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Difference Between Vietnamese Localization and Internationalization

In today’s interconnected world, businesses must adapt to cater to a diverse global audience. This adaptation often involves two key strategies: localization and internationalization.

When it comes to the Vietnamese market, understanding the difference between these two concepts is essential for any company looking to succeed. In this article, we will explore the difference between Vietnamese localization and internationalization.

1. Internationalization: A Global Perspective

Internationalization, often abbreviated as “i18n,” is the process of designing and developing a product, service, or content in a way that makes it easy to adapt to different languages, cultures, and regions. 

This approach involves creating a foundation that can accommodate various localizations without significant changes to the core structure. For instance, a software application designed for internationalization will have built-in support for multiple languages, character encodings, and date and time formats.

When applied to the Vietnamese context, internationalization ensures that a product is not tied to a single language or cultural environment. This is crucial for businesses that plan to expand their reach and engage with Vietnamese-speaking users both locally and across borders.

2. Localization: Tailoring to the Vietnamese Audience

Localization, abbreviated as “l10n,” is the process of adapting a product, service, or content to a specific target market or locale. In the case of Vietnam, localization means customizing your offering to match the unique preferences, culture, and language of the Vietnamese people. 

This may include translating text, modifying graphics, and adjusting design elements to make the product more appealing and user-friendly for the Vietnamese audience.

A well-executed localization strategy in Vietnam can involve localizating a website or mobile app into Vietnamese, using the appropriate currency and units of measurement, and incorporating culturally relevant imagery and symbols. It is about ensuring that your tangible product or intangible service  resonates with the local audience and feels native to them.

3. Key Differences: Internationalization and Localization

The primary difference between internationalization and localization lies in their scope and purpose. Internationalization focuses on creating a versatile framework that can be adapted to various languages and cultures, including Vietnamese. Vietnamese localization service, on the other hand, is the process of making specific adjustments for the Vietnamese market.

  • Internationalization is a proactive, long-term strategy: It allows for easier expansion into new markets, not limited to Vietnam, and makes it simpler to incorporate multiple languages in the future.
  • Localization is reactive and market-specific: It focuses on the precise needs and expectations of Vietnamese consumers, ensuring that the product or service feels tailored to their preferences.

In conclusion, understanding the distinction between Vietnamese localization and internationalization is crucial for businesses aiming to succeed in the Vietnamese market. 

Internationalization provides the foundation for expansion and adaptation, while localization ensures that your product or service is a perfect fit for the local audience. Both strategies are essential for global businesses looking to thrive in the culturally diverse and dynamic market of Vietnam.

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What makes VTLocalize different?

We are not the market dominance, we are not the pioneer of the industry, but we enjoy an amazing growth rate current years. For us, Localization and language services is all about you and your targeted audience experience, which are fast and seamless localization workflow, managed by strict industry standards, and flawless translation at the end of production process.

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WHAT SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT

Question 1: Is it possible if I just ask for proofreading services?

Yes! We offer proofreading service solely for all types of documents in more than 50 different languages.

Question 2: How much will you charge for a translation project?

We take many factors into consideration:

  • The number of pages of the document to be translated, in which specified page is 300 words or 300 characters depending on the language.
  • Language pairs: Some pairs are less common, so the service charge might be a little bit higher
  • Service required: Translation Only (TO) or Translation and Editing (TE), or Translation + Editing + Proofreading (TEP)
  • Industry expertise: The complexity of the required domain affects service charge also

Please contact us for a detail quotation.

Question 3: Do you offer video subtitling and dubbing services?

Yes.! Not only supporting subtitling and dubbing, but we also provide the service of typing verbal documents such as audio or video files.

Question 4: Do you support Image Translation?

Yes! We support translating documents from all PNG, JPG image files, and all types of documents from all files: pdf, docx, pptx, xlsx, etc. Applying optical character recognition technology in combination with latest CAT Tools, the image translation process has never been that easy.

Question 5: Will the translation be presented in proper format and retain the original structure?

For purpose of printing or publishing you may need, we provide DTP and Layout restoration services for documents using varied tools such as Adobe Framemaker, Indesign, Illustrator, Autocad to Powerpoint, Excel, etc. Under our post translation recovery process, we provide a translation with “as is” layout and be ready for high quality printing or online publishing.

Question 6: How will I receive the translation?

It depends on the your need for soft or hard copy documents. For the soft copy, we will email it to you. As for the hard copy, we will send express delivery to the correct address provided by the customer.

Question 7: When notarizing translation, I want to get multiple copies, will there be additional costs?

According to current regulations, notarized translations are not allowed to be copied, all version must be originals. So when you need additional originals, the cost will increase.

Question 8: How long will it take for my documents to be translated?

It depends on the volume, content types, required services, and other project-specific factors. But above all, your required deadline is the most important and we will rely on that to adjust the translation process and management schedule in order to keep up with preset deadline without any compromise upon quality.

Question 9: Can I request an urgent translation?

Yes! We do offer urgent translation services. Depending on specialization or length of the document, we will adjust our production team accordingly.

Question 10: What are your payment terms and methods?

We accept ATM transfers, e-banking, cash, or online payment via VISA/ MASTERCARD card, international payment services such as PAYPAL, PAYONEER, SKRILL, VEEM, etc.

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