Brett Davis - AsiaLIFE Magazine

finance
Swim with the Fishes
By Paul McLardie
The holiday is over and
it's back to work. I’ve just
returned from a great week in
Nha Trang learning to dive. As
this was the first time for me,
I found it amazing. But it also
got me thinking. Why do small
fish protect themselves like
they do, and can we learn any
financial lessons from them?
Schooling. Small fish group
together in a school to protect
themselves from larger predators.
They swim around with
no real direction or leadership.
In these collective groups,
they feel safer than they
would out on their own.
In investment terms,
schooling can be seen as following
the crowd rather than
stepping out on your own.
This can be dangerous, as
you are putting your trust in
others who know and maybe
understand less than you do.
These are the people who
sit down with friends over a
beer and listen to investment
tips and advice. It goes up,
down and round in circles.
Not a very stable investment
environment.
Anemones. Instead of
schooling, clown fish of Finding
Nemo fame swim inside
the tentacles of anemones for
protection. By using a large
hiding place, the clown fish
can get on with their lives
not having to worry much
about larger predators. This
may not seem like such a
grand gathering, but using
the established anemones
as protection reduces each
clown fish's risk.
The anemone is the large
financial institution offering
different types of investment
and savings products to meet
your individual needs. It offers
knowledge, protection and
most of all, flexibility. It allows
individual investors to change
their plans as and when
needed.
Cleaner Fish. Everyone
needs cleaning once in a
while, even fish. Cleaner fish
stay close to larger predators,
cleaning the parts that
the bigger fish can’t get to.
Big risk for a small fish. The
predator can eat them whenever
it wants, but the small
cleaner fish know this is the
risk they need to take.
In investments, cleaner
fish are people who are not
deterred by the risk of an
investment. They only see the
reward at the end. It can be
considered very short-sighted
to lay all your investments
in high risk areas, but the
rewards can be spectacular.
You just need to be aware
that your money may get
consumed without any prior
warning.
So what sort of fish are
you? To me, it’s always best
to find your inner Nemo.
Paul McLardie is a partner
at Total Wealth Management.
Contact him at Paul.
mclardie@t-wm.com.
IF Consulting
IBC Building, 3rd Floor
1A Me Linh Square, D1
4th Floor, 5 Ba Trieu
Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: 3827 7362
Fax: 3827 7361
Email: pascal@insuranceinvietnam.com
Private insurance and finance.
Indochine Councel
Han Nam Building, 65 Nguyen Du, D1
Tel: 3823 9640
www.indochinecounsel.com
Business law firm specializing in legal
services to corporate clients in relation to
their business and investment in Vietnam.
Inspired Image
42/2A Ho Hao Hon, D1
Tel: 091 635 2573
www.inspiredimage.co.uk
Image consultant and personal stylist.
Previous clients include business leaders,
TV presenters and busy professionals.
Phuong Nguyen Consulting
TPC Business Center, 92-96 Nguyen
Hue, D1 Tel: 3829 2391
www.pnp-consulting.com
Specializing in business facilitation,
conferences, education counselling,
market-entry research and IT/business
consulting.
Rouse & Co. International
Abacus Tower, 58 Nguyen Dinh Chieu,
D1 Tel: 3823 6770
www.iprights.com
Global intellectual property firm providing
a full range of IP services including patent
and trade mark agency services.
Star Management Limited
92-96 Nguyen Hue, D1 Tel: 3897 2765
www.starlimited.com
Business advisory services for companies
investing in Vietnam, business project
advancement and a range of business
development services.
Total Wealth Management
66/11 Pham Ngoc Thac, D3
Tel: 3820 0623
www.t-wm.com
Specialists in selecting and arranging
tax-efficient savings and pension plans
for expatriates. Offers councel on private
banking services, wealth protection in
offshore jurisdictions, currency risks and
hedging strategies.
Towers Watson Vietnam (formerly
Watson Wyatt and SMART HR)
Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue, Suite
808, D1
Tel: 3821 9488
Global HR consulting firm specializing in
executive compensation, talent management,
employee rewards and surveys,
HR effectiveness and technology, data
services and total rewards surveys.
DECOR
Antique Street
Le Cong Kieu Street, D1 between
Nguyen Thai Binh and Pho Duc Chinh
A variety of antiques and faux antiques
from Thailand, China and Vietnam
including silverware, compasses, lighters,
brass knockers, urns, vases, abacuses,
religious and pagan statues, candlestick
holders, furniture and watches.
Anupa Boutique
84 Pho Duc Chinh, D1 Tel: 3915 1473
Retails in unique and affordable range
of console and coffee tables, trays,
mirrors and lamps in a range of different
textures such as leather resin, bamboo
and walnut.
Asian Fish
34 Mac Thi Buoi, D1
Boutique-style arts and crafts store selling
locally made gifts and souvenirs, all designed
by the Japanese owner. Products
include clothing, bags, crockery, sandals,
chopsticks and jewellery.
Aquarium Street
Nguyen Thong Street, D3 between Vo
Thi Sau and Ly Chinh Thang
Dedicated street has everything one
needs to display fish: tanks, decor, feed,
filters and the fish themselves.
Budget Housewares Street
Corner of Pasteur and Nguyen Dinh
Chieu
Stock up on shower heads, kitchen
supplies (juicer, spatula, grater, etc.),
coat racks, clothes hangers, pots, pans,
champagne flutes, bowls, coolers, trash
bins, ironing boards, magazine racks and
the like.
Chau Loan
213 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3825 7991
Gallery based in a colonial shophouse
stocking mainly Vietnamese-themed oil
paintings and images of Buddha. Also
deals in better-known reproductions.
Decosy
112 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9917
Producer of a large selection of European
styled furniture and interior fittings,
specializing in wrought iron and patine
(distressed) wood finishes. Also stocks
a wide-range of decorative accessories,
crockery and fixtures. Custom design
services available upon request.
Dogma
175 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3836 0488
www.dogmavietnam.com
Located upstairs from Saigon Kitsch, this
art gallery deals in Vietnamese propaganda
posters, apparel, accessories and
random paraphernalia. Large prints are
sold at USD $60 each and small prints
cost $25.
Minh Boutique
15 Nguyen Thiep, D1
Lacquerware pieces, tea boxes, teapot
warmers, ice buckets and sake drinking
sets all handmade in Vietnam. Also sells
a range of silverware, egg holders and
ice tongs.
OUT-2 STUDIO
L6 Fafilm annex
6 Thai Van Lung, D1 Tel: 3825 6056
STUDIO@OUT-2.com
www.out-2.com
Studio space for independent designers
to showcas their wares, sell their work
and meet with clients. Open Monday t
Saturday 10 am to 6 pm.
Phuong Mai
213C Dong Khoi
www.phuongmai-gallery.com
Gallery specializing in original oils by
Vietnamese artists. The works here are a
mish-mash of styles but do contain some
standouts, particularly well-known local
artists La Hon, Quy Tam and Pham Trinh.
Sapa
125 Ho Tung Mau, D1
Offers a better selection of hill tribe
handicrafts than most of its rivals.
Concentrates mainly on the hand-woven
clothing of the indigenous tribespeople of
the region. There is also a line in ladies’
shoes and the standard range of silk
wraps and bags.
Son & Then Photogallery
94 Mac Dinh Chi, D1
Adorning the walls of this gallery-cumcafé
are a number of photographs by
local photographers mostly focusing on
tasteful female nudes. Smaller prints start
at USD $20 while larger works can reach
$500. Framing, consulting and delivery
services are also available.
Vietnam-Quilts
64 Ngo Duc Ke, D1 Tel: 3914 2119
www.mekong-quilts.org
NGO enterprise specializes in quilts and
sells a range of appealing handmade
products created by underprivileged
women in Binh Thuan Province.
ELECTRONICS
Hi End Audio
84 Ho Tung Mau, D1
A standout that stocks the very latest and
greatest in home entertainment. Retails in
everything from giant plasma-screen TVs
to audio equipment. Most top brands are
available.
iDEAS Shopping Centre
133-141AB Cach Mang Thang Tam, D3
The largest of the electonics stores
along the street, the three-storey iDEAS
sells every type of electronic and home
appliance imaginable. Offers proper warranties.
Staff speaks some English.
Nguyen Kim Shopping Centre
63-65 Tran Hung Dao, D1
Tel: 3821 1211
www.nguyenkim.com
Stocks DVD/CD players, cameras,
TVs, hi-fis and more from Sony, Sanyo,
Panasonic, Philips and other major
manufacturers. Also a good place to pick
up electronic kitchen supplies like coffee
makers and rice cookers, as well as large
and small appliances, from hot water
heaters to regrigerators.
Phong Vu
125 Cach Mang Thang Tam, D1
Tel: 6290 8777
www.vitinphongvu.com
Two-storey electronics store retails in
international products conveniently
grouped by brand. Carries computers,
home audio, printers, hard drives
and more, as well as a variety of mobile
phones, handheld electronic devices and
accessories.
Savico
117 Ho Tung Mau, D1 Tel: 3821 7993
One-stop electronics and home appliance
superstore. All products have a one
to three-year warranty.
Tech Street
Huyen Thuc Khang Street between Ton
That Dam and Nguyen Hue, D1
Sells compact discs, DVDs, electronic
money counters, video games and
systems, Discmans, mp3 players and
portable DVD players.
FURNITURE
Appeal
41 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 5258
A small, upscale shop that offers modern
accents for the sleek dining room. The
colours of the over-sized vases and
fruit bowls are either glistening red or
lacquered black.
AustinHome
20 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 3519 0023
Outstanding quality and style for your
home. The shop says its products are
hand-picked by an American furniture
expert from the best factories in Vietnam.
Upholstery, accessories, antiques and
more.
Catherine Denoual
15C Thi Sach, D1 Tel: 3823 9394
Beautiful showroom with clean lines and
a sumptuous array of bedroom products
including bedside lamps, linens, pillowcases
and duvet covers.
Decosy
112 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 9917
Producer of a large selection of European
styled furniture and interior fittings,
specializing in wrought iron and patine
(distressed) wood finishes. Also stocks
a wide-range of decorative accessories,
crockery and fixtures. Custom design
services available upon request.
El Gallery
23 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3824 8306
Traditional decor with a modern twist.
Offers a variety of mid- to high-range
furniture, rugs, lighting, art and accessories
from around the world, plus interior
design services. Also imports furniture
to Vietnam for export to Europe and the
United States.
Esthetic
2B Ngo Van Nam, D1 Tel: 3910 1996/7
Design and manufacture as order with a
mixture of antique and modern furniture.
Friendly staff speak excellent English.
Furniture Outlet
3A Ton Duc Thang, D1
Tel: 2243 7955/3911 0104
Wide selection of well-crafted and carefully
constructed pine wood pieces at
good prices, aimed at customers craving
a taste of Europe.
Furniture Street
Ngo Gia Tu, D10 between Ly Thai To
and Nguyen Chi Thanh
Very affordable furniture can be found on
this stretch: couches, mattresses, desks,
chairs, etc. It often takes some looking to
find a gem. A connected sidestreet, Ba
Hat, features woodworkers’ shops.
Gaya
1 Nguyen Van Trang, D1 Tel: 3925 1495
www.gayavietnam.com
Four-floor store featuring the work of
foreign designers: home accessories and
outdoor furniture by Lawson Johnston,
Established since 2001
Design, Interior/External Decorations of High Quality Wood Products
Manufacturing for Export, Construction Projects, Retails,...
Copy-Antique Productions, Modern Designs and Made to order
More than 10 years experience
Devoted premium services/after sales services, every time, every where
linens by Corinne Leveilley-Dadda,
furniture and lighting by Quasar Khanh,
laquerware decor by Michele De Albert
and furniture and decor by vivekkevin.
Linh’s White
37 Thao Dien, D2 Tel: 6281 9863
Furniture shop that focuses on solid
wood furniture and decorative items
ranging from pillows and lamps to
bedding. Also offers kids’ furniture and
custom pieces.
Mantra
84 Pho Duc Chinh, D1
Tel: 3915 1473
www.mantravietnam.com
Tables, photo frames, trays, stools are
just some of the elegant vivekkevin items
you will find at Mantra. If you’re looking
for items that use Vietnamese materials
but have a modern contemporary feel,
Mantra is it. New items received daily.
Rare Decor
41 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3822 2284
137/1 Nguyen Huu Canh, Binh Thanh
Tel: 3840 6304/5
Leading home furnishings company in
Vietnam, supplying high quality, unique
products. Also offer custom made
furniture, accessories and lighting for
commercial projects and home use.
Remix Deco
222 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3
Tel: 3930 4190
www.remixdeco.com
Boutique furniture store in sprawling white
with modern furniture including sofas,
tables and seating from around the world.
Featured designers include Le Corbusier,
Ray & Charles Eames, Philippe Starck
and Ludwig Mies Van der Rhode.
Shop 63
63 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 3898 2821
Large, serene antique shop specializing in
furniture in French colonial, Asian and art
deco styles, as well as lamps, vases and
other home décor from around the world.
Also carries small collection of original
paintings, fashion and jewellery.
The Furniture Warehouse
3B Ton Duc Thang, D1
Tel: 6657 0788
namtran121@yahoo.com, ttpnam@
webtnl.com
Offers a range of reasonably priced Italian,
European and French colonial sofas,
indoor/outdoor wooden furniture, lighting
and interior décor, as well as custom
designs based on clients’ specifications.
All at international quality export.
The Lost Art
31 Nguyen Cong Tru, D1
Tel: 3829 0134
Extensive product range as well as
comprehensive interior design service,
from initial conceptualization to design,
manufacture and installation of unique
products.
The Sixty Three
63 Xuan Thuy Ward, Thao DIen, D2
Tel: 0938 485 211
www.let-us-do.com
New show room concept store of architectural
and interior design collective ‘Let
Us Do.' Specializes in unique and original
furnitures, interior decoration, lamps and
women’s fashion and jewellery.
Thien An Furniture
90A Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D1
Tel: 3910 5650
A range of beautiful furniture with a
distinct traditional flavor from colourful
silk lampshades, wooden carved beds,
screens, chests and more.
LEGAL
Allens Arthur Robinson
Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1
Tel: 3822 1717
www.vietnamlaws.com
Australian law firm for law translation
services and legal advice on foreign
investment and business in Vietnam.
Baker & McKenzie
Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan, D1
Tel: 3829 5585
www.bakernet.com
International law firm providing on-theground
liaison and support services
to clients interested in investigating,
negotiating and implementing projects
in Vietnam.
Frasers International
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
Tel: 3824 2733
www.frasersvn.com
Full service commercial law firm providing
international and Vietnamese legal advice
to both foreign and local clients specializing
in transactions in Vietnam.
Indochine Counsel
Han Nam Building, 65 Nguyen Du, D1
Tel: 3823 9640
www.indochinecounsel.com
Business law practitioners specializing
in mergers & acquistions, inward investment,
and securities & capital markets.
Limcharoen, Hughes and Glanville
Havana Tower, 132 Ham Nghi, D1
2B Ngo Van Nam, Dist.1, HCMC
(Near the Mandarine restaurant)
Tel: (84 8) 3910 1996 / 97 –
Fax: (84 8) 3910 1995
Hot line: Ms. Nhat Thu Director - 0903 849 232
Email: esthetic@vnn.vn
Website: www.estheticfurnishing.com.vn
94 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 95