Now Onboarding: New Hires On Why Vietcetera And Why Now
We asked three female leaders what brought them to Vietcetera, what they're roles are within the organization, and what their first impressions are.
Ruby Nguyen COO, Thuy Minh Content Director, Tra My Nguyen Hanoi Bureau Chief
In the past few months, we welcomed three accomplished female leaders to the Vietcetera family. With ties to Vietnam’s media, communications and advertising industries, the new joiners are fearless, inspirational and determined to help Vietcetera remain distinctive and visible.
We ask them what paths brought them to Vietcetera, how they see their roles within the organization and what their first impressions are.
Ruby Nguyen, COO
Ruby Nguyen, COO of Vietcetera— A market growth strategist and an aspiring poet
The first impressions have been great! I’m loving the young energy in the office and how international we are. The team is extremely passionate about finding new ways to tell stories from Vietnam and always striving to write better.
I’ve been a keen reader of Vietcetera for quite some time and what I’ve always liked about the platform is that the content the team puts out is not merely informative, but it aims to improve the quality of life for the people of Vietnam. I feel that as an organization we are uniquely positioned to give people quality content about the new Vietnam while exposing Vietnamese readers to new global ideas.
My role as the COO is to help integrate all our systems into one comprehensive strategy to maximize Vietcetera's growth in terms of having more readers, more quality content and more business. I like the spirit, I like the content and I like where we are headed. It’s a great company and I am excited to be part of it!
Ta Thuy Minh, Content Director
Ta Thuy Minh, Content Director with Vietcetera — A writer and a long-time fan
Vietcetera has been in my sights pretty much since the day they launched. What they were doing was so refreshing and I really wanted to join the team to run video production for them. I initially wanted to nominate myself for the video content production team, but since Vietcetera was English-only at the time, my proposal was not “picked up” by the co-founders (laughs). When they switched to a Vietnamese-first platform, I reached out to Vietcetera again, this time “pitching” myself for the role of Content Director.
I still remember that moment very clearly – when it dawned on me that my family’s plan to relocate to Bali will be delayed due to covid. This feeling of being ‘trapped’ was what forced me to face the question of what career path truly makes me happy. Is it working for a big corporation? Or does my heart yearn for a place where I truly feel content? The moment I knew the answer, I picked up the phone and messaged Hao (a co-founder of Vietcetera). And now, here I am!
When talking to the team, what I found very endearing was that many of them joined as interns and when given the opportunity to grow, decided to stay as full-time employees. I like that about Vietcetera a lot.
Joining now as Content Director, my role is broader than just overseeing video production. I will be working with both the editorial and video production teams to develop and implement editorial strategies making sure editorial and business goals are aligned.
Tra My Nguyen, Hanoi Bureau Chief
Tra My Nguyen, Hanoi Bureau Chief — A proud Hanoian and an Italophile
Without giving too much away, in my role I will be overseeing all Vietcetera projects in Hanoi including potentially bringing the #banhmiawards to the capital next year. I am in the process of building the team here, with the very first applicant being a homesick Hanoian from Vietcetera’s Saigon office – an easy hire!
As a long-time Vietcetera reader, what would always strike me about the platform is how different the tone is compared to many other publications here that are full of celebrity gossip and click-bait articles. I would always turn to Vietcetera for informative, quality content that aims to educate rather than amuse. From how the questions in interviews are phrased to the website’s layout – you could just tell the team is very intelligent.
Then, about four months ago, while still with my previous company LOTTE, I had the opportunity to work directly with Minh and Long on Vietcetera’s client solutions and creative teams.
I was very impressed with their professionalism, dynamism and energy. And now that I am officially part of the organization, I couldn't be more excited to be telling the story of modern-day Vietnam – from Hanoi.