From Dial-Up to Domination: My Journey in the Evolving World of Online Marketing

Hi there, I’m Vinh, a digital marketing specialist!

My passion for online marketing began way back in the 1990s, when I first experimented with early computers running MS-DOS and Windows 3.1.

Little did I know, this curiosity would propel me on a journey that blends marketing, technology, and education – a journey that can help you achieve online marketing success for your business

Early Days: Pioneering Online Marketing Strategies

Fast forward to 1998, I graduated with dual degrees in economics and office management – one from Vietnam and another from France.

My first job at Ipsen, a French pharmaceutical company, exposed me to the nascent world of online marketing. We used Netscape Navigator and Lotus Notes (remember those?) for emails, and dial-up modems were still the norm in Vietnam!

During this time, I was fortunate to be sponsored by Ipsen and the French government to pursue an MBA (taught in French). My thesis focused on the groundbreaking topic of internet marketing. Though I didn’t complete the degree, it opened doors to my first real online marketing experience.

Hands-On Experience Across Industries

One of my early projects involved connecting doctors worldwide to Ipsen’s clinical studies portal. I was responsible for the Vietnam part.

While I didn’t design the website myself, I coordinated content translation, publication, and even organised large-scale training sessions at hospitals and medical schools. Today, we’d utilize Zoom for such tasks, but back then, it was all face-to-face interaction. This hands-on experience solidified my passion for online marketing.

My career path then led me to Mekong Capital, a leading Asian private equity firm. There, I played a key role in the brand transformation of Ngo Han, Vietnam’s top magnet wire company.

We launched a state-of-the-art website as part of their public listing on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange. In 2009, a cutting-edge website was a game-changer, and I worked closely with agencies and designers to create the perfect platform for them.

Building Websites and Bridging Knowledge Gaps

Later, I took on the challenge of restructuring a struggling in a gas company (name withheld for privacy) connected to Techcombank. As part of the restructuring, I led the creation of a new website to support their online marketing efforts.

In late 2015, I made a life-altering decision by immigrating to New Zealand. Here, I earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and transitioned into teaching marketing and business at Whitireia Polytechnic and Edenz Colleges.

During this time, particularly while working as a Marketing Manager, I noticed a significant gap in information available to international students, especially Vietnamese students, about life in New Zealand. Finding information about renting a house, buying a car, securing insurance, and more proved difficult.

To bridge this gap, I decided to create a website where I could share my knowledge in Vietnamese. Thus, vn2nz.co.nz was born. With no prior web design experience, I learned on the fly, akin to learning a new language – the rewards come through hands-on practice.

I was not surprised that the blog attracted a large audience and even ranked 1st on Google for specific keywords.

This project allowed me to dive deeper into website creation, SEO, Google Adwords, Facebook ads, and content marketing, as I provided valuable resources for newcomers to New Zealand.

Helping Businesses Thrive in the Digital Age

Becoming a digital marketing specialist is a journey, not a goal. I studied again.

While pursuing a Master’s thesis on digital marketing strategies for international student recruitment, I meticulously analyzed hundreds of websites and emails from universities and polytechnics in New Zealand.

This in-depth analysis provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in the education sector’s digital marketing landscape.

Post-pandemic, I shifted my focus to empowering small business owners and solo entrepreneurs. Witnessing firsthand how they can leverage my years of experience has been incredibly rewarding. It brings me immense satisfaction to coach them and witness their businesses flourish.

Why vinh.nz?

You might wonder why I chose vinh.nz over a typical domain like “digitalmarketing.co.nz.” The answer is simple: Niches can evolve, but Vinh – my name – is a constant.

It represents my brand and identity. Even if digital marketing goes through further transformations, vinh.nz will always be a platform for sharing my knowledge, not only in digital marketing but also in other areas like my language learning or documenting future adventures, be it van life or cycling across Asia (or the world!) once my youngest child graduates in three years.

Since the early days of online marketing in the 90s, I’ve witnessed the remarkable evolution of this field. I’ve been actively involved, gaining valuable hands-on experience every step of the way.

Now, as a digital marketing specialist I’m thrilled to share this knowledge and empower you to achieve online marketing success for your business.