Why do you have to choose the harder path?

“Why do you have to choose the harder path?”

This question was posed to me by a wealthy man after I had declined his proposal and the future he promised: a life of financial comfort as a stay-at-home wife and mother. That question has stayed with me, not as a source of doubt, but as a reflection of the values I hold and the aspirations I continue to pursue.

I walked away from a future of ease and luxury, choosing instead to continue my academic and professional journey. I temporarily stepped away from a well-paid position in Vietnam to dedicate the next two years to education. I spent countless nights and weekends learning English and preparing my graduate school applications.

If I have to summarize the driving force behind these decisions, it would be an enduring ambition to fulfill the dream I first formed at 23: to become a globally competent wealth manager, equipped with both technical expertise and ethical conviction, capable of bringing strategic financial guidance to high-net-worth individuals in Vietnam and beyond.

In my early years in real estate, I noticed a serious challenge shared by many wealthy clients in Vietnam: they struggled to manage their wealth effectively. From navigating property rentals to liquidating investment assets and evaluating idle cash investment options, most clients had to make complex decisions on their own – often without sufficient financial knowledge or trusted support. Many didn’t understand how to assess risk or structure a sustainable investment portfolio. Some held underperforming real estate portfolios simply because they lacked time, tools, or expert guidance.

As I supported these clients, I built strong, trusting relationships. Several viewed me as a part of their family. Some even handed me their house keys so I could manage rental properties on their behalf. They sought my advice on saving, investing, and managing their assets. Through these experiences, I discovered where my true passion lies: helping clients make smarter, more sustainable decisions with their wealth.

I began researching the field of wealth management in more developed markets such as the U.S. and Switzerland where the role of a “wealth manager” is highly respected and well established. In Vietnam, however, the concept remains unfamiliar and underdeveloped. I kept asking myself:

“Why are wealth management professionals still not prevalent in Vietnam despite the high and unmet demand in this market?”

In my view, clients need two things before they can delegate something as sensitive as wealth management:

(1) a willingness to trust, and

(2) the right person to trust.

This sounds simple, but in practice, it’s incredibly difficult. Most wealthy clients hesitate to entrust outsiders with their financial affairs. In Vietnam, there remains a critical shortage of professionals with the knowledge, integrity, and credibility to earn that trust.

Realizing this, I made a long-term commitment: to become one of the few professionals who can meet that standard. However, I also knew I still have a long way to go. To succeed in this field, I needed more than just soft skills, strong ethics, or interpersonal abilities – I needed deep technical knowledge, global exposure, and a recognized qualification. I identified the knowledge gaps I needed to fill and began planning my journey. I knew that pursuing a master’s degree abroad and earning the CFA, CFP designation would be essential steps. Therefore, I created a two-year plan from 2023 to 2025 to gain experience in Vietnam’s banking sector, build savings, and improve my communication ability – all in preparation for this very moment.

Today, I’ve followed through on that plan. With two years of experience in real estate and another two years in priority banking, I now have a solid foundation in customer relationship management, investment advisory, and financial services. These four years have been long enough to understand how the industry operates, and more importantly, to understand myself: what I’m passionate about, where I excel, and where I need to grow. At 25, I believe this is the perfect time to take the next bold step: to study abroad, expand my global perspective, and immerse myself in an international environment where I can thrive both personally and professionally.

I see myself as a young Husky – energetic, ambitious, and ready to take on long, demanding journeys. I did not choose the easy path; I chose the meaningful one – the path of sustainable growth over short-term comfort. I believe UConn and the United States are the places that will equip me to “run the long race,” helping me steadily advance in knowledge and make my mark in the global financial landscape.

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, 5th May 2025

@krystenxmvn