How did you begin your journey at VNG? With nearly 8 years of dedication, how do you feel about the work and the people at VNG? Thao started working at VNG at the age of 26, and to summarize, there are three main stages. First, she started in Internal Communication. Thao observed very carefully and saw that this area at VNG was not properly invested in and had a lot of room for development. About six months later, Thao realized that what VNG really needed was Employer Branding (EB). At that time, EB was a very vague and new concept; even large companies hadn't really defined what this job entailed. After VNG's IC and EB areas were well-established, Thao continued to ponder VNG's communication aspects, both internally and externally. At that time, the company's Corporate Brand (Corporate Communications) segment was very fragmented, with each product telling its own story, and VNG's overall narrative was almost non-existent. Ultimately, Thao believed that when everything was consolidated, messages from the Group level would be more consistent and clearer when disseminated externally. The next milestone was when Thao took on the completely new field of Human Resources at the end of last year. After 8 months of hard work, Thao realized that the backbone of HR is not just about employees, benefits, and compensation. More profoundly, Thao gained very unique perspectives, both comprehensive and detailed, to better understand what VNG truly needed and what she could contribute to the company. And of course, she can't forget the most unforgettable birthday memory of her entire working life. Since that event, Thao has also taken on several additional responsibilities that, in her opinion, are very special, not every HR director gets to experience. 
The communications and human resources departments might seem like two unrelated fields. What motivated you to take on this challenge, and how did you overcome it? Actually, I had been grappling with the human resources management of the communications team for a while. I understood that at a certain point, I wouldn't be able to increase the scope of work (SOW) for my direct subordinates, but I could still share my experience and knowledge of VNG's products and people with them within the company. By joining the HR field, I could effectively support my communications work and that of my team, making it more substantial, timely, and also coaching the HR staff. From the beginning, I've been very interested in the human resources aspect – not just because I started working in HR. Thao finds value in every daily interaction. She feels happy observing her teammates at work, and that gives her a sense of happiness that balances other negative emotions. Could you share more about how you developed self-understanding and realized what truly matters to you? For Thao, optimism and emotional balance don't come from a fixed formula or a specific habit, but from understanding yourself. When you understand what makes you happy and what makes you sad, you'll know where your balance lies. As I've shared, Thao cares about people, so all the joys and sorrows in her working life revolve around people. From that experience, Thao identified factors that help her find balance, such as spending time with family on weekends, going to the spa, or playing with her pets. In reality, there may be many complicated things around her, but Thao always tends to focus on the simplest, most fundamental elements. This helps her identify problems more quickly and reduces emotional bias. Thao doesn't suppress or avoid negative emotions; instead, she chooses to confront and acknowledge them, giving herself space to release them within certain limits. In any situation, Thao tries to remain calm and view problems as objectively as possible. According to her, how can each individual understand themselves and those around them, thereby finding appropriate ways to care for their mental well-being? Each generation has its own experiences, shaping its identity and different values. Young people often crave self-affirmation and react strongly to things that don't go their way. Conversely, older generations, having gone through more experiences, achieve greater stability and feel less need to prove themselves to others. Effective communication skills are crucial for individuals to understand the souls of others and care for their own well-being. Thao hopes that when the older generation looks at the younger generation, they will see a part of their own youth reflected in them. When we strive to find common ground instead of differences, the value and meaning of connection become clearer. Ultimately, regardless of generation, we are all searching for meaning in life and a place to contribute our value. What are your thoughts on the perception that Gen Z is fragile and reacts differently compared to previous generations? Thao thinks this perception may stem from Gen Z not having experienced enough challenges and lacking deep connections with those around them. Actually, this is perfectly explainable; it stems from the cultural context and environment in which they grew up. This generation has been exposed to the internet from a very young age, proficient in absorbing information and specialized knowledge, but their emotional management and communication skills – crucial for interaction and connection – are not yet fully developed. Instead of viewing this as a limitation, Gen Z can proactively overcome it by broadening their worldview and building new connections with other generations. Actively seeking out and engaging with diverse perspectives and experiences will help them improve their adaptability and develop effective interaction and communication skills. Finally, what advice do you have for startups who are in the process of finding work-life balance? The journey of caring for mental health is a long process and requires a lot of time and patience. Everyone, regardless of generation, has their own circumstances and challenges, but what we all share is the desire to find peace and meaning in life. This journey isn't always easy, but it's certainly worthwhile. Thao just hopes everyone will always remember that every effort to understand themselves and take care of their mental well-being is part of their growth and happiness.| In November 2024, VNG launched the “Inner U” campaign with the message “Embrace the Inner U” (Respect your true feelings), aiming to help employees find balance between work and personal life, thereby building a positive and healthy living and working environment. The Inner U campaign was created with the goal of increasing awareness of the importance of mental health, guiding Starters towards a positive mindset, and changing or eliminating habits that can harm personal emotions. |
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