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Why some VietKieu succeed while others dont?

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andyhrboss

Hello

I have seen many VietKieu came back to Vietnam, failed, lost money then ran back to US or Canada or wherever with resentment, angry and in cases hatred for the local Vietnamese. This post is not to discuss that but rather an attempt to explain why they failed. this article is not to encourage any VK to bring their hard earn money back to VN or any other countries in the world for that matter. It is simply presenting a concept that " either you do or you dont. Don't do a half-effort job"

Do you know those Vietkieu left VN prior to 1989 are more successful than those left after 1989? Below is one reason that I can think of.

1) ALL-IN mentality - those came to US prior to 1989 had no choice but to go all in because they can't go back to VN. They didn't have the luxury of thinking " if it doesnt work out, I can go back to VN". They had no choice except to make it work. They must gave it all their effort to make it in their new country. Those who came after 1992 could legally return to VN due to normalization signed by Clinton in July 1992. They knew they can go back to VN if things dont work out. Most of them would leave behind some assets in VN in case they need to come back thus they did not go ALL-IN.  Same for the Vietkieu who dont have the ALL - In mentality.

Most VK dont bring all their money back to Vietnam and when they face a problem, they will not give it all their effort because they know they can go back to US to start a new business or get a new job to rebuild. If you ask the successful VK in VN, you will see those are the ones who call VN as their " home" instead of US or Australia or some other third country. I call VN as my home since 2014 and it has been quite a positive and fruitful experience. I mean after all, would any business owners want to work with a potential partner or employee who wont give it all?

For those failed VK in VN, I found out a common trait as beliw

1) Coming back with wrong reason - I came back to VN thinking I can make money instead of helping the country back in 2007-2010 and I lost. People can feel how genuine a person is and we all know that most of us can see right through " bulls**t" so why bother? I came back to VN in 2014 with a different mindset and I am quite happy now. I am here to help people of VN and in the process I will make money.

2) Lack of Adaptability-  I came back to VN in 2007-2010 and I lost money. Why? Because I was forcing my skills on VN market.  I went back to US 2011-2014 and been here in VN since then. This time I am much more happy and successful. Why? Because now I provide what the market needs instead of what I have. Simple concept right? I learned that in high school and college but it really took me 20 years after graduation to really sink that one in. Find out what the market need then offer that. If you don't have it, acquire it so you can sell it to the market demand.

I am sure many of us VK will have comments and I will even receive hate messages :-) The truth will prevail. And pls forget and forgive my english bc I dont call myself an English God :-)

vietcong161

You are absolutely right,

THIGV

andyhrboss wrote:

Do you know those Vietkieu left VN prior to 1989 are more successful than those left after 1989?


Have you considered that those who arrived prior 1989 were able to thrive in the economic boom years of the Clinton presidency.  A lot of their US wealth was generated through entrepreneurship but a lot more came to them through real estate appreciation.  Those who arrived in the US since 2008 have struggled through a period of economic stagnation.  Perhaps losses incurred in Vietnamese investments by the pre-1989 people were partially based on the fact that many did not really have great business skills but were simply in the right place at the right time in the 90's.

andyhrboss

Economic boom during Clinton? Really? I thought Clinton was and is Democratic? Economic boom and Democratic presidency together?

But sorry we are not here to discuss politics. I am glad you can contribute a different angle.

Guest2023

Sometimes we have to fail, to then succeed in the future.

THIGV

andyhrboss wrote:

Economic boom during Clinton? Really? I thought Clinton was and is Democratic? Economic boom and Democratic presidency together?

But sorry we are not here to discuss politics. I am glad you can contribute a different angle.


I am not discussing this from a political angle.  You made it political.  It is in the statistics.  Look them up.

In fact let me help you: 

Regardless of who takes the credit, the 90's were boom years in the US and Bill Clinton was President from 1993 to 2001.

QuidProQuo

People fail for many reasons. This applies to anyone who emigrates to another country. Not everyone has a feel good story to tell. The odds are stacked against you when you move to another country and start over. People who fail don't do enough planning and a small percentage still fail even after all the planning. What important is can you accept multiple failures before making it big? All it takes is one chance to be successful and not everyone has the tenacity and perseverance to stick with it.

bizdeals

its interesting that those that returned from the Eastern block countries have done better (vin group and vietjet bosses) than those from usa, canada, australia etc..one reason suggested is that they focused on mass market products and services...while the others tried to do fancy startup tech shit...

QuidProQuo

bizdeals wrote:

its interesting that those that returned from the Eastern block countries have done better (vin group and vietjet bosses) than those from usa, canada, australia etc..one reason suggested is that they focused on mass market products and services...while the others tried to do fancy startup tech shit...


speaking from experience???

Thaiger

A cynic might suggest that Hanoi's old loyalties run deep so they favouritise eastern bloc emmigres and shaft the Southerners/ western bloc peeps

videriant

I think it's basically what the OP said.

The ones that came thinking they could make a quick buck did not adapt to the environment but instead of shouldering the blame place it on others.  Ironically, they probably failed back at home too.

There's also the luck factor.  But then it comes down to how you deal with it.  The strong ones pick themselves back up and try again whereas the weak ones fail and run away.

ronaldpark

Yes, the Clinton years did foster and experience an economic boom.  Also, there were many programs aimed to help the "boat people" who came in the early eighties.
But I do agree with the "all in mentality"; success is based on passion, opportunity , and effort.

Best
Ron

wellfed

So the first part is Vietkieu's who fail in the US/Canada and the second part is Vietkieu's who failed in Vietnam, from what I gathered.  I can't mention much about the second part but I can about the first.

I think it also has to do with socioeconomic class.  Those that left early were more from the upper echelon who had the means and the money to leave and establish themselves early.  Those that left later were not as fortunate and have a more difficult process of integrating to the new culture.

samsaigon

As long as you have good connection to the local authorities, level of authorities depending on one's capital investment.

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