Today, I’m going to break down everything about websites: how the web works, how websites operate, and how you can control them yourself. The web world is often gatekept – people hide knowledge (“giấu nghề”) because they think websites are a money-making secret. In reality, it’s not hard once you see the full map.

Especially for people working with WordPress: you can spend years building sites without actually understanding what’s happening under the hood. Nobody explained the fundamentals properly.

Websites Are Just Files

A website is, at its core, just a file – like a Word document. You can open it offline, no internet needed. But for other people to see it anytime, you need a computer (server) running 24/7 to “serve” those files.

Hosting and Domain

Hosting = a rented computer online (like DigitalOcean or AWS).
Domain = a pretty name (like example.com) pointing to that computer.

Drag & Drop vs Code

• Drag-and-drop tools (WordPress, Squarespace) are convenient but limited.
• Code-based frameworks (Next.js, Astro, SvelteKit) give full control and scale better – especially now with AI (like ChatGPT) helping you code, debug, and deploy faster.

Modern Approach

1. Build with code (lightweight & customizable).
2. Use AI to assist with syntax and setup.
3. Deploy directly from GitHub to a hosting provider.
4. Point your domain and go live.

Aspect	Old Method (WordPress)	Modern (Next.js + AI)
Learning curve	High (plugins, themes)	Lower (AI assists coding)
Speed	Slower, more manual steps	Faster, automated workflows
Customization	Limited by themes	Full freedom via code
Maintenance	Frequent plugin conflicts	Easier, code-based updates

Once you see this map, you realize there’s no magic – just steps.

Instant Messages – Fast but Tiring

• Treat messaging like calling: before sending, ask yourself if the recipient can "pick up" right now.
• The immediacy makes recipients feel they must respond immediately. So limit messages outside work hours.
• If it's urgent news, message away. But if not, consider switching to email or scheduling a discussion.

Email – Slower but More Durable

Vietnamese people often avoid email thinking it's bureaucratic, but email has irreplaceable advantages:

1. Clear paper trail – when disputes arise, reading an email thread is easier than digging through message screenshots.
2. No pressure to respond immediately – recipients can check when they start their shift.
3. Forces thoughtful composition – writing emails takes more time, but saves both parties because everything is presented coherently.
4. Schedule sending – write at night, schedule for 8 AM the next day to avoid disturbing others.
5. Long-term storage – easy to retrieve with filters, avoiding the hassle of "excavating" countless screenshots.

Combining Two "Virtual Tools"

• Messages for urgent matters, quick confirmations.
• Email for discussions needing follow-up, working with multiple parties, or when clear evidence is required.

A modern office doesn't always chase new tools. Using existing ones correctly saves you lots of time—and your colleagues' peace of mind.

Part 1: VAT - Understanding It to Price Correctly

What is VAT?

Value-added tax (VAT) is not money the government takes extra from sellers, but a mechanism to encourage or discourage certain product groups. Each country applies different rates: priority items may be reduced or exempted, while items to be restricted face higher taxes.

Simple Example with a Water Bottle

Suppose you sell a bottle of water for 10,000 VND and VAT for this item is 10%.

• Customer pays: 11,000 VND.
• You only keep 10,000 VND – actual sales revenue.
• The remaining 1,000 VND is collected on behalf of the state, must be remitted on time.

Don't Forget Corporate Income Tax

Besides VAT, businesses must also pay corporate income tax (CIT) calculated on profit. For very small businesses, tax rates are often preferential to encourage startups.

Part 2: Tax Filing Schedule - No More Missing Deadlines

Why Track Your Tax Calendar?

When Tea first opened her company, she wished someone had given her a simple sheet listing what to file each quarter. Information was everywhere, but overwhelming—easy to miss deadlines. Below is a tidy version for small businesses.

For Companies with VAT

• Quarterly: 1 VAT return + 1 personal income tax (PIT) return.
• Year-end: PIT finalization, CIT finalization, and full financial statements.

For Companies Without VAT

• Quarterly: only PIT return.
• Year-end: PIT finalization and CIT finalization.

Practical Tips

1. Set reminders 1-2 weeks before deadline
2. Maintain simple books to track revenue and expenses
3. Consult an accountant if revenue grows quickly
4. Store supporting documents fully for reconciliation when needed

Understanding taxes well not only helps you comply with the law but also price products accurately, predict cash flow, and plan business more sustainably.

When businesses sell products or services, sometimes customers do not pay right away: they promise to pay later. That unpaid money is called a receivable. In real life, not everyone who owes money will actually pay it back in full, so businesses must plan ahead by setting aside an amount they think they will not be able to collect. This way, their financial reports are more honest and realistic.

For example, imagine a company is owed 10 million. Based on experience, they estimate that about 1 million of that might never come in. Instead of pretending they have the full 10 million, they set aside 1 million as a "just-in-case" loss. They do not move this amount to the "money we owe others" side, known as liabilities: instead, they show it under assets, but as a negative adjustment, like a reminder that says, "this part might not happen."

It is easy to get confused and think missing money would turn into a debt, although it does not. It remains connected to what the company owns, not what it owes. This is similar to when you buy a car and over time, the car loses value: you still own it, but it is worth less. In the same way, missing payments reduce the value of expected income without creating a new debt.

Many people believe that if a company has cash in the bank, it can spend it freely. This is not entirely true, because some of that cash might be needed to pay suppliers or settle other bills. Just because money is present does not mean it belongs completely to the company’s owners. It remains part of the company’s resources, some of which may be committed elsewhere.

Another important point is how unpaid customer bills connect to a company's income. When a business makes a sale, it records the sale as income even if the customer has not paid yet. If the customer eventually does not pay, the company records that amount as an expense, which lowers profits. To be cautious, companies often predict how much they might lose and record that expected loss early, giving a more honest financial picture.

When businesses decide to increase the amount they expect not to collect, they adjust two parts of their reports. First, they lower the value of the receivables. Second, they show the amount as an expense. This process helps maintain balance: it ensures the company does not appear richer than it actually is.

Managing receivables is ultimately about balancing hope and realism. Every business hopes all customers will pay, yet it must prepare for the reality that some will not. By making these careful adjustments, businesses protect themselves from future financial surprises and show a more trustworthy and stable image to investors, employees, and partners. It is one small but powerful step toward long-term success.

A friend of mine runs a flower studio in a quiet province. Income is still “labour in, money out”: work more, earn more; slow down, earn less. She wants more customers but doesn’t know where to start. Here are the tech-enabled steps I recommended, built from her own craft story.

1. Record videos to train assistants

• High season always needs extra hands, yet staff availability is unpredictable.
• Instead of spending 30 minutes walking each newcomer through the basics, film the entire process: prepping flowers, pairing colours, assembling arrangements.
• Let the video run two or three hours—no editing required. New hires watch first, jot their questions, and you spend only 5–10 minutes clarifying.
• When you expand into neighbouring provinces, those videos become remote training material.

2. Share your craft story online

• Fear of “what if my arrangement looks bad” stops many florists from posting.
• Customers buy into your making-of story, not just the perfect bouquet on display.
• Wholesale arrangements for corporates differ completely from styled photoshoots. Talk about sourcing headaches, rush orders, and tricks for keeping blooms fresh during delivery.

3. Recognise your local-market edge

• Don’t compare yourself to city chains. Rural customers need someone who understands them.
• Urban florists can’t necessarily serve the countryside because they lack local cultural context.
• Your advantage is knowing what rural clients value. Say it out loud.

4. Write content customers truly care about

Instead of “my flowers are beautiful and cheap,” share:

• Why flower A costs more than flower B this season.
• How to store a wholesale batch so it arrives in top shape.
• Event-friendly bouquet ideas that balance beauty and budget.

When clients read pieces like these, they think, “This florist really knows the craft.” Next time they need arrangements, you’ll be top of mind.

5. Build a mini funnel for repeat customers

• Create a simple Google Form (or Zalo OA) asking what they need, budget, delivery location.
• Send periodic newsletters/messages: introduce new blooms, seasonal promos, behind-the-scenes stories.
• Archive photos of finished orders with short anecdotes—the perfect source material for social posts.

6. Take care of the florist behind the brand

• Revenue should grow because systems are smarter, not because you grind 20-hour days.
• Keep learning new techniques (online courses in English help—search “floral arrangement techniques,” “wholesale floral operations”).
• Double down on your strengths: understanding clients, staying flexible, being reliable.

Running a flower business outside the city doesn’t have to mean unpredictable income. With a few simple tools, you can work less, earn more, and tell your story in a way customers love.