I am currently traveling in Vietnam - no such thing as North and South, as they leave the past behind and get on with life today. And despite the global financial crisis - now most often written as the acronym 'GFC' - you have a sense of a people that are very industrious, great entrepreneurs and of course have a zest for life. This is a country going places.

Vietnam, which is about the size of Tasmania, has a population of about 85 Million people (imagine stacking that number into Tassie). The gap between the poor and not just the rich but the middle class is huge. Mind you that is a throwaway for so many parts of the world.

But when you travel here - and there are many other countries in Asia with similar populations - you have to feel optimistic about the future" for the region, for the Australian economy and, for that matter, for the global economy.

So when I say that the next boom will be the mother of all booms, I mean it. Traveling in Asia just reminds me of the latent power within the region. It reaffirms in my mind the validity of the 'economic super cycle.' I can't help but be overawed by the potential for demand for our resources as the standard of living in these developing countries escalates and their economies gain traction.

I have been a long-time subscriber to the 'economic super cycle' - but always have to caution that within these super cycles there are recessions along the way and we are experiencing one such disruption right now.

My belief in the 'economic super cycle' does not prompt me to go out and buy the market as we can be smarter and get our timing right.

So the big picture is great but you still need to be smart about it all - so get your education foundation right as that will enhance your returns many fold in the next leg up in the global economy.

Enjoy the ride.

Tom Scollon
Chief Analyst
Trading Tutors Team