Vietnam UHNWI population 2028 vs. 2023 growth among top five for APAC
Ahead of APAC peers such as South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore
Each year, The Knight Frank Wealth Report confirms what it takes to be part of the global 1%. Our numbers this year reveal that exclusive as it may sound, it’s easier to be part of the 1% than gain ultra-high-net-worth-individual (UHNWI) status. In all the markets Knight Frank assessed, the 1% threshold starts far below the US$30 million entry point for becoming a UHNWI. Within Asia-Pacific, Singapore leads the regional pack with the highest requirement of US$5.2 million. Singapore is also seeing success in attracting emerging wealth from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, although Hong Kong remains the dominant hub for wealth created in the Chinese mainland.
In 2023, Vietnam’s UHNWI population (US$30M+) (*) was estimated at 752 people, increasing 2.4% y-o-y. While trailing behind SEA peers such as Indonesia’s, Malaysia’s, and Singapore’s UHNWI population growth (4.2%, 4.3%, and 4.0%, respectively), Vietnam’s 2023 UHNWI population growth was higher than Thailand’s 0.8% increase. Looking forward to 2028, Vietnam’s UHNWI population is expected to reach 978 people, increasing 30.0% compared to 2023 and amongst the top five highest growth for APAC, ahead of peers such as South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore.
2028 UHNWI Population (US$30M+) | 2028 vs. 2023 % change | |
India | 19,908 | 50.0% |
Chinese Mainland | 144,897 | 47.0% |
Malaysia | 1,015 | 34.6% |
Indonesia | 1,984 | 34.1% |
Vietnam | 978 | 30.0% |
South Korea | 9,470 | 29.5% |
Australia | 19,491 | 27.0% |
Hong Kong SAR | 7,290 | 22.4% |
Taiwan | 9,174 | 20.1% |
Singapore | 5,535 | 15.7% |
Thailand | 1,020 | 14.7% |
Japan | 24,502 | 12.9% |
(*) The Knight Frank Wealth Sizing Model is dynamic, so these numbers are subject to change and may not be identical to those in the report’s hard copy or previous editions.
The Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index (KFLII), which tracks the performance of ten popular investment categories, reveals that art was the best-performing luxury asset class, with prices rising 11% in 2023, according to The Knight Frank Wealth Report 2024. Jewellery (8%), watches (5%), coins (4%) and colour diamonds (2%) make up the remaining top five best-performing assets, with rare whisky bottles (-9%) the worst performer in the index, whereas wines made a 1% growth and cars reflected a 6% decrease.
Source: Trademap, Knight Frank Vietnam Research
In Vietnam, positive import 2018 – 2022 CAGR for jewellery, cars, wines, and watches were observed at 8%, 26%, 6%, and 8%, respectively. Kevin Coppel, managing director at Knight Frank Asia-Pacific, added: “The latest edition of The Wealth Report reveals that Asian ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) and high-net-worth (HNW) individuals retain a keen interest in luxury investments. Affluent people across Asia increasingly prioritise luxury assets to diversify their investment portfolio and tap into the superior returns some asset classes deliver.”