My Life Story

I was born and raised in Southern Vietnam, with my roots deeply tied to the vibrant, energetic streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Looking back, my path seemed well-paved: I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and, eleven years before moving to the US, began working for one of Vietnam’s leading mobile telecommunications and software companies as a B2B Sales Specialist.

Throughout those early years, I was blessed with incredible university friends and colleagues—kind, helpful, and always ready to share life’s ups and downs.

The MBA Journey: Grit, Growth, and Unforgettable Mentors

My work took me to My Tho, about 60 miles from Ho Chi Minh City. In 2022, I decided to pursue my MBA. My schedule became relentless: working Monday through Friday, and waking up at 5:00 AM every Saturday and Sunday morning to catch the bus for class.

For two straight years, exhaustion often made me want to give up. Yet, my classmates kept me going. Many of them were older than me—founders, startup entrepreneurs, CFOs, COOs, and CEOs of major corporations in Vietnam. Despite holding high positions and managing demanding schedules, they showed me immense warmth, guidance, and sincere encouragement. Their humility and kindness are memories I will cherish forever.

In 2024, after defending my thesis on Customer Experience, I was promoted to Business Sales Director, a role I held for two years.

Expanding Horizons Across Asia

This leadership role opened extraordinary doors. I collaborated with business owners across Vietnam, learning directly from their entrepreneurial wisdom. My work took me all over Vietnam and across Asia—Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, South Korea, and Japan.

In 2025, I was awarded the Japanese Government scholarship through the AOTS organization, specializing in AI and IoT. I spent two unforgettable weeks studying in Tokyo and Okayama, even visiting Mount Fuji. Although it was late February—the snow was melting, and the cherry blossoms hadn’t bloomed yet—I fell in love with Japan and promised myself I would return soon.

More than the lessons, that trip gave me lifelong friendships. I met wonderful, genuine people who remain my close friends today—two of whom are currently in the US with me.

The Turning Point: Success vs. True Happiness

By late 2025, while working full-time, I was studying English again to retake language certifications required for University of California applications. While I initially aimed for UCLA, I was accepted into UC Irvine to study Digital Marketing and International Business.

Within just two months of applying, my visa was approved—the smoothest, easiest process imaginable. Yet, I hesitated. I was at the peak of my career in Vietnam, and leaving meant stepping away from everything I had built.

Then, early in 2026, tragedy struck. My beloved nephew—whom I had lived with and cared for from the day he was born until he was 23—passed away in an accident.

His sudden departure shook me to my core. It was an awakening. Looking back at my life, I realized I had become a money-making machine. Was I truly happy? I decided it was time to search for real happiness. I put my career in Vietnam on hold, gave myself permission to rest, and set out to discover what I genuinely want out of this life.

A New Chapter in Irvine

Today, I am in Irvine, California.

Stepping back has given me a new perspective on life. It has made me realize the profound importance of having a true life companion—someone to share life’s joys and sorrows with, to encourage one another, and to walk through this beautiful, unpredictable journey together.

This isn’t just a new city or a new study program; it’s the beginning of a journey back to myself.