I borrowed nearly $200K to invest in stocks and crypto, then lost it all

I am 35 years old and the director of a construction company in Ho Chi Minh City. I have a wife, two children, a home in neighboring Binh Duong Province, and a car worth nearly VND1 billion (US$38,500).

This is not to show off. The car is simply a tool, necessary for long-distance travel, client meetings, and doing business.

For the past decade, I worked hard and saved every bit I could, putting almost everything into rental real estate. The VND75 million I earn monthly from leases does not make me wealthy, but it gives me peace of mind, something stable for my family’s future.

But in 2024 and 2025, I made a different choice. I mortgaged my assets and borrowed VND5 billion (US$192,000) from the bank, going all in on stocks and cryptocurrencies. I entered the market with full confidence, trusting my instincts, research, and sense of timing. I thought I understood it better than most.

At first, I made big profits. Watching my account balance soar, I felt validated, like I was finally playing the game right. So I doubled down, convinced I was in control. Then, everything disappeared. The money was gone. My account dropped to zero. The VND5 billion debt remained. There would be no second chance in that market.

The loss was not just financial, it left a void. I do not blame the market or anyone else. The decisions were mine alone. But I now realize that investing is not just about data and strategy. It is about mindset, knowing when to stop, and, most importantly, being able to reassess yourself in the moments when you think you are winning.

Looking back, I am grateful I had built a foundation in real estate. Without that steady rental income, I might have fallen into a complete crisis. Yet what lingers is not the money. It is the weight on my mind. Waking up every day thinking: "I should not have done it."

In this industry, especially after 35, people no longer look at you with the same expectations. That is why I now prioritize sustainability, financially and mentally, for myself and for my family.

Maybe one day I will invest again. But I will never again be the man who believed he could get rich quickly with a few lucky trades. I lived that belief and I paid the price.