprises seven low-rise office towers, a mixed-use commercial block, an education centre, a futsal court and recreational amenities built with sustainable features.

OneHub Saigon is located at the gateway of Saigon High Tech Park in District 9, a fast-developing district of Ho Chi Minh City with well-planned infrastructure. Like other international business parks, OneHub Saigon is outside the central business district to help their employees avoid traffic during rush hour every morning and evening. By saving time and having less stress, office workers will be more productive and enjoy their daily work. The business park is designed to create a dynamic working community that meets the increasing demand of office workers for an international modern workplace. OneHub Saigon is a clear example to those who are still hesitating to travel a few more minutes for an inspiring office and exciting communities.