Hi, I’m Nico
I build things in Vietnam, and I write down what they teach me.
French-Vietnamese entrepreneur, in Vietnam since September 2012 and in Đà Nẵng with my family since 2024. This is my public notebook: the projects I am running, the lessons they leave me, and the ways I can help you.
- 5 projects running now
- 19 projects so far
- Last post
- 14 years in Vietnam
01 Projects
What I’m building right now
The company, the communities and the websites I run today. Each one has its own page with the story, the goals and the latest updates.
The list that French residents of Vietnam elected in May 2026 to represent them. I am part of Jaime Peypoch's six-person team until 2032: when someone needs help, we are the first people they call, and we get the right person at the Consulate or the Embassy to act.
My company. I am the project manager French founders bring in when their tech project with a Vietnamese team needs to stay on track, or get back on it. It started as a YouTube channel and Notion consulting; today it is about delivery.
A French international school in Ho Chi Minh City with more than twenty years behind it. Since 2024 I have rebuilt its website in French, English and Vietnamese, and I look after it every month so that parents find the school and book a visit.
This site. I started it in 2020 to write about life and business in Vietnam. In 2026 I rebuilt it as my public notebook: the one place where my projects, lessons and offers live, instead of social media.
The French-speaking community I have been running since 2016: a Facebook group where French people living in Vietnam help each other, a blog, and a free guide for anyone settling in.
02 Writing
Fresh from the notebook
Notes, tips and project updates. I publish them here instead of on social media, so this is where you will find them first.
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Things I do to kept my entrepreneur life stress-free
I’ve listed 5 things I started, 5 things I stopped and 5 things I kept in my life to live a stress-free…
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My personal take on AI in 2026
AI is here to stay. As an IT Project Manager, I am both part of the problem and the solution. It is…
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There is a difference between fixing things and consulting.
Today I learned that to open a door, you can shoot it with a bazooka or use the handle. Two ways to…
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A Life Update for 2026
In 2026, I don’t have big plans. I am still on that quest for alignment, peace and consolidation of all the great…
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How to get your first 10 clients
Today I learned how to get my first 10 clients by attending Dre McLaughlin’s workshop at Wildcats. Lots of value for entrepreneurs…
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Vision, Mission, Core Values
Before we connect, please read my vision, mission and core values. See how I operate and how I help others.
03 Lessons
Lessons worth your time
Short posts where I write down one thing a project, a client or a bad week taught me.
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There is a difference between fixing things and consulting.
Today I learned that to open a door, you can shoot it with a bazooka or use the handle. Two ways to fix a problem, but one is…
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How to get your first 10 clients
Today I learned how to get my first 10 clients by attending Dre McLaughlin’s workshop at Wildcats. Lots of value for entrepreneurs who struggle at getting sales.
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How to generate diagrams from text with AI
Today I learned to generate diagrams from text using AI and I share the benefits and limitations of this new feature
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9 things to know to improve your photography skills
I learned 9 key photography tips from a workshop that improved my skills—perfect for capturing memories and building a personal brand.
04 FAQs
Questions people ask me
Who is Nicolas Thành?
Hey guys, I am a French entrepreneur based in Vietnam. After 10 years living in Saigon I moved to Da Nang with my family in 2024. I am the founder of Scale in Peace. I arrived in Vietnam in 2012 for several reasons. And I stayed in Vietnam since then doing business.
To connect with me, there are essentially 2 ways: message me and subscribe to my newsletter. It will allow you to receive tips from my learnings and updates about my projects. Simple 🙂!
You can also watch interviews done by some Youtubers or podcasters here:
- What is fractional work and new way of work (watch on Nomad Catalyst channel here)
- How To Optimise your Life For Increased Productivity
- Learn how to open a hospitality business in Vietnam (watch on Move to Asia YouTube channel here)
- Podcast episode about my 8 years entrepreneur experience (listen on Creators in Vietnam podcast here)
- Key takeaways from 10 years of expatriation in Vietnam (in French, on Mr Peusse YouTube channel here)
- Watch how Freelancers can “self-care” (on Viet Assist YouTube channel here)
What can I do for entrepreneurs?
I manage IT projects. If your tech project with a Vietnamese team is late, over budget or stuck, I step in: I run the team in Vietnamese, keep you informed in French or English, and stay until it ships. I do it with Scale in Peace, my company.
If that sounds like your project, write to me. For everything else, this blog is where I share what I learn along the way.
How to start a business in Vietnam as a foreigner?
There are basically two ways to start a business in Vietnam as a foreigner: 100% foreign owned company or partner with a local. The first has strict requirements and will be more demanding but theorically safer. The second is the easiest and more affordable. That’s how I opened my former hostel.
Full article on how to start a business in Vietnam as a foreigner here. It comprises info about the best choice of legal structure, the process to open the company and get the business able to run.
Complementary resource on how I opened and run my hostel in Vietnam: It’s a video interview here.
What is the most important to know for foreigners doing business in Vietnam?
The ultimate advice I give to “westerners” who arrive in Vietnam to do business is to learn to control their emotions. It’s a game-changer if properly applied because in Vietnam people hate “hot temper”. And a foreigner will lose face and credibility if they start getting angry. See why and learn more in my short video.