About me

Hi, my name is Thomas,

... though in Vietnamese, I am known as Đức Việt. As a German-Vietnamese, I’ve spent much of my life navigating the space between two cultures—searching for a sense of belonging that felt truly mine. The journey to define my identity hasn’t always been easy. I still remember sitting in my 6th grade English class, staring at the question: “What is your home like?”

It seemed simple, yet I found myself lost in thought, realizing that home wasn’t just a place—it was a question I hadn’t yet answered. That moment marked the beginning of a deeper exploration into who I am, and what it means to belong.

Let's start from the beginning ...

If you saw me as a kid—sporting my stylish outfits and a wide grin—you’d know one thing for sure: I’ve always wanted to spread positivity and love. Football matches in the park, laughter with friends, carefree afternoons… back then, identity was never a question. My German friends didn’t care where I came from, and honestly, neither did I.

I grew up in a quiet village in Germany, home to exactly three Vietnamese families. And yes, each of us kids proudly represented one. It was a small world, but it was mine.

My time in high school

Things began to shift in high school. People started asking questions—about my background, my roots. I looked Asian, sure, but I felt German. Vietnam was a distant word, a place I barely knew, spoken in fragments of broken Vietnamese.

But something changed as I began learning foreign languages. With each new word, I unlocked a new way of seeing the world—and myself. Then came that English essay. The question was simple: “What is home to you?” But it hit me like a brick.

I didn't know ... I had to admit

That moment stayed with me. It stirred something deeper—a longing to understand, to connect, to define what home truly meant. So, unsure of what to study, I took a leap and chose a gap year. My Vietnamese family wasn’t thrilled. To them, it sounded like “đi chơi”—just playing around. I told them it was to improve my English. But deep down, I was chasing something more.

I was hoping for transformation.

Because sometimes, the most powerful journeys begin with uncertainty. And as the saying goes:

“Not all who wander are lost.”

Dear younger Thomas,

I am writing this letter to you because I am so grateful that you made the decision not to rush into university but to invest in yourself. This last year in New Zealand shaped me like no other year. Thanks to this given opportunity, I was able to learn more about myself, such as my strengths, weaknesses, limits, but also my passion and purpose.

I realized that freedom, kindness, and honesty become my core values and I will use them as guidance for life. But most importantly, I want to promise you to not lie to myself anymore and also accept and respect my own needs.

Thanks for believing in me,

Thomas Nguyen

CEO of my own life