Brian Harrison Spence
@bhspence
English expat in Vietnam
Forum posts
23
Contacts
1
About me
English
Speaks English
Registration: 04 April 2023
Delighted to have this article published by FT Adviser.
IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOWTen years ago, at the age of 63, my wife and I moved to Vietnam.Like many people starting a new venture, I arrived with a plan.What I didn't appreciate was how often that plan would need to change.Over the past decade, ... Read More
Home Thoughts from Abroad by bhspence
The sound of silenceHanoi is never quiet. By the time I wake, the motorbikes have already begun their long argument with the morning, the street sellers are calling, and somewhere below a neighbour is doing something loud and cheerful with a hammer. ...
@jayrozzetti23 A different road to mine, and I rather envy the peace in it — though I suspect your gratitude and my longing are the same feeling facing opposite ways. Good of you to write. Read More
Home Thoughts from Abroad by bhspence
The sound of silenceHanoi is never quiet. By the time I wake, the motorbikes have already begun their long argument with the morning, the street sellers are calling, and somewhere below a neighbour is doing something loud and cheerful with a hammer. ...
@Aidan in HCMC Thank you — genuinely. It's a fine thing to write something quiet and have it actually land with someone, so I'm grateful.Those two quotes belong together, don't they? Adeney names the cost of the life we've chosen — the ... Read More
Home Thoughts from Abroad
The sound of silenceHanoi is never quiet. By the time I wake, the motorbikes have already begun their long argument with the morning, the street sellers are calling, and somewhere below a neighbour is doing something loud and cheerful with a hammer. ... Read More
IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW — I wouldn't have waited so long.
A lot of people put off talking about money — not because they're disinterested, but because they're not sure what they're walking into.Will I be sold something? Will I feel pressured? Will I be expected to decide something on the spot?A first ... Read More
THE HABIT........
Why are you still waiting?I don’t have enough, is one of the most common things I hear:“I’ll start when I have more money.”Especially from people early in their careers.It sounds sensible.But it’s usually the ... Read More
Financial advice for expats - any experience of using Devere? by jamesfromkent
I've been in Vietnam for a couple of years now, I'm running the VN office of a US software company. Since I've been here, I've been approach by a lot of different investment advisors / financial planners etc. I've spoken to one ...
@Cheryl Thanks Cheryl - much appreciatedBrian Read More
Financial advice for expats - any experience of using Devere? by jamesfromkent
I've been in Vietnam for a couple of years now, I'm running the VN office of a US software company. Since I've been here, I've been approach by a lot of different investment advisors / financial planners etc. I've spoken to one ...
@jamesfromkent Hi JamesI have written a number of posts re finance, why not take a look. Happy to have an informal chatBrian Read More
If I knew then what I know now... by bhspence
One of the more common issues I see with expatriates is delayed pension planning.Strong income years often pass without a clear structure in place.The impact is rarely immediate — but becomes significant over time.Those early years matter more ...
Somewhere in a loft or cupboard lies my greatest unrealised investment return. I just have no idea where.In 1966, when England won the World Cup for the one and only time, the government issued first-edition commemorative stamps. I must have been ... Read More
Markets at All‑Time Highs, Market Timing?
📈 Stock markets are hitting new highs — and that’s when most people hesitate.It feels like the worst time to start.But if you’re investing monthly, today’s price isn’t the issue.You’re not trying to get it ... Read More
Picking up from earlier…
IFA + COVIDPicking up from earlier…I started with what I knew — financial advisory work for expats.It made sense.For a while, it worked.Then COVID arrived.Almost overnight, the expats disappeared and the business stopped.It wasn’t ... Read More
If I knew then what I know now... by bhspence
One of the more common issues I see with expatriates is delayed pension planning.Strong income years often pass without a clear structure in place.The impact is rarely immediate — but becomes significant over time.Those early years matter more ...
@Dannyroc3 That’s a great reflection — and I think you’ve hit on something important.Most people don’t start with a clear plan. They move through exactly what you described — bank advice, managed funds, trying different ... Read More
If I knew then what I know now... by bhspence
One of the more common issues I see with expatriates is delayed pension planning.Strong income years often pass without a clear structure in place.The impact is rarely immediate — but becomes significant over time.Those early years matter more ...
That’s a great example — thank you for sharing it so openly.A couple of things really stand out.The turning point wasn’t a complex investment strategy — it was getting control of spending and creating a surplus. Everything ... Read More
If I Knew Then What I Know Now - What You Leave Alone Still Moves
When I first spent time working overseas — and later living in Vietnam — I assumed what I had back home could simply be left as it was.A pension ticking along.Some investments in place.Out of sight, but in good order.For a while, ... Read More
If I knew then what I know now... by bhspence
One of the more common issues I see with expatriates is delayed pension planning.Strong income years often pass without a clear structure in place.The impact is rarely immediate — but becomes significant over time.Those early years matter more ...
@OceanBeach92107Hi O.B.,Great to hear from you — and thank you, I really appreciate your message.It sounds like you’ve done exactly what most people struggle to do — you’ve brought structure, discipline, and shared purpose ... Read More
If I knew then what I know now... by bhspence
One of the more common issues I see with expatriates is delayed pension planning.Strong income years often pass without a clear structure in place.The impact is rarely immediate — but becomes significant over time.Those early years matter more ...
I’ll be honest — when I first looked at markets, savings, investing… it all just felt like noise.Charts moving up and down. Headlines changing every day. Everyone sounding like they knew what was coming next.I didn’t feel ... Read More
If I knew then what I know now... by bhspence
One of the more common issues I see with expatriates is delayed pension planning.Strong income years often pass without a clear structure in place.The impact is rarely immediate — but becomes significant over time.Those early years matter more ...
I’ll be honest — when I first looked at markets, savings, investing… it all just felt like noise.Charts moving up and down. Headlines changing every day. Everyone sounding like they knew what was coming next.I didn’t feel ... Read More
If I knew then what I know now... by bhspence
One of the more common issues I see with expatriates is delayed pension planning.Strong income years often pass without a clear structure in place.The impact is rarely immediate — but becomes significant over time.Those early years matter more ...
@PhuNinhTim That’s a great story — and a powerful reminder of how one moment, one conversation, can shape the rest of your life.What stands out is not just the decision itself, but the timing. You were at a genuine crossroads, and you ... Read More
If I knew then what I know now...
One of the more common issues I see with expatriates is delayed pension planning.Strong income years often pass without a clear structure in place.The impact is rarely immediate — but becomes significant over time.Those early years matter more ... Read More
Expats in Vietnam — what should you have in place after 5–10 years? by bhspence
I’ve been speaking to a number of expats recently who have been in Vietnam for 5–10 years, and it raised a question.At that stage, what should you realistically have in place financially?Most people seem to be earning well and saving ...
Interesting perspective — but worth being careful here.Making big financial decisions just to reduce what others might receive can sometimes create more problems than it solves, especially around tax or long-term security.In most cases, a ... Read More
Expats in Vietnam — what should you have in place after 5–10 years?
I’ve been speaking to a number of expats recently who have been in Vietnam for 5–10 years, and it raised a question.At that stage, what should you realistically have in place financially?Most people seem to be earning well and saving ... Read More
Financial advice for expats - any experience of using Devere? by jamesfromkent
I've been in Vietnam for a couple of years now, I'm running the VN office of a US software company. Since I've been here, I've been approach by a lot of different investment advisors / financial planners etc. I've spoken to one ...
@jamesfromkent Hi JamesTime has gone now but I am interested to know if you found financial advice that you were happy with.SincerelyBrian Read More
USA Citizen : looking for information by Svho
For USA citizen how long can you leave the country before required to come back? Also, for the people who travel and live alone, where do you keep your passport? I am thinking you leave it at the rental property?
@williamherron13 Is this Bill Herron from Dow Corning? Read More