Most People Go To Asia And Come Back The Same. The Rare Ones Don’t
I reached out to an investment adviser in Australia last week. He mentioned, almost in passing, that he was travelling to Ho Chi Minh City with his family.
We invited him to meet us while he was there. A briefing on the Vietnam market. An hour, maybe less. He declined. Family time. Only a few days.
I understand that. I respect it.
What I can’t get past is the instinct behind it. Here is a man whose job is to find opportunity for his clients. He is standing in one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia. And he passed.
Asia is not a holiday destination with a side order of investment potential. It is the region that will define the next thirty years of global capital flows. The demographics. The infrastructure build-out. The rising middle class. Vietnam alone has been one of the world’s most consistent growth stories for two decades.
Curiosity is not a personality trait. It is a professional obligation.
The ones who will matter in ten years took the meeting. Asked the question. Came back from Asia changed – not just rested.
Most people go to Asia and come back the same.
The rare ones don’t.
PS If you’re thinking about what the next decade looks like for your portfolio, I’d enjoy the conversation. Find me at linkedin.com/in/davidthomas-asia