The Day I Left Taipei, I Left My Heart Behind

— Nguyễn Thế Anh, Piping Engineering Dept., CIMAS, Group Engineering Business

Can you briefly tell us about yourself?

Hi everybody. My name is Nguyễn Thế Anh. I graduated from Ha Noi University of Science and Technology, and my major is mechatronics. I have been working as a piping engineer in CIMAS for 8 years. And now, I am working at CTCI headquarters office to support instrument group in GCGV project.

What made you join CTCI?

A lot of people have asked me why I was able to stay with the company for so long. And that is a long story. Previously, when I graduated from university, I worked for a Japanese company specializing in printer manufacturing. It was a very good company with an attractive salary. For new graduates like me at that time, surpassing hundreds of other potential candidates to wear the company's uniform was a joy and a great honor. However, after only one year of working, I was no longer attached to that job and returned to Hanoi. My family and friends were surprised why I could turn down such a good company because so many people wanted to work there and I had to be very lucky to be hired by them. It's because that the love for the job is over and I don't want to stay there anymore. It took me half a year to ask what I want, what my love, what my passion for life is, where it is and how to find it. Until one day I applied to CIMAS, and my days of passion for work started from that moment. I joined the company when CIMAS was about to turn 10 years old with the motto of becoming the leading technical service provider in Vietnam. The projects I participated in, the software training sessions, the technical issues to note during layout are always the best days I had and I enjoyed it every day. 

Could you give us some examples of the foreign culture and people that impress you during your stay (when being relocated)?

Although I have worked for 8 years at CIMAS, this is the first time I work abroad, and the best thing is working for CTCI, the parent company of CIMAS, CTCI’s subsidiary in Vietnam. Before, several CIMAS engineers who were dispatched to Taipei or Kaohsiung had told me their memories while working here. However, only when I came here, I really felt Taipei in my own way. First of all, I found that Taiwanese are very friendly and always willing to help others. I still remember when I first went to Yangmingshan National Park, I did not remember how to take the bus back to where I lived, everyone was very helpful to me. One woman even got off the bus to show me the next bus stop that I had to wait even though it wasn't where she wanted to get off. It is really something that I will never forget. The second thing is that people in Taiwan love dogs very much. In my country, everyone loves animals but in a very different way like here. Every afternoon after I get home from work, I can see old couples pushing strollers not for children but for cute puppies. Next, there are lots of people who like claw machine games to pick up stuffed animals here and I met a lot of Taiwanese playing the games at Ximending night market, both old and young. That was interesting and lovely. 

How do you get rid of work stress?

Regarding work, many people asked me if I was tired or stressed over working overseas. And did I go out or do anything on the weekend? I can say that there are many interesting things you could do in Taipei on the weekends. First is the night market. There are thousands and thousands of interesting dishes with attractive colors and smells, and just looking through them makes you salivate. And indeed, I have enjoyed a great deal of food here. Crunchy roasted pork pieces, brown roasted duck pieces are appealing. And also the impressive red gourd skewers (Tanghulu)... Besides that, I am also impressed by the museums here. Many people who come to Taipei will visit the National Palace Museum, which showcases Chinese art masterpieces in the past and is one of the largest museums in the world, but Taipei has much more. I visited museums that were once tobacco factories and even an elementary school. It is creative and attracts young people. Going beyond the city. I visited Tamsui, Yehliu Geopark, Beitou hot spring, Jiufen old town... Each place has a different look and it is all great. You can enjoy seafood at Tamsui, see natural masterpieces at Yehliu, visit Japanese-style hot spring baths at Beitou and enjoy traditional Chinese dishes at Jiufen... And one thing that impressed me the most was the young girls' voices here. Really very lovely...

Could you share some interesting experience you had when working in CTCI?

What impressed me the first day I worked at the CTCI office was that every morning a security guard stood at the door and said hello to everyone. It really is a respect to the employees of the corporation. When participating in the project with everyone here, I have met and discussed with a lot of engineers from other countries such as Thailand, India, Iran... that is really a professional and international working environment, which is not possible in CIMAS. In addition, everyone here is also friendly and good. While I was busy at work and unable to get my extended visa, my colleague was ready to take it to my seat. Those are small things, but mean a lot to me...