In the 1970s and 1980s, at the former Comprehensive School of MGU in the Soviet Union, there was a group of Vietnamese students studying there. They were outstanding youngsters of the late 1950s and early 1960s generation, selected and sent abroad by the goverments. During the days in a country far away from their homeland, they alleviated their homesickness by “composing” witty stories and humorous songs together. Back to Vietnam, they regrouped in the Exchange Heat and Substance group founded by Mr. Truong Gia Binh at the Institute of Mechanics.

This group had a reputation for “disrupting” the orderly atmosphere, which had been stable for many years at a top institute. Theu debated and argued all day long. Not only that, they often sang vulgar songs and cursed. These actions created an extremely democratic atmosphere and fostered creativity in a state agency at that time. Debating to understand each other and then singing parody songs together, they tightened the bonds of solidarity and nurtured the desire for prosperity. Later, they split up to establish FPT and attracted more talents. Here, they continued to promote the “composing” culture.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, anyone who have visited FPT would be surprised by the “vulgar singing” (parody songs) phenomenon. There were all kinds of music, from revolutionary songs, folk songs, bolero, classical… in various languages: Vietnamese, English, Russian, and dialects… Singing in pubs, on stage, by employees, by managers. Dressing casually, formally, with a decent accompanying band… All kinds were there. Truly a distinctive “cultural phenomenon.”

On the occasion of the 4th anniversary of FPT’s founding in September 1992, STCo was officially introduced publicly when Nam Gia (Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam) read the Decision to establish STCo. The decision stated: “The Unlimited Liability Composition Company, abbreviated as STC or Stico, operates in all spiritual fields: singing, dancing, drama, literature, poetry, painting…”.

The peak of STCo was the establishment of the STCo Academy and the bestowal of titles as Academicians upon each other. In 2001, through a vote, 6 Academicians of the STCo Academy were elected, responsible for preserving spiritual values. They were Mr. Hoang Minh Chau, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, Mr. Hoang Nam Tien, Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung, Mr. Nguyen Khac Thanh, and Mr. Le Dinh Loc. This group was called “Luc Vien” (six academicians). Younger members who came later formed the Eight Immortals and later the Thirteen Devils. Alongside the Six Academicians, they could be considered the pioneers of all mischievous activities.

STCo titles did not come with any benefits but were always cherished by colleagues. The “compositions” were printed and circulated in the “Red Book”. STCo performances were held on the company’s anniversary on September 13th each year, becoming the largest measure of STCo talent. Many professional directors and actors once came to participate in FPT’s performances to seek ideas for the Gap Nhau Cuoi Tuan (Hanging out at Weekends) – a very popular program on VTV at the time.

STCo culture was not only expressed through songs, poems, plays, and other creative and humorous forms, but also in the way people interacted within FPT, with sincere and close relationships like family. Particularly, STCo was once included in FPT’s “mourning ceremony” to bless a supervisor on their wedding day or to congratulate a colleague on a promotion with a satirical poem.

It can be said that FPT’s culture with STCo has created a significant difference. Instead of prioritizing the team above all else, it respects personalities and creates conditions for their talents to develop. Perhaps that’s why FPT or FSOFT has attracted many talents, even those “eccentric” members that other places with different cultures would find difficult to accommodate.

The movement has grown stronger through family gatherings of FPT members and is called Stico or STC or STCo, however one reads it, everyone understands what it means.

STCo is not just about different compositions to demonstrate the “swagger” and arrogance of intelligent young people. It’s not just for entertainment during days studying abroad or to relieve stress during tense workdays. STCo is also an extremely effective bonding agent among teammates, erasing the distance between managers and employees. Singing parody songs together is not just for fun but also for comfort during difficult times, consoling each other whenever contracts are lost.

FSOFT, not the exception from the influence of STCo, is one of the subsidiaries with a rich and creative collection of parody songs spanning various aspects and topics. In the early years of its establishment, few knew that STCo was what helped FSOFT sign project contracts.

Former FSOFT Chairman Nguyen Thanh Nam once shared an anecdote: a Japanese customer refused to communicate with FSOFT. Feeling down, the project team hugged each other and went to sing STCo songs together. Unintentionally, this image reached that customer. He met the team leader again and said: “Despite failure, you guys still hug each other to sing like that, I see this is truly a cohesive and powerful team. I think I assigned the wrong task, it’s not due to your incompetence”. Subsequently, FSOFT gained trust and completed the remaining stages of the project. Both FSOFT and that customer became close friends and loyal customers up to now.

In the overall picture of FPT’s STCo, FSOFT still creates a “swagger” and distinctiveness through works like “Onsite Night,” “Xuan Nay Con Khong Ve”… or the stages, performances where STCo shines, FSOFT asserts its creativity unmatched within FPT with immortal performances: “Chẩn,” or “AI Gạch Ngang (Ai-) “… and countless works, songs adapted by later generations of FSOFTers to make them “easier to listen to”, in events, reports, and morale-boosting gatherings at branches in HCMC, Da Nang such as: Anh Cuder, Tinh Ban Dieu Ky, Co Khong Giu Mat Dung Tim…

Not only leaders at all levels and new employees but even FSmall (Children of Employees) once saw STCo as a means, a tool to convey messages, sending loving words to parents through songs like “Bo Em Dan IT”. This may show that while STCo still needs to adapt to suit the diverse audience, it cannot be denied that STCo is a spiritual value.

There is an opinion that STCo is a type of open culture, with the comfort of FPT members at its core. Conversely, some assert that STCo is not a culture but rather a lifestyle closely tied to the creative and liberal nature of FPT individuals. Despite various opinions, all agree that STCo creates comfort and joy for FPT members after stressful working hours. It fosters something unique, distinctive that only FPT members possess.

Edit: Thanh Nga, Minh Duc
Design: Ha Duyen