Annie Vu is the co-founder and CEO of Tubudd, a platform where young Vietnamese locals can connect with international travelers to guide them on their journey in Vietnam. 

Tubudd is looking to have 1M buddies all around Asia by 2028. They’re backed by VSV Capital and TheVentures. 

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👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

We create an app to match travelers to local friends for any purpose, from tour guides to interpreters or just simply an assistant for the trip. 

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🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

• I’m a confident driver in many countries, just give me a car and Google Maps I will explore the whole world.
• I’m a pretty confident woman in a male-dominated industry.
• I’ve lived in a few countries, danced to hip-hop music, sang jazz, and played classic violin. I’ve got an Asian look and a Western mindset. 

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🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

It may be when I was the Backstreet Boys' personal assistant for their tour in Vietnam in 2012. It just felt invincible for me and made me feel that I could take on the world at the age of 20.

Other than that, it would be I started from the bottom 3 times in 3 places before actually settling down where I am for my startup. 

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🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

Travelling alone…self planning and self-traveling all around the world. It is relevant to my startup and exactly like I predicted it to be years ago. 

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💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? 

It is a complicated and interesting industry. Enjoy it as much as work hard for it. 

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🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? 

My mission, my startup, and how I want to change the world through it. 

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

Rocky. 

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🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Chocolate. 

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FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.