Some are afraid of them; others love the “cheap and willing” workforce. But who are the young and ambitious programmers of Asia? Let’s hear what Lê Thị Hồng Nhung, a young developer we met in Ho Chi Minh City, has to say.
Jokingly, she is also called “little Tiger Nhung” in the company. Yet rather than appearing as a dangerous tigress, the developer Lê Thị Hồng Nhung (photo) comes across more like an exceptionally kind and quite self-confident young engineer.
We met Lê Thị Hồng Nhung at the Swiss software company Axon Active in Ho Chi Minh City, where she works in a team for Soreco.
How has your career as a software specialist progressed so far?
I completed my computer science studies in 2007 and then worked for two and a half years for another Swiss software company. While working there, I enhanced my education, building upon the basic technological training I received at university. Since 2010, I have been working at Axon Active, where I have been involved from the very beginning in the development of the CRM solution for Soreco.
Did you always look for a job in a foreign company?
Yes. Most university graduates would like to work in a foreign company because the salary is better. In addition, foreign companies use the latest technologies and provide additional training opportunities. Another advantage is that you can learn English and sometimes even have the opportunity to work abroad.
Could you tell me about your working conditions?
We have flexible working hours here. I start between 8:30 and 9:00 o’clock. I finish work between 5:00 and 7:30 PM. If challenges arise, whether from underestimating the workload or our drive to be the best team, we may need to work overtime. My commute by motorcycle (in Ho Chi Minh City there are about four million motorcycles but relatively few cars) takes about one hour. I live with a friend in an apartment. My family lives in a small town in the countryside—far away from Ho Chi Minh City.
How did you come across Axon Active?
I found the position through an online job site and applied.
How many vacation days do you have?
LWe have all the official holidays. It’s about 18 days per year.
What are your life goals? Will you ever have your own software company?
like Java, I like modern technology, and I love programming. That’s why I want a technical leadership position. Unlike many others, I am not aiming for a management job; rather, I want to learn how to utilize new technologies.
In Switzerland, there are very few women who want to study computer science. Here at Axon, every team has at least one woman. Is that an exception, or is computer science generally popular among young Vietnamese women?
In Vietnam, there are many women in computer science. But many leave the profession after five or ten years in order to take care of family and children.
Do women and men have the same salaries in the Vietnamese IT industry?
The salary depends on qualifications and negotiation skills. I earn a little more because I have a bit more experience. In the job interview, many technical questions are asked, and if you are good, you earn more. But you also have to negotiate the salary well, if I negotiated better my salary could already be a little higher.
What must a Swiss company do to retain developers in Vietnam? What is important to you as an employee?
Foreign companies in Vietnam are indeed concerned about the frequent turnover of employees. The main reason is the salary. People change jobs because they want to earn more. They compare their own salary with positions in other companies. If the difference is too great, we start to consider switching. But it also depends on the other benefits offered by a company. (Note: Companies like Axon Active offer their employees a leisure program. They have sports groups, offer English lessons, and organize company outings.)
How does communication with your colleagues in Switzerland work?
At first, we had communication problems. But with more experience, we now understand each other well. We have learned to ask questions until everything is clear.
What is special about working with Swiss colleagues? Are there differences that you particularly notice?
I really enjoy working with the Swiss, especially Soreco. They are very professional but also friendly. The Swiss who come here are really nice. Kindness and mutual respect are the most important things for me. (The conversation was conducted by Christoph Hugenschmidt.)
Published on inside-it.ch https://www.inside-it.ch/post/freundlichkeit-und-respekt-sind-das-wichtigste-20110629
Translated from German: https://www.axonactive.com/post/freundlichkeit-und-respekt-sind-das-wichtigste