Quickbytes: On judgment, curiosity, and focusing on what matters

This article is part of #GiveToGain, Tech in Asia’s 2026 International Women’s Day campaign.

The newsroom is the beating heart of Tech in Asia. Serving the region’s tech, business, and startup community is at the core of what we do, and providing in-depth insights into the current landscape is a pivotal part of that work.

Thu Huong Le sits at the helm of the newsroom as managing editor. She leads the strategic direction for our editorial team, making sure that we write the stories that need to be told and that we look beyond the hype.

Huong at the Expand North Star 2025 event in Dubai / Photo credit: Thu Huong Le

In this interview, Huong reflects on her journey as a journalist, shares the lessons she’s learned from making the transition to editor, and talks about how Tech in Asia covers topics such as AI.

The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

For the benefit of our readers, what do you do at Tech in Asia?

As the managing editor of our newsroom, I oversee the production of our premium, paywalled content. I work closely with editors and reporters across our different markets on story ideas, development, and framing, ensuring our coverage explains not just what’s happening in the tech industry but why it matters, particularly in Southeast Asia.

My portfolio also includes daily newsletters, an AI-themed newsletter, and other editorial projects aimed at deepening engagement with our core audience.

How did you arrive at this point in your career? What was the journey like, and what were some pivotal moments?

After graduating with a journalism degree in the US, I began my career at Thanh Nien, one of Vietnam’s largest media organizations, where I helped launch its English-language daily. My early work focused on domestic, social, and political affairs, giving me a front-row view of how policy, institutions, and people’s lives intersect.

Over time, that lens extended to technology. While studying public policy in Singapore, I became interested in how tech reshapes economies and societies across Southeast Asia. This led me to transition into tech journalism in 2019, starting with KrAsia, where I covered Vietnam’s emerging tech ecosystem.

With classmates at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore / Photo credit: Thu Huong Le

In 2020, I joined Tech in Asia as a journalist covering the Vietnamese market. I then became the news editor and features editor before being promoted to managing editor in 2024.

Stepping into editorial leadership shifted my focus beyond individual stories (they’re still important, for sure) to building systems, supporting people, and shaping long-term editorial impact.

What is your biggest achievement at Tech in Asia?

What about the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career? How did you overcome it?

Do you think the tech industry has done enough to promote gender diversity and empower women?

Who is your female hero or inspiration? Why?

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

On the flip side, what is one piece of advice you’d pass down to other women looking to get into the tech space (or in general)?

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “Give to Gain.” What does this mean to you, and how do you intend to give to gain?