Trong Ngo
Creator of HeoLabHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Full-stack developer specializing in TypeScript, Next.js, and modern backend systems. I graduated in 2023 and have been shipping ever since.
HeoLab started with a simple goal: build developer tools I'd actually want to use myself — fast, clean, and smart when you need AI to help. The name comes from my Vietnamese nickname “Heo” (🐷), and “Lab” because every release is an experiment in what a developer tool can be.
I believe the best developer tools get out of your way. They load instantly, respect your data, and give you answers — not friction. That's the standard every HeoLab tool is held to.
What HeoLab stands for
Four principles that guide every design decision, from UI copy to how data is (not) stored.
Speed is a feature
Every millisecond of latency is a paper cut. HeoLab tools are designed to respond instantly — most run entirely in your browser.
Privacy by default
Your data is yours. Nothing you paste into HeoLab is logged, stored, or analyzed. Privacy is the baseline, not an afterthought.
AI that explains
AI features in HeoLab exist to help you understand your data, not just process it. Optional, contextual, and always in your control.
Made with care
Every tool is built to the standard I'd hold my own work to — well-documented, edge-case aware, and genuinely useful.
The journey
From a confused CS freshman to shipping developer tools used by engineers around the world — here's how it happened.
2019
First Line of Code
Enrolled in Computer Science at university in Ho Chi Minh City. Wrote my first C program and stared at a pointer bug for three days straight. That debugging session taught me more than any lecture — and I was hooked.
C → Java → "why are there so many null pointer exceptions?"
2020
The Web Opens Up
Discovered JavaScript and realized the web was where I wanted to build. First dynamic pages, first API calls, first time seeing data update on screen without a refresh. That feeling of instant feedback became addictive.
JavaScript · HTML · CSS · REST APIs · first 1,000 lines of real code
2021
GitHub & Real Shipping
Committed to finishing projects instead of leaving them half-done. Started with an expense tracker, then a shopping app. Joined GitHub and discovered open source — reading other people's code accelerated my growth faster than anything else.
TypeScript · Git · first 100 commits · open source exploration
2022
Full-Stack Goes Deep
Built production-grade systems: a Learning Management System with course creation and progress tracking, an HRM dashboard with payroll features, and multiple REST API backends. Discovered Next.js and fell in love with the developer experience. Late nights, strong coffee, real shipping.
React · Next.js · Node.js · PostgreSQL · 6 production projects
2023
Graduated & Went Deeper on AI
Graduation thesis: an AI-integrated microservices gateway — built in Python, containerized with Docker, wired through CI/CD pipelines. First time designing a system meant to scale. Graduated with honors. Then immediately started building more.
Python · Microservices · Docker · AI integration · graduated
2024
HeoLab Is Born
I kept reaching for the same tools every day while building other projects — JSON formatters, JWT decoders, regex testers. I wanted them to be faster, cleaner, and smarter. So I built them. HeoLab launched publicly with a small set of tools and grew quickly from there.
Next.js 15 · Supabase · Tailwind v4 · Claude AI · public launch
2025Now
Building with the Community
HeoLab keeps expanding based on what developers actually ask for. New tool categories added, AI features deepened, blog launched with technical guides. Still a solo project — shaped by every bug report, feature request, and message from someone who finds the tools useful.
Growing toolkit · deeper AI · community-driven roadmap · this is just the start
Tech stack
HeoLab runs on the same stack I use in every production project. Chosen for developer experience, reliability, and zero lock-in.
TypeScript
Primary language
Next.js
Full-stack framework
Supabase
Database & auth
Node.js
Backend runtime
React
UI layer
Docker
Containers & CI/CD
Selected projects
A sample of what I've shipped on GitHub — from full-stack apps to backend APIs.
LMS
A full Learning Management System with course creation, enrollment, and progress tracking.
TypeScript · Next.jsToeic Backend API
RESTful API backend for a TOEIC exam preparation platform with authentication and progress analytics.
TypeScript · Node.jsExpense Management System
Personal finance tracking app with categorization, reporting, and budget management.
TypeScriptHRM Frontend
Human Resource Management dashboard with employee records, payroll, and leave management.
TypeScript · ReactSpendwise
Smart spending tracker with insights and AI-powered financial summaries.
TypeScriptAI Gateway
Microservices gateway with AI integration — the system powering my graduation thesis.
Python · MicroservicesHave a tool idea, a bug, or just want to say hi?
HeoLab is a solo project shaped entirely by what the community finds useful. Every message gets a real reply.