In recent years, Asia’s largest economy has faced serious job shortages and layoffs, especially in the tech sector. Local graduates struggle to find jobs, and opportunities for foreigners are even scarcer. Yet, a young Vietnamese woman born in the 1990s bravely stepped into this challenging market, diving into China’s tech and gaming industry right after graduating from university in Vietnam.
She doesn’t claim to be exceptionally successful or outstanding, but Shi Nguyen (Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuong)’s career journey and achievements in China are inspiring and motivating for many.
How did you land your first job in China?
When I graduated from Hanoi University, my Chinese wasn’t very good. The more I talked to Chinese friends, the more I realized how much I lacked. I knew I needed an environment where I could use Chinese daily to improve quickly. But my family couldn’t afford to send me abroad, so I had to find a job related to Chinese.
I started looking for jobs in China. I knew it would be tough, but I believed that trying gave me a 50% chance of success, while not trying meant zero. Luckily, 2015 was a booming time for China’s economy, including tech and gaming, so many game-related jobs popped up.
At that time, I just wanted to go to China and find any job, salary didn’t matter. That thought pushed me to act immediately. I prepared my application, applied to a small tech company in Suzhou, and was lucky to get hired. That’s how my journey in China began.
How did you progress from a regular employee to a director in such a competitive market?
I started at a small company in Suzhou, then worked as a translator and game operator before moving to Hangzhou. Over time, I gained experience and became deeply connected to the industry. At first, I thought I’d only ever be a translator, but working in gaming changed my mindset. I’ve now spent 10 years fully immersed in this field.
I was fortunate to meet great mentors and colleagues who supported me from day one. Even after leaving, we stayed in touch. When my previous company wanted to expand into other countries, I helped them legally launch games in Vietnam. This opened many new opportunities and connections. Later, Lilith, one of China’s top three game companies, invited me to be their Vietnam market director. That’s when I moved from Hangzhou to Shanghai.
I admit I’ve been lucky to get good opportunities, but I believe seizing them is crucial. Opportunities don’t just come to you, you have to work hard to find them. They’re for those who are ready, so I constantly improve myself to deserve them. When I left Hangzhou, I told my old boss how grateful I was for the trust and chances I’d been given. He said, “No, you’re lucky because you worked hard.” That recognition really touched me.
What helped you maintain strong relationships at work?
I think it comes down to sincerity. Honestly, I don’t have many close friends. I have many social contacts but few deep connections. Even if we don’t meet often, I’m always ready to help when someone needs it, and they do the same for me. Sincerity is the key to keeping any relationship strong.
What challenges did you face when you first started working in a foreign country?
Even in the 2010s, many of my family still thought China was dangerous. My parents were worried and didn’t want me to go. But I’m strong-willed and determined, so I went anyway. Before that, I had never been far from home in over 20 years, studying only in Hanoi. Luckily, my colleagues and bosses in China were mostly kind, which made my start easier.
The biggest challenge was adjusting to China’s intense “996” work culture, working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. Chinese people are extremely hardworking, especially in gaming and tech, often working 12 to 14 hours daily. At first, I couldn’t accept this and even refused overtime. I was young and stubborn, so it took about a year to adapt.
Also, gaming and tech have complex jargon that even locals sometimes struggle with. Since I didn’t play many games, I had to spend a lot of time learning. My role was a bridge between Vietnam and China, between tech teams and players. I had to understand game mechanics and strategies and explain them clearly to partners to meet Vietnamese players’ needs. That was a major challenge.
Living far from home alone was tough. I had no family or close friends nearby to rely on. I had to get used to different mindsets and lifestyles. Here, losing your job means losing everything.
Did anything about working in China disappoint you or differ from your expectations?
At first, the daily overtime was hard to accept, it was a shock. But eventually, I became a workaholic who often stayed late. In all tech companies here, if you don’t work overtime, they don’t want you. Anyone wanting to work in China’s tech scene needs to know this. While many countries now push back against excessive overtime, this reality won’t change overnight. If you work in this industry, you have to accept it.
Young Chinese workers now follow a trend called “juan” or “nei juan,” slang for intense competition in studies or work, even if they seem calm on the surface. Unlike the “lying flat” trend, many quietly push themselves harder to outdo peers. My Chinese colleagues are very “juan,” but now I’m even more competitive than them.
China’s tech industry is known for the “35-year-old curse” and severe layoffs. Have you ever feared being laid off?
Absolutely, I’m always afraid. But I see it as part of life. No one can do the same job forever. Everyone must change or take new paths, so you have to face that fear. When the economy is bad, everyone fears losing their job, but fear doesn’t solve anything. You have to be proactive, multitask, quickly spot trends, and prepare new moves. You don’t want to be a pawn, you want to be the player.
Whether working in Vietnam or China, you must always stay updated, especially in tech. Things change daily. Today ChatGPT might be the hottest thing, tomorrow something else will be. The world keeps evolving. I see myself like a game, if it doesn’t update, it dies. So we must keep learning. And if you’re a woman wanting to work in China’s tech industry, you have to work even harder than local women.
Is that why you decided to leave big companies and start your own business?
Exactly. You mentioned the “35-year-old curse,” and I’m already 33. Before facing that crisis or being pushed out, I felt it was time to invest in my own career where I’m in control. Every step in life needs preparation. I didn’t think I could stay in one place forever. At Lilith, I gained enough experience and built strong industry connections in both China and Vietnam. Now, I’m ready to make my own moves and start my own game.
How do you see the gaming industries in China and Vietnam evolving over the next 5 years?
Gaming is entertainment, which isn’t an essential need, so it’s heavily affected by the economy. When the economy slows, gaming suffers because people have less money to spend on entertainment.
In the past 2-3 years, the gaming industry hasn’t grown much and seems to have plateaued. Also, gaming tastes evolve across generations. Some once-popular games are no longer played. So I can’t predict the future. Game makers must keep up with market trends and the economy to create games that fit user preferences.
Do you have goals for the next 5 to 10 years?
I often say I don’t have dreams but I have goals. They might not be long-term, but they’re achievable. Once I set a goal, I work seriously step by step. Dreams can be distant, but goals are right in front of you.
Like losing weight, I didn’t focus on losing a certain number in a year but aimed to lose about 1kg per week. Gradually, I lost 20kg in a year. The length of the goal doesn’t matter as much as whether you achieve it.
How do you feel you’ve changed from age 23 to 33? Any shifts in mindset or personality?
What hasn’t changed is my passion for everything I do. I think I used to be too blunt. Now I’m still straightforward but more tactful. That’s part of growing up. I say what I think but in a way that’s easier to hear and won’t upset others. I’m less reckless, calmer, less showy, and less arrogant. I’ve also learned to see things more objectively and from different angles instead of being one-sided.
You seem happy and free on social media. Have you ever faced big setbacks or shocks?
About 5-7 years ago, I shared my work experiences in China on social media and faced a lot of criticism, sometimes harsh enough to be called online abuse. At the time, I believed I was right and helping many people seeking overseas work. But looking back, I realize I made some mistakes in how I expressed myself.
The more you share your thoughts, the more vulnerable you are to online abuse. So before posting opinions, you have to be ready for opposing views. In the end, it’s not that hard to accept or take to heart because life has many other things to focus on.
I only share happy things on social media, never my sadness or struggles. I don’t think others should be a dumping ground for my negativity. When I’m down, I process it by traveling to new places, then dive back into work. That’s how I move on. So my Facebook is full of joy, and I hope to spread positive energy to my followers.
What do you think is the most important thing for women after 30?
I think the most important thing is not to lose yourself. Whether you’re 30 or 40, I want to keep the passion I had at 20 for work and life. For those not married yet, you can still do what you want. For those who are married or have kids, I hope you’re not just known as someone’s wife or mother but shine with your own name. Never lose yourself and always love yourself fully.
Do you plan to settle in Vietnam and grow your career there?
I’m currently working in both Vietnam and China. Many think I’ve settled in China, but I always hope to develop well in Vietnam’s market. I encourage Chinese companies to invest in Vietnam in a legitimate way. That’s part of my future work direction.
Right now, luck isn’t on my side. The economic crisis hits tech and gaming hard, so my two-year-old startup faces many challenges. But at 33, I still have the passion and fearlessness I had at 23 when I first arrived in China.
I rarely regret decisions because even if I don’t do well, I’ve at least experienced it. Not trying would make me feel much worse.
Thank you for sharing your story today. Wishing you success in your new journey!
