My Experience Investing in Vietnam for 15 Years (BIGGEST MISTAKES I MADE!)

[@shannonsx4143]

No filter, real talk -> REAL RESPECT for speaking up Ken

[@seymorefact4333]

🤣🤣⛔ Hey Ding Duong...the US deep state buy your benz?! how many people did you loot to buy the benz...ITS TRIPLE THE PRICE IN VN! VN IS becoming the philippines...go get a happy ending, stay at a cheap lux hotel for a few days to get your freak on and go home after trashing the country! I would never by a property in VN ...duhhh its a scam. YOU'RE A SCAM!

[@AndrewSmith-nc9rl]

LoL ... "Stealing is a National pastime in Vietnam." Thanks for the upfront, honest opinion.

[@theyhateme8763]

Which country isn't ? You sound bitter sounds like you failed hard and expected to be treated special 😢.and all you did was hand people money. Or just another LBH that would never have money to invest.. I'll wait to know which country is pure 😊

[@andrewloi5320]

Not only Vietnam. Nearby 'M' country too.

[@dnguyen787]

LOL

[@edisonmichael3852]

😂😂

[@theyhateme8763]

@@Chr1s808 i just left japan.. beautiful country. couldnt tell the diff between the robots and people.. japan is doing great, this past summer they passed a law saying foreign worker were now seen as human. but still not allowed in some areas..knock yourself with that buffet of racism

[@phoso1]

Thank you Ken. 👍 40% Family 30% Business 20% Health and wellness. 10% Reflect and Meditate.

[@ogikilla]

Bro, you hit it on the nail. Stealing is a national past time! You don't hold back.

[@seymorefact4333]

🤣🤣⛔ Hey Ding Duong...the US deep state buy your benz?! how many people did you loot to buy the benz...ITS TRIPLE THE PRICE IN VN! VN IS becoming the philippines...go get a happy ending, stay at a cheap lux hotel for a few days to get your freak on and go home after trashing the country! I would never by a property in VN, philippines, Thailand, India.. ...duhhh its a scam. YOU'RE A SCAM! Let's hope it doesn't become a vassal of the US..then, the military diseases will totally destroy VN.

[@edv1261]

Thank you for your advice, especially the stealing part. It’s best to lay low and not share anything with anyone. Take care

[@username-t1x]

always appreciate your no-BS content

[@frederickclause2694]

Many of your warnings apply to the world in general and not just to Vietnam. Thank you for your honesty.

[@McPhan]

Long time follower. Thank you for sharing your experiences in Viet Nam. Hopefully, I can retired in Viet nam in near future.

[@ngapham6614]

Good luck

[@tanletran7270]

"Stealing is a National pastime in Vietnam." You are absolutely right. It happens at all levels in Vietnam

[@romeodamoco2150]

Interesting,,, I'm from the Philippines but have been based in d west for more than 2 decades but planning to move back and set up business, I believe Vietnam n The Philippines have similarities, so this blog has given me informative inputs. Just subscribed.😊

[@theyhateme8763]

The Philippines and vietnam has very little in common besides hating china

[@kubilaydeniz8809]

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing. I fully support and believe in you. One day I will need you support and advise… Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪.

[@ddo80]

Great overall insights on investing (or not) in VN as well as with people. Terrific feedback Ken

[@kenpreville168]

Hey Ken. I just came across your videos recently and I must say that I am very impressed.

[@youngdro8196]

Great video. I love Vietnam, been there 5 times now in the past 2 years. I'm glad I followed you now because your videos and input are very valuable. Cảm ơn rất nhiều!

[@duongglobalbusinessconsulting]

Welcome aboard!

[@alexdegaston422]

I like how honest and straightforward you are about things. I feel still quite naiive about business in Vietnam. I spent over 3.5 years working there. My wife is Vietnamese. My son is a dual Vietnamese-American. I work for a large Vietnam-headquartered company in the USA. When people ask me for advice on investing in Vietnam I tell them that I haven't been there long enough and that people should be there at least 5 years before they can start offering decent advice. Personally, if I were to invest in anything else in Vietnam I'd do so with my brother-in-law Lawyer and very smart father-in-law as equity partners. If they aren't willing to put their skin in the investment then neither am I. Yes I have an investment there right now. But its not anything I ever count on for my family or retirement.

[@sebastianniqvist3144]

14:47 I met a former diplomat from a Scandinavian country who was based in Hanoi. He told me all the money his country gives to Viet non-profits goes to the pockets of private individuals. The sick part is that this is an open secret and embassies just do nothing about it. Why? Because the public sector just wants to spend money in order to get a bigger budget the next year. The money these embassies don’t spend is deducted from next year’s aid budget and they get less money. Unlike the private sector that tries to reduce costs the public sector just burns money.

[@TheDixiechick12]

Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge Ken.

[@vsalasarcr]

Fantastic video, thanks for sharing some of your successes and failures, best wishes.

[@loveaodai100]

As an American who has been here in Saigon more than 30 years and who is now retired and content to remain here… respectfully suggested… never generalize about anything. Rather take every person and every situation and judge them on their individual merits. With respect to starting a business… again… respectfully suggested that before investing in anything that you work at least two or three years in the business and learn the ropes. Something as simple as a food shop has a million issues to understand from human relations, food preparation and safety, marketing and presenting the product in an appealing way, how to get along with landlords, authorities etc etc etc.

[@runningbear9131]

shut up shithead .stealing is in the Vietnamese DNA

[@vaughnwilliams1208]

You can very easily compare Vietnam and Thailand as he makes very clear by figures and personal experiences by many tourists. You obviously don't like what he's saying, only. I agree with what people are saying about scams and the bad people there.

[@Congtrihayankeomut]

It’s unfortunate some experience that Ken has over the years in VN. I have to say some of his experiences are true. My advices for those interested in investing in VN are as follows: . In selecting partners, do not go for those aspiring business men (they may take you for a ride) , select those that have sustainable businesses n good track records. You’ll be surprised how many good n honest business people you can find Vietnam. Go for those that are selective in business partners. . Dont let appearances deceive you. I know many wealthy Vietnamese ride normal cars/ motorbikes or dressing very ordinary (not flashy). They don’t care. That’s where you may find some valuable connections. . In businesses always check your accountings/ sources, honest business people expect you to do that. If you dont, they’ll not respect you or you maybe asking for trouble.

[@Congtrihayankeomut]

@@Fakir497what I can tell you is I work for a private owned liquor wholesaler/ distributor . We sell liquor mostly on credit n only get full payment months after. We’ve never lost a dime because we’re very good at selecting partners. One time , a customer who is a bar owner got into trouble with the law. We thought we lost all the money he bought liquor from us on credit (billions Dong) because he was being investigated. 2 years later he came back n returned all in full amount. He didn’t have to because we thought he was bankrupt. We’re still business partners til today. You may be suprised how many similar cases I’ve come across over the years working in wholesale. When you meet serious people, you’ll know.

[@sangbangify]

Thank you for your valuable life experiences. I hope we can all learn from your experiences and can avoid common mistakes.

[@johnlye8209]

Another great insight! Thanks. Beyond business fundamentals, may I add integrity, perseverance and self-fulfillment in a realistic and everchanging environment, geopolitically, socially, etc... Lastly, you will do best when you enjoy what you are doing.

[@robertreid59]

I don't know much about the social, economic and environmental factors influencing Vietnam. However, you've really enlightened me by sharing your experience. Thanks

[@walsakaluk1584]

That was excellent free advice that could be applied in any business environment, especially cross cultural. Just change the condiments to suit. Real wealth isn't flaunted. The only people who don't make mistakes are those who don't do anything. Don't trust too much. Family security first.

[@peter-o6f7g]

from one businessman to another businessman. we all made mistakes in the beginning and never gives up and enjoy the journey. hope we can meet this year and chat

[@Gw2kitty]

Thank you for sharing your experience and expertise, i empathizes with your pain. The world is very volatile now, de-risk.

[@MrEeMeat]

I just subscribed. Am I too late to get the VND?

[@philtran1550]

Great content. When I'm in Vietnam next, let me buy you Com Tam and CFSD bro.

[@dablackdon]

Another great episode , wise advice and great tips and warnings. I did want to open a small hotel in Vietnam about 5-7 years ago, then I learned more about how business works in Vietnam as all the requirements and how over priced land is in vietnam to own (With a partner) and building or buying a building. and how difficult the Vietnamese Government make it to take your OWN money back out of the vietnam banking system. Then even opening a local business catering to locals has to be right niche , business model. etc. open a club VS a banh mi stand. open a retail store, factory, etc. Partners and friends who want to cheat you with money. Scamming real estate agents. etc.. At this point I'd just invest only what I can afford to lose. Most profitable business type I've narrowed down to is to hire a small staff to do customer service to my online businesses aboard, or for manufacturing, or IT local to overseas client. or just a full brown V.A. service company.

[@4985muhammadali]

Ken sir listening to you, very much confused thinking it will be good or not to start a business in Vietnam

[@cbatcba]

Due diligence is the key!

[@WilsonWilson-ec9dq]

Appreciate the transparency and wisdom

[@ngapham6614]

Trinh Vinh Binh @ David Duong.People seem to forget these 2 names & what happened to them in VN.

[@andrewlaw1460]

It takes a lot of courage to be honest about failures . It is great to finally see a honest review on the difficulties and opportunities when investing in Vietnam.

[@cryptoshills]

What about a solopreneur SAAS business that only employs ai agents as “staff” and on occasion hires contracting web based work (e.g. designers and marketers)?

[@sirjames3788]

Hi, Great video. I had a deal to open a liquor shop in D3. Unfortunately the deal fell through, lost $3500 (deposit+1 mnth), website, designer. Not a lot of money but it was a good opportunity that was wasted. The lawyer who brokered the deal was dishonest. I learned a lesson. Vietnam is a difficult place to do business but there is a lot of opportunity. Where is your bar ?? Thanks

[@stevequan1135]

Thanks for the wisdom and information.

[@robertwang7825]

I started investing in property from 2001 in China because my wife is HK and can buy. I reckon I made around Rmb10M and also started a business that made Rmb2.8M annually for 11 years before we stopped. Overall it was an incredible ride. We sold all before 2020 because I could see a bubble. Everything was quite transparent and according to law.

[@brendanmccreanor1191]

Great Advice, thank You

[@JohnNguyen-x1w]

Ken... I've been watching your videos for quite sometime now... and to be frank with you... some I like...some I don't... but today I'm going press on the "Subscribe" button, not because of your "com tam" offer :-) but for your great stories and great advices. I wish you the best.

[@donnguyen8443]

Com tam for a simple hit the subscribe button? Take it!

[@thienpham911]

came to look for copper and found gold...You earned yourself a new sub, sir.

[@richardly438]

Super helpful advices!

[@mkaizen1756]

In all countriew, stealing foreigners will be common, specially in poor countries with a high social inequality. This is part of humans nature in order to survive or being greedy taking advantage of other people.

[@Ballin10X]

Nice video! What area are you driving around in? Looks very nice

[@duongglobalbusinessconsulting]

Sala, Thư Duc.

[@Coyoteanimations]

Doing business successfully is always challenging anywhere in the world. However, in Vietnam, an additional challenge (and usually is the main one) is dealing with the VCP. You just can't trust them but yet you have to work with them. In other words, they are always your "partner" who can help you but also can stab you in the back anytime during your journey.

[@tbbarabara]

Hi Ken, Portugal is supposed to be the 5th most honest and safe country worldwide. My experience there is similar to yours here--except I also had an agent break into my apartment and steal about $4000 USD. That was just one issue. So much for honesty in Portugal. That's why I am here in Vietnam. I love Vietnam and would love to invest here but "once burned, twice shy". In addition, I cannot get a long term visa. That makes any serious investment difficult. I never had the issues anywhere that I had in Portugal. BTW, I haven't had anyone break into my apartment and steal yet here in Vietnam :).I trust too much, too.

[@priortokaraew7569]

brother, all the analytics from ucla etc. fell flat on its face. did you incorporate the global consulting company before or after you learnt how things actually worked?

[@VK-tq4il]

Good question.

[@boydr7160]

Great Video.

[@HippiePajon]

Thank you Ken!

[@giaonguyen7236]

It does not matter where you invest your money , you should have to research all aspects . Asia countries have very similar corruption and scams in lots of countries. It was very sad to hear that , and it did happen. Asia is not only the country has 13 months' salary, France also does. . Hope things can get better in the futures

[@shortclipwriter]

Your comment near timestamp 36:19 "we have a lot more people to help" is the primary seed that was important for your company's growth. Some individuals in your past were focused on how they could help themselves, which cannot be ignored, but needs to be at the bottom of the goals list.

[@Homebrand16092]

Great video, thank you

[@mstkw-pu4qt]

Finally! Someone who actually calls it like is! Real honest truth about what the culture and mentality is. I did my research for 2 years before i was told its a scammers paradise. Its really unfortunate but if the shoe fits....🤣

[@chuongnda06]

Good work over the years bro ❤

[@dnguyen787]

The problem with small firms investing in Vietnam is getting butchered when getting fatter by a local authority! That's what has happened to overseas Vietnamese businesspeople in many years already. 😞

[@venzoom]

don't break the law if you don't want a bad result

[@andyhughes1776]

Vietnam had always been corrupt, even before 1975. So I asked a Vietnamese businesswoman if there are still bribery in Vietnam. She said, "If there is no corruption, it is not Vietnam!"

[@fishbait007]

Social security exist in Vietnam?

[@kydrone]

i hear its easy to make money in Vietnam, but it can be lost any time.

[@Yru2noz]

Not easy, trust me.

[@ngapham6614]

Easy come easy go. 😊😊😊

[@ajx6417]

A shoestring budget forces you to seek lower prices on everything. You must act as though you have a shoestring budget even if you do not have one.

[@VK-tq4il]

Ken, I have three comments: 1- Thanks for your honest input good/bad experiences. 2- 100,000 VND voucher to subscribe to your channel is called BRIBERY. 3- All these stealing, corruptions and monkey businesses in Vietnam I am surprised you did not blame on CHINA !!!

[@danielphan7475]

Why China has anything to do with stealing and bribery that the Vietnamese has ? I do not get it …

[@HieuHoang-py8oe]

The Xray scammer, I mean scanner lady at Ton That airport said I won’t need to pay tax when I bring in foreign goods if I have a business license. Can you give me more info on that?

[@ogikilla]

what was the name of that bar?

[@vsalasarcr]

Greetings, let him tell us the name of the bar and I'll send him a beer. 😉

[@oldrabbit2121]

Kenny's Massage Parlor for passport bros... 🤣😂🤣

[@ogikilla]

@@vsalasarcr I thought I have been to every single cigar bar in D.1 but never heard been. The only one i can think of is on dong Khoi street inside an alley behind the main street.

[@pendletonimaging]

House of cards .....absolute TRUTH

[@xdgs567z]

You are right, stealing is part of the Vietnamese culture….I met a girl in Vietnam and I fell in love with her only to find out she was stealing money from me behind my back!😢

[@VK-tq4il]

You make me worry, I am in a long distance relationship, fully supporting her. I met her last December, on my last day all of a sudden she was pouring tears, literally pouring that is when it hit me. ANY ADVICE ?

[@xdgs567z]

@@VK-tq4il has she asked you for money to pay for English classes or buy her an Apple Watch? Once she starts asking you for money, my advice is to don’t send any….over time she will ask you again and again….the loss will pile up at the end once you eventually break up

[@phitruong-xt1pz]

@@VK-tq4il big trouble my friend. Even in the state long distance relationship are hard to hold. I’m 99% sure that she just looking for financial support. Hard to find genuine true love there my friend

[@dr1ft3r07]

@@VK-tq4ilstop sending money for 6 months and see how long she will stays with you. If she can do without your money for that time then she is alright.

[@Yru2noz]

​@@VK-tq4ilbe careful with the girls in VN. Not all are bad, but majority are👹

[@hue9962]

Great video Ken

[@alexandermathteacher]

Good advice !

[@okayq]

This is a great video!

[@user-ds8zk4fg1z]

In Vietnam even your families scams you so be careful 😂 it happens to me

[@lenhua1947]

Ba con ong chu scam too

[@xdgs567z]

I got scammed by a girl I met online and by her family …..if you watch Vietnamese short movies, it is all about people scamming each other 😂

[@theyhateme8763]

your granma over charge you?

[@ajx6417]

Vietnam does not have National Healthcare?

[@shortclipwriter]

My Thoughts: - - - - - I came into a lecture hall for the first class of Business 101. Thoughts on success and failure: - - - - - I think business is similar to sports. A season has many games. Play to win each game. When one is lost, study and learn to avoid another loss to finish the season in good standing. When the time is right, success arrives. It will be denied if we abandon the ride.

[@Grandpa_Mike]

Trust but not blindly! Use your experience and instincts to help with trust but always verify.

[@Kalifornia-Screaming]

I live in OC California Garden Grove / Westminster. I do business and well aware of the Vietnamese Tricky Ways 😂

[@donnguyen8443]

McDonalds in Ho Chi Minh City just recently closed down. Starbucks just shuttered a Ho Chi Minh City coffeehouse. I am sure many are just waiting out their lease contracts and lease obligations. I know 4 Viet Kieus that have invested in setting up some form of business in Vietnam with a small nest egg. All of them have left back to the States and much poorer. Just my 2 cents of input. Good to see your KZbin channel growing. Perhaps that might be the only silver lining success of all your business ventures thus far

[@ebx100]

So glad to hear McDonalds is leaving HCMC. Suck unhealthy food, I'm from the USA and 50% of the population is obese. Diabetes is like an epidemic there. Eat healthy!

[@donnguyen8443]

@@ebx100Starbucks is closing down locations too. Point is it is really difficult to succeed. Look at all the Vietnamese local businesses barely making it. Lots of "For Lease" and "For Sale" signs on those storefront buildings!!!

[@fishbait007]

@@ebx100stupidity☝️

[@phamman88]

I wonder what’s the franchise?

[@thaido3220]

Could Vietnamese day-by-day business activities work without blatant briberies and corruptions? What is the impact on the economy and development of VN?

[@gene_retire]

Good video

[@anitap2286]

u forgot to mention that one should have lots of $$$$$ for briberies in order to get approvals for all your applications.

[@chuannguyen6842]

Very good, Ken.

[@Buy725]

N also be more careful with peoples surround you your partners or spouses

[@davidcase1286]

your first mistake in opening the speak easy was opening the speak easy 🤣

[@farfarsfavoriter-trij6451]

make video about cuong dola ppls sir =)

[@son_o_day]

Can money solve my problems to living in VN? If I'm making 10k USD income every month as a freelancer, what would be my best course of action to getting living full time legally in VN. I don't have a degree, so I can't go down the 'easy' way of just applying for a job there.

[@felixyang4094]

true ,true, true

[@StephenMortimer]

GREAT INTROI

[@JosephMarquez-pj9dp]

Remain as a independent salesman hit and move. The world market is your oyster. No HR, employees, partners only yourself.

[@alexyoum3141]

🔥🔥🔥

[@NewAgeRanger]

One video is invest and do business in Vietnam, Vietnam is the new China (never will happen. Vietnam is growing but it has a long way to go to work on legal framework, infrastructure, monetary policy, logistics, control of global supply chains and natural resources), real estate crash, don’t invest in real estate, Vietnamese steal, etc. Consistency? Vietnam is no different than most places. Know who you’re dealing with, don’t rush, do your due diligence, trust no one even yourself. When I hear stories about ppl being ripped off I have to ask what’s the back story? Foreigners often come into a developing country with too much optimism, enthusiasm, arrogance, show off how much money they have as compared to average local, etc. Then on the other hand you have westerners that don’t have much and didn’t make it in their own country and they come to places like Vietnam with $5000 or less and think they are somebody and throw their money around or invest in some “business” thinking it will make them easy money and aligning themselves with untrustworthy ppl. Desperation, greed, theft, and deceit can work both ways. Vietnamese are hard working and industrious ppl. There are good and bad ppl everywhere. You have lived in America and you know it is no different here. Most Americans live paycheck to paycheck, have a mortgage and don’t own their house outright, live on credit cards, are overstretched.

[@Alextran68]

Bro you know you can’t trust any lawyer. Especially a Vietnamese lawyer in Vietnam 😂

[@Flyer631]

I love how he always ads on extra years. If you have followed his videos from the start, they go from 7 years to 9 years to 12 years and now 15 years.... He ads on extra years to his videos.

[@duongglobalbusinessconsulting]

Are you bullying our attorney? You can invest in a country and not live there. Investing is different than living. Why is that so difficult to understand?

[@Flyer631]

@@duongglobalbusinessconsulting learn how to comprehend before you respond. He has made videos over the years talking about his knowledge and expertise. It went from 7 years to 9 years to 12 years to 15 years pretty fast. It’s called basic math. The years are impossible to calculate correctly. I’m not discrediting his ability, he could be the best attorney in existence but you can’t go from 7 years to 15 years in less than 8 years. Math 101.

[@duongglobalbusinessconsulting]

Well, it looks like you have a lot to comprehend. He has been investing in Vietnam for 15 years but he has only lived in Vietnam for 12 years. And next year will be 13 years of living in Vietnam. Duh

[@jimknight5420]

Would it be possible to put Vietnamese subtitles on all your content. I have Vietnamese family and friends who would like to follow your youtube channel.

[@duongglobalbusinessconsulting]

Too much work. Please use closed captions.

[@QuantumVoyager]

1) You talk more natural in this setting, rather than the outside (stop & go style) 2) Never say a country is bad to invest in, because everyone invests in different types of business. i.e. You can build coffee, snack/cafe, online English teaching company, property management... ect..

[@theyhateme8763]

1. No one's doing you a favor ever . Unless you had a close relationship far before business. 2. Charity is always somime pushing their agenda. I always do direct charity.. look at all large charities pennies on the dollar go to help others.. it's to push agenda and clout. 3. people who say they have friends in X position to help them out.. arnt their friends . 4. If people are showing you flash of cash they shouldn't need your cash to invest. Driving around in a merc is no different than flashing a Lambo.. 80 percent of the price of that car is import tax . Never do business with local businesses.. 5. Good friends in banking good friends in gov.. cough cough sounds sketchy

[@VK-tq4il]

I agree with you, CLINTON FOUNDATION, 15% for charity and 85% expenses !

[@theyhateme8763]

@@VK-tq4il 15 percent is higher than most..google the big names. 1 or 2 percent

[@zorlitazorlita2654]

And "lying" is a sport.

[@edisonmichael3852]

I am thinking to retire and move in vietnam, is it a good idea ?

[@Chr1s808]

Maybe take a trip there first and see if you like it but for me the answer is no.

[@edisonmichael3852]

@@Chr1s808 Thanks, that means Thailand is better for retirement then vietnam ?

[@Chr1s808]

@@edisonmichael3852 Visit both countries and see what you like better. Remember you can always move if things don’t work out.

[@Chr1s808]

@@edisonmichael3852 as far as I know Thailand has a retirement visa while Vietnam does not.

[@tran936]

Invest in VN takes a lot of risks and at least 5-10 years to bear fruit. I’ll probably dead by then. S&P 500 for me. Slowly but surely.

[@xevenau]

Duong that type of partner who has your back.

[@Kodiak727]

Never invest in vietnam. There are 10x opportunities in usa.

[@michellepivert3964]

J'ai fait trois voyages complets au Vietnam avec mon épouse vietnamienne 2012, 2014,2016 jamais nous n'avons pu retrouver les mêmes gérants des établissements fréquentés, disparus, hôtel de luxe déclaré failli, restaurants détruits, ailleurs l'herbe est plus verte ! pour vivre heureux vivons caché .

[@xikefocus]

Be careful, bro! talking to much negatives about VN while living there. Big brother might be watching. Just saying.

[@ngapham6614]

You're right. He might be in trouble sooner or later.

[@bear02128]

I've been investing in vn for a for many years. I can say the road is not smooth. You have to have a strong stomach. On paper it's a great place to invest. If you are in real estate, the advice is to buy the worst house on the block. In any business you want to get in on the ground floor. Investing in vn is not the ground floor. You are investing in hell. There is a saying. If it's easy everyone would do it. If you want to be part of the 1%, you have to do what the 1% do. 😂 I live in an area where your connections mean more than or just as much as what is in your bank account. Vn and america is not so different. It's just warmer over there.

[@Hakka佬]

Hahaha stealing is a national pastime time in vn” so true.