Opinion | How Vietnamese millennials are broadening their horizons
Twenty-somethings are turning away from the consumerism long associated with emerging markets and, like other millennials across the globe, are prioritising experiences over possessions
Multinational companies take one look at Vietnam’s 6.2 per cent growth rates and its 95 million-strong population and start salivating. Having profited from similar spurts of prosperity across the Asia-Pacific, they know that all they need to do is build the motorbikes and cars, provide the financial services and health care and they will be in for decades of profitability. Or will they?
Hau, a 23-year-old, newly employed quality controller in Ho Chi Minh City has a dream that may well shatter their well-laid plans. He longs to travel.
Handsome and fresh-faced, Hau isn’t saving either. He isn’t thinking of getting married or buying a house.
“I don’t buy clothes. I’m not into Adidas or Nike trainers – they’re too expensive,” he says. “I’m not into clubbing – besides, I drink more coffee than beer!”
Instead, his wanderlust is infectious and all-encompassing: “I want to save up everything for my travelling. When my job is more stable. I will take one year off just to explore the world: Paris, London, Singapore and America.
“I’ve been all over Vietnam – ridden my motorbike to Da Lat (a colonial hill station) and Nha Trang (a beach resort). I’ve even crossed the border into Cambodia.”