As a globally experienced financial adviser specialising in wealth management for expat clients, my passion lies in helping people make sense of their finances abroad. Having lived and worked across different countries myself, I know firsthand that being an expat brings incredible opportunities but also unique financial challenges.
If you’re living, planning a move, or even considering retiring in Vietnam, finding the right financial planner for expats in Vietnam can make all the difference.
What Is A Financial Planner?
A financial planner is someone who helps you make sense of your money, and their work includes but is not limited to creating a clear, practical plan to grow, protect, and manage your wealth so you can confidently move towards your goals in life.
What Does A Financial Planner Do?
A financial planner helps individuals and families organise, manage, and grow their money in a structured and strategic way. Their work typically involves assessing your overall financial situation, identifying your financial goals, and developing a roadmap to help you reach them.
A well-qualified financial planner can assist you in many ways, including:
Help you budget effectively and manage debt.
Build investment strategies tailored to your time horizon and risk tolerance.
Guide you in saving for retirement, children’s education, or major purchases.
Review your insurance needs to protect against unforeseen events.
Plan for taxes efficiently and ensure you meet your obligations.
Assist with estate and legacy planning to protect wealth for the next generation.
In essence, a financial planner helps you make informed choices, rather than reactive ones, about your financial life.
What Does A Financial Planner for Expats Do?
A financial planner for expats, on the other hand, takes this role a step further. They specialise in helping clients who live and work abroad, meaning they understand the complexities that come with international lifestyles.
For expats in Vietnam, this includes:
Cross-border tax planning: Understands how your home country’s tax laws interact with Vietnam’s, and ensures you avoid double taxation or compliance issues.
Multi-currency management: Helps you manage income, savings, and investments in different currencies, while mitigating exchange-rate risk.
Investment strategy across jurisdictions: Advises you on where and how to invest, whether that’s locally, offshore, or back home, to keep your portfolio balanced and compliant.
Retirement planning: Ensures that your pension contributions and savings remain effective, even when working abroad.
Repatriation planning: Prepares you financially for the possibility of returning home or moving to another country, so your wealth remains portable and tax-efficient.
Protection and insurance solutions: Advises on international health, life, and income protection that continue to serve you wherever you go.
In short, a financial planner for expats helps you connect the dots between different financial systems and ensures your global life doesn’t leave gaps in your long-term financial plan.
Why Does A Financial Planner Matters For Expats in Vietnam
Life as an expat is exciting, but it also adds layers of complexity to your finances. You’re likely juggling multiple currencies, income sources, and perhaps obligations back home, all while getting used to a new country.
That’s where a financial planner who truly understands the expat experience comes in. They can help shoulder some of your weight off.
In Vietnam, the financial landscape is evolving quickly. For example:
According to Kreston NNC, If you spend 183 days or more in Vietnam within a calendar year (or meet one of several criteria), you may be considered a tax resident. This means you are liable for personal income tax on worldwide employment income at progressive rates from 5% to 35%.
Although direct investment in Vietnamese equities and bonds is possible, the process for foreign investors can still be complex, and regulatory clarity is sometimes lacking.
Because of this, smart tax planning and wealth management are essential for expats in Vietnam. A professional who understands both international standards and local nuances can help you structure your finances efficiently, protect your assets, and seize the right opportunities.
In short, if you want someone who can translate both the global financial landscape as well as Vietnam’s local regulations then you need an experienced financial planner.
What to Look For: 9 Essential Qualities
When it comes to finding the best financial planner for expats in Vietnam, here are nine qualities I believe are absolutely a must-have:
1. Proven Expat Experience
Choose an adviser who has experience working with expats, ideally those living in or relocating to Vietnam. They should understand the realities of managing income across borders, dealing with different tax systems, and balancing assets in multiple countries.
2. Strong Understanding of Local and International Regulations
Your adviser should know how Vietnamese tax laws affect you, especially the distinction between resident and non-resident status. Equally, they should be familiar with international tax frameworks and treaties that may influence your finances back home.
3. Credible Qualifications and Transparent Regulation
Always check credentials. Look for designations such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Planner, and make sure they’re regulated by a recognised body. A credible adviser will be transparent about their background, regulation, and client base.
4. A Personalised Approach to Your Goals
The best financial planning begins with listening. Your planner should take time to understand your goals, whether that’s building long-term wealth, saving for your children’s education, property investment abroad, or preparing for retirement. Because only with a good listener can you have a tailored approach towards your financial goals.
5. A Global Investment Outlook
As an expat, you live a global life and your investments should reflect that. A skilled adviser will help you balance exposure across markets and currencies, ensuring your portfolio fits your long-term goals without unnecessary local concentration or risk.
6. Tax-Efficient Structures and Forward Planning
Beyond investing, expat planning is about structure: where your money sits, how it’s taxed, and how easily you can move it. A planner who collaborates with tax or legal specialists can ensure you’re making smart, compliant choices that serve you both now and in the future.
7. Regular Communication and Ongoing Service
Financial planning is, in truth, an ongoing relationship. Look for an adviser who provides regular reviews, clear updates, and proactive communication, especially as tax laws, currencies and market conditions shift.
8. Transparency Around Fees and Value
You deserve to know exactly how you’re charged. So when choosing a financial planner, ask whether the planner operates on a fee-based or commission model, what’s included in their service, and how often you’ll review progress. Clear communication builds trust from day one.
9. Personal Connection and Cultural Fit
Finally, trust your instincts. You should feel comfortable opening up about your financial goals and personal values. The best adviser-client relationships are built on openness, shared understanding, and genuine rapport.
How to Start Your Search in Vietnam
Finding the right financial planner for expats in Vietnam can seem daunting, but a clear process will make it much easier. Here’s a step-by-step way to approach it:
1. Define What You Want
Start by outlining your goals. Are you planning to stay in Vietnam long-term, or is this a stepping stone to another chapter abroad? Do you want to focus on investing, saving for retirement, or protecting your income?
Knowing what matters most will help you find a planner who aligns with your needs. This could be useful when discussing what you want done with your potential adviser.
2. Shortlist Potential Advisers
Ask for recommendations from other expats in your area: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi or Da Nang all have vibrant communities. Search online for advisers who specialise in expat wealth management in Vietnam. Create a shortlist of three to five you’d like to speak with.
Here are a few platforms where you can ask your fellow expats for more information depending on where you are in Vietnam:
Facebook:
Expats in Vietnam
Expats in Da Nang
Expats in Dalat
Expats in Saigon - Vietnam
Expats in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Reddit: r/VietNam
3. Check Their Credentials and Experience
Review qualifications, regulatory status, and client testimonials. Ask whether they’ve worked with expats from your home country and whether they’re familiar with the financial implications of moving between countries.
4. Have a Proper Conversation
Book an initial consultation, most reputable advisers offer one free of charge. Ask questions such as:
How do you work with expats in Vietnam?
What’s your investment philosophy?
How do you stay informed about local and global changes that could affect me?
What’s your fee structure?
Pay attention not just to their answers, but to how they communicate. Do they listen? Do they explain clearly and patiently?
5. Review Their Proposal
A professional adviser will follow up with a written proposal outlining their recommendations, service scope, and fees. Review it carefully. Does it reflect your goals and your circumstances in Vietnam?
6. Stay Engaged
Once you’ve chosen a planner, agree on regular reviews and updates. Financial planning should evolve with you, especially as an expat, where life can change quickly.
My Personal Approach
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of expats across Asia and beyond. As both an adviser and an expat myself, I understand how important it is to feel confident and supported. My approach is pragmatic, proactive and deeply personal.
Whether you’re planning, consolidating or growing your wealth, I believe collaboration is key. Together, we’ll build a tailored plan; one that not only fits your goals but also adapts as your life evolves. And because I stay up-to-date with global trends and regulatory changes, you can rest assured that your financial plan remains relevant and resilient.
Ultimately, my goal is simple: to help you enjoy the freedom of expat life while laying the foundations for a secure and prosperous future.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Finding the right financial planner for expats in Vietnam takes a lot of time. You deserve someone who sees the bigger picture: your global lifestyle, your local realities, and your long-term dreams.
So you should not rush this crucial part in securing your financial future, instead ask the right questions, and choose an adviser who feels like a true partner.
With the right guidance, you can turn your expat experience in Vietnam into a powerful opportunity to grow and enjoy your wealth, wherever life takes you next.
Get in touch with Benjamin Sharvell IFA today and find out how we can help you move forward in your global adventures!