In today’s “Meet Our Team” series, I’m glad to shine the light on Ngọc Oanh, our beloved accountant.
A perfectionist whose catchphrase is “Ôi thôi chếcccc” (a dramatic “oh well!”), Oanh is the OG who keeps our numbers and documents in order.
While she was born in 2003, don’t let her age of 23 fool you! According to the Asian calendar, 2003 is the year of the Golden Goat, a year believed to be auspicious and lucky. That well explains why Oanh has always been so special in her own way.
Read on today’s blog to find out how!
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Chấm Lửng (CL): Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and where you grew up?
Oanh: My name is Oanh and I’m from Quảng Trị, a smack in the middle of Vietnam. History buffs would know it well: this place is home to more historical landmarks than practically anywhere else in the country. You know, from the 17th parallel that once split Vietnam in two to the legendary 81-day siege of Quảng Trị Citadel, all of that happened basically in my backyard. Growing up surrounded by those stories fill me with utmost pride.
That said, my hometown is not exactly a land of plenty. People there have a reputation for being tough as nails because of rugged terrain and unfavorable weather. Seeing how my family struggled growing up, I made up my mind that I had to study my way out!
CL: How did you end up in accounting then? And what brought you all the way to Đà Nẵng?
Oanh: I actually left home in 8th grade to attend a Lower Secondary school in the city centre. All I wanted at the time was plainly better opportunities.! As luck (and many all-nighters) may have it, I ended up at a High School for the Gifted with a major in Physics, all of which has been life-changing ever since!
It was the kind of environment that keeps you on your toes, and I, as one of only 6 girls in a class of 30, had to work even harder. It was perhaps during those long days and nights solving Physics problems that my passion for numbers and logic took hold (and hasn’t let go ever since). The idea of working in finance and banking just came naturally. More numbers and logic, yay!
I did spend some time grinding away in Saigon. But after a while, I realized I needed to pump the brakes to find somewhere I could breathe, slow down, and figure out who I actually was outside of all the chaos. Đà Nẵng ended up being that place for me, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, hehe.
CL: That’s so INSPIRING of you! What’s your take on Đà Nẵng, and on Next Continent so far?
Oanh: Đà Nẵng has this unique dynamic vibe that I didn’t know I needed. While it offers me a lot (the beach, the river, the peninsula, you name it), it’s also taught me to savor life instead of rushing through. The city is vibrant, and Next Continent shares that same energy.
As for the company, the team is young, sure; but casual stands no chance here. Everyone here brings their A-game, every-single-day. Dare I say this: There’s no room for “good enough” – it’s excellence or nothing!
And when things get tough, I love how our managers roll up their sleeves and work through it with us. That’s the spirit that I will never take for granted.
Everything about Next Continent still feels fresh to me, from private tours, fully customized itineraries, genuinely caring about each guest’s experience down to remembering their names and what they’re interested in. I’ve been here a bit long enough that I probably shouldn’t still be surprised at this, but well, I still am from time to time.
CL: I could not relate more with your sharing lol. What’s your favorite tour with Next Continent?
Oanh: Oh woohoo, hands down to the Hội An Birding Cruise! I’ve once experienced gliding down the river as the sun slowly rose and cast this golden light over the water; surrounding me echoes birds’ call of all kinds, filling the morning breeze.
The funny thing is, I couldn’t have cared less about birds before joining Next Continent. But by being around people who talk/eat/sleep this stuff all day, their passion contagiously gets onto me. And now I’ve got a whole new world to explore and I’m genuinely into it!
CL: I’m glad to hear that. Okay, last not but least, are there any fun facts you want to drop on us?
Oanh: Everyone assumes that because I’m a numbers person, I must be pretty buttoned-up and serious off the clock. But I’m really not! I have a huge soft spot for art, color, and beautiful things. As a side hustle, I’m running a small handmade jewelry business where every single piece is a unique copy. I make them based on whatever mood I’m in, manifesting them with my own little story, and have guests walk away with something genuinely one of a kind. When my hands are busy with crafting, my brain sneaks back to whatever math or logic problem stumped me earlier that day. Once the problem is solved, the ecstasy doubles itself. (I promise I’m not that much of a nerd!)
CL: A huge thank you to Oanh for opening up and letting us in. This is exactly why we’re so proud of you! Looking forward to our chat next time when more interesting stories unfold.
