Understanding Vietnam's Growing Economy with Hugo Bosch | S14 E8

"There’s a youthful, hungry population here—and you can feel the energy in the streets every day." – Hugo Bosch

I absolutely loved this episode. Hugo was not only a fantastic guest, but also someone who opened my eyes to a side of Vietnam I hadn’t properly explored before: the stock market and capital markets. I’ll admit it, even as a long-term expat here, I never really thought much about investing in Vietnam. But after this conversation, I came away with a whole new perspective—not just about stocks and finance, but about the real growth and potential happening in this country every day.

From his insights into Vietnam’s economic boom to rowing through weed-covered patches of the Saigon River, Hugo brought stories, stats, and humour in equal measure. And as always, we kept it real—talking about what it’s like to build a life here, why people stay, and what might make them leave.

Key Talking Points

• Vietnam’s stock market: how it works, how fast it's growing, and why foreign investors should care.
• The "demographic dividend" and how a young, urbanising population is fuelling rapid development.
• The joy (and danger) of motorbikes in Saigon, plus the shift toward electric bikes.
• Rowing on the Saigon River—yes, that’s a thing—and what makes it wildly different from the Thames.
• How foreigners view Vietnam vs. the economic reality on the ground.

Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Welcome & Hugo’s origin story
• 06:00 – The joy of riding motorbikes (and switching to electric)
• 11:00 – What are capital markets? And how Vietnam’s stock market works
• 16:00 – Vietnam’s growth story and demographic dividend
• 28:00 – Trusting the stock market & investing as a foreigner
• 32:00 – Rowing in Saigon: weeds, tides, and surprises

"Send me a message!"

This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.

Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!

🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!

👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:

🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN!

👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!

These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

✅ Subscribe for More!

If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.

📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website 🎉 Join Our Community!