“My company always organizes a trip for its workers once each year, on the occasion of the company’s establishment, or in summer. And teambuilding activities are always included in the trips’ programs,” T said.

Though T wanted to visit Nha Trang, the place of wonderful beaches, she still decided to turn down the free tour. “I feel tired of useless games which affect both my physical and mental health,” she explained.

“The HR Director says teambuilding is a good activity which helps connect the staff of the company and helps liberate workers’ energy,” she said. “Many of my colleagues also say they hate the useless activities."

“In fact, teambuilding is not bad, but it is the unprofessional organizers who spoil the activities,” T said. 

T and her co-workers once participated in a game in which players were asked to pop balloons with their chests and transfer fruits with their mouths. Many workers refused to do this as they felt uncomfortable when having body contact with other people.

Other workers accepted to play the games because the HR director asked them to play, but they did not feel happy. 

“The HR Director may think that you are not active when communicating with colleagues or that you oppose the teambuilding culture which, by nature, aims at connecting co-workers,” T said.

At the age of 42, T isn't interested in participating in games which don’t fit her age. The games require constant movement and touch with colleagues, and are just for fun.

“I am not sure if comradeship can be strengthened thanks to the games, but I am sure that my family may be hurt because of the teambuilding activities,” she said.

H, 38, in HCM City, said though she looks forward to traveling every summer for 3-4 days, she would refuse the tours if teambuilding activities are included in the trips’ programs.

“For me, there are only two choices. One, registering to join the trips. Second, refusing teambuilding activities. There is no third choice – joining the trips but refusing the activities,” H said.

H said some of her colleagues once fell into embarrassing situations when participating in collective games. She recalled a trip during which she caught a fever because she participated in teambuilding games at noon, but still had to sing a song at the evening party.

“I cannot understand why we have to do play tug of war and jump rope under the scorching sun and the summer heat of 37-38oC. All of us sweated profusely and one of us fainted because of sunstroke."

In general, HR division designs activities for every trip, including evening parties, sightseeing, teambuilding activities and visits to attractions. Because of the busy schedules, many people feel tired, not relaxed as expected.

H said that in theory, workers don’t have to work during holidays, but in fact she has to bring her laptop and be ready to work at any time during the process.

She believes that only young and unmarried staff feel excited about teambuilding activities. Other workers, especially females, are afraid of teambuilding.

Some analysts say teambuilding is a form of business culture imported from other countries which helps staff be more communicative and improves teamwork.

However, many Vietnamese workers don’t think so and believe that teambuilding can do more harm than good.

C., a division head at a Hanoi-based company, said teambuilding activities may trigger a war among workers. 

“When playing games, everyone wants to become winners and get high prizes in cash. In many cases, winners become estranged from the losers,” C said. “Instead of becoming united, workers may become isolated."

However, C said one cannot deny the benefits of teambuilding if the activities can be organized in the right way. Organizing boards need to design a reasonable program and remove unnecessary items which may tire workers.

On online tourism forums, some office workers have said that teambuilding doesn’t always have to include strenuous physical games. Instead, companies can organize simple games, creating opportunities for people to meet and communicate. And outdoor games should only last 1-2 hours and be organized when weather conditions are good. 

Thao Trinh