I have previously shared stories about the workshops I attended on my blog, but I feel compelled to introduce and "brag" about them once again — that these workshops are completely free, just one of the dozens of amazing perks my company, Netcompany, provides for its employees.
Truly a wonderful and inspiring company culture.
First and foremost
A heartfelt thank you to all my colleagues, organizing teams, and the After Dark club members who passionately curate these thoughtful workshops. Whatever the format or theme, they always receive enthusiastic support!
Being "free" here doesn't stop at the entrance ticket; it covers the entire end-to-end experience: you are always generously treated to cakes, drinks, and snacks of all kinds to stay fully energized.
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All materials, tools, and supplies are meticulously prepared from A to Z, waiting for you to simply step in and start creating!
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You are fully reimbursed for travel expenses to and from the workshop venue.
You get dozens of top-notch, candid photos taken by dedicated photographers.
You enjoy relaxing quality time connecting and chatting with colleagues outside of work.
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You bring home one-of-a-kind "trophies" (your handmade workshop creations) as souvenirs.
And most importantly, you gain brand new experiences that you might never have thought of or had the chance to try before.
At Netcompany, you always have the "choice" to join any extracurricular activity via our After Dark clubs. Whatever your taste or hobby, there is a community waiting for you. Personally, I am deeply drawn to indoor, hands-on crafting workshops that produce tangible keepsakes. I have to say that every single event organized by our colleagues and clubs is exceptionally well-structured, professional, and enriching.
Before joining Netcompany, my concept of workshops was a solid round zero — I thought they were overpriced and uninteresting. But from the moment I attended my very first one, my perspective completely flipped. It's just like how I used to wonder why people would pay money and exhaust themselves running marathons, until I laced up my own shoes and ran one. Everything exists for a reason; we simply need the right experience to appreciate it.
While I am a hardcore fan of indoor artisan workshops, many colleagues thrive on energetic outdoor adventures: running, cycling, mountain climbing, basketball... while others love relaxing board game nights and karaoke sessions.
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It is an undeniable fact that Netcompany offers perks that are hard to find elsewhere: from the people and scale to the thoughtful execution. It gets addictive — whenever the After Dark channel pings with a new announcement, you have to act fast because slots fill up in the blink of an eye!
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Every now and then I still switch things up with other genres! And as you can see in the photo, I was in quite a... defensive posture :))
Let's take a quick look back at some memorable moments from the workshops I've shared :D
My "Trophy" Showcase is Officially Full
After attending so many workshops, my display shelf at home has officially run out of room. Whether the finished product turned out gorgeous or a bit clumsy, each piece holds a deeply cherished memory.
And the main protagonist of this workshop is, once again... me! :D
About the Art of Cloisonné Enamel (Pháp Lam)
Pháp Lam (Cloisonné) is the traditional art of applying colored enamel onto a copper body and firing it at high temperatures to create vibrant, enduring works of art.
Learn more in the introductory article at: https://a302.link/lam-sac
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Sketching looked promising, but painting water-based enamel onto metal turned out to be quite tricky — one slight slip and the colors bleed!
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When brainstorming ideas, I hit a creative block and asked AI for a hand. But while AI generated a 10/10 intricate artwork, I automatically simplified 80% of the details out of fear of botching it :D
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The high-temperature kiln after painting was complete. The founder explained that timing and temperature must be calibrated precisely for the enamel colors to develop properly.
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The workshop took place in a cozy coffee shop on D5 Street, Binh Thanh District.
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Hehe, wandering around to peek at everyone else's masterpieces.
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I was initially pretty pleased with my creation, until I took a walk around the room and realized: everyone here was a secret master artist, and I was just an ordinary participant having fun :))
Right after painting it looked a bit messy, but after coming out of the high-temperature kiln, the glossy, vitreous finish made it look surprisingly artistic!
A pleasant evening in exchange for a handmade keepsake, a bunch of great photos, and most importantly, a full tank of positive energy before starting a new work week.
Thank you all for reading, and see you at the next After Dark workshop!
