As we celebrate National Coding Week, an initiative that champions digital skills and encourages people to explore the world of coding, we shine a light on one of GBST’s talented software engineers: Thao La, based in our Vietnam office.
Hi, Thao! Can you tell us a bit about your journey into software engineering? How did you first get into coding?
I became interested in computers when I was about ten years old, after my dad’s friend gave us an old PC. I didn’t know anything about how it worked, but I loved exploring the system and playing games. A couple of years later, I took an office computing course where I learned Word and Excel. I especially enjoyed experimenting with Excel formulas. I enjoyed discovering ways to let the computer handle the calculations for me.
When I was 13, my mom encouraged me to join a basic programming course in Pascal, where I learned to write many simple programs to perform calculations. That was probably the moment I realised how powerful coding could be.
My parents weren’t from an IT background. My dad used a computer to write documents, but I was the first in my family to really dive into programming.
What’s your current role at GBST, and what kind of projects or technologies do you usually work with?
I’ve worked at GBST for around seven years now. My journey began with an internship during my university years, where I was fortunate to be mentored and introduced to some of the frameworks used at GBST. After graduating, I joined an outsourcing partner that supported GBST and was assigned to work on GBST projects again, which made for a very smooth transition.
Since 2019, I’ve worked across multiple teams and projects. I mostly work with Java for backend development and React for frontend tasks. More recently, I’ve also started working with AWS infrastructure, which has helped me understand how everything fits together behind the scenes.
What’s it like working in the Vietnam team? How do you work with teammates across different regions?
The Vietnam team is a really supportive environment. We work closely together, frequently engaging in face-to-face discussions, coffee breaks, and informal chats to collaborate and solve problems.
At the same time, we work regularly with colleagues in Australia, especially through daily stand-ups and shared documentation. Even though we’re in different time zones, we make it work really well. Personally, I’ve learned a lot from how Australian teammates approach problems. It’s helped me grow both technically and in terms of communication.
Are there any challenges or unique benefits to being a software engineer in Vietnam working for a global tech company?
The main challenge is probably managing time zones, but we’ve built good rhythms for communication, and the documentation culture is strong. The benefit is that I get exposure to global projects and talented people across different regions. I’ve also had the chance to learn from great colleagues. They’ve really influenced how I think and work.
What do you enjoy most about coding or building software?
I love the problem-solving side of coding. Even small programming tasks, I like the feeling of breaking down a complex problem into smaller pieces and then finding a clean and logical solution. There’s something rewarding about taking a challenge and writing something that actually works. It’s that sense of possibility and constant learning that keeps me motivated.
Is there a programming language, framework, or type of task you especially enjoy working with?
I enjoy working with both Java and React. Java has helped me build a strong foundation in backend development, and React is great for bringing things to life on the frontend. More recently, I’ve been learning and applying AWS infrastructure concepts, which has given me a much broader view of how services connect and operate in the cloud.
What’s something you’ve learned recently that really stuck with you — whether technical or not?
Learning how to use AWS was a big milestone for me. I learned by asking questions, watching YouTube tutorials, and applying what I learned to real-world tasks on projects. That hands-on experience really helped the knowledge stick.
What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out in software engineering or thinking about learning to code?
Start small, stay consistent, and focus on the fundamentals — basic programming concepts and problem-solving are so important. Try to build small projects to apply what you’ve learned. And don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek help. Software engineering is a collaborative field, and learning from others makes a big difference.
Also, follow your passion. These days, many people are drawn to IT due to its high salaries, but if you don’t genuinely enjoy it, staying motivated can be tough. If you love what you do, the 8-hour workday feels more meaningful and enjoyable.
When you’re not coding, how do you like to unwind or spend your free time?
I try to go to the gym about three times a week. It helps me stay physically healthy and keeps my energy up for work too.
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