It is now nearly impossible to buy a new apartment at the VND 2 billion mark. According to a report in 2022 from Rever, a Southeast Asia technology firm in real estate brokerage, for VND1.5-1.8 billion, one can buy a 30-55 square meter apartment built 6-10 years ago in Thu Duc City, on the secondary market. The average income of workers in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) this year is about VND148 million a year, according to property listing platform Batdongsan.com.vn. By that calculation, it will take up to 24 years to save, with no spending on anything, just to buy an apartment. The type of apartment used in this survey costs VND3.5 billion per unit. The data also shows that Vietnam ranks first in Southeast Asia in terms of the gap between house prices and average worker incomes. From 2018 to 2021, the ratio of the difference between real estate prices and the average income of Vietnamese has continuously increased, surpassing even Singapore. On the other hand, Indonesia, Malaysia and … [Read more...] about A laborer needs to save for 25 years to buy an apartment
Mcleodganj new year party 2022
Vietnam’s retail market proves attractive for foreign investors
People shop at a supermarket in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnam is becoming an attractive retail market for companies all over the world with many regional and global FDI investors recently announcing plans to increase capital and expand distribution networks here. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnamese retail market is worth 142 billion USD and is expected to increase nearly 2.5 times to 350 billion USD by 2025. In January, total retail sales of consumer goods and services decreased by 6% on-month to more than 481.8 trillion VND (20.4 billion USD) due to weaker demand as many commodities were purchased ahead of the Lunar New Year. People spent more on festival activities post Tet, said the General Statistics Office. However, it still rose 13% year-on-year. For the first two months of the year, the country’s total retail sales of consumer goods and services advanced 13% over the same period of 2022 to over 994.1 trillion VND. … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s retail market proves attractive for foreign investors
VPBank sells 15% stake to Japan’s SMBC for 1.5 bln USD
Vietnamese lender VPBank on March 27 signed an agreement to sell its 15% stake to Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) through a private placement. At the signing ceremony between VPBank and SMBC (Photo: VNA) With this deal, SMBC, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc (SMFG), has officially become a foreign strategic investor of the Vietnamese bank. The investment from SMBC will help VPBank raise 35.9 trillion VND (approximately 1.5 billion USD) of Tier 1 capital (equal to 30,160 VND per share), increasing its equity to approximately 140 trillion VND from 103.5 trillion VND. Following the investment, VPBank will become Vietnam’s second largest bank in terms of equity, which allows it to serve a wide range of customer needs in various segments, including retail banking, corporate banking and SMEs. The robust capital stance will also back VPBank in serving large-scale enterprises, particularly the FDI and multi-national companies … [Read more...] about VPBank sells 15% stake to Japan’s SMBC for 1.5 bln USD
High-tech talent pool to aid transformation
Proposals relating to cooperation and encouraging foreign investors to join Vietnam’s innovation journey were addressed at some forums, including one at VIR’s headquarters and the annual Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) organised in Hanoi over a week back. Working groups of the Vietnam Business Forum touched on a variety of topics and recommendations for greater progress Photo: Dung Minh One particular area of discussion focused on the digital economy and tech such as blockchain. Do Tien Thinh, deputy director of the Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC) said at VIR’s forum on digital transformation on March 21 that the NIC is working with many big foreign technology groups to connect them with domestic enterprises to implement training courses and technical supporting programmes. Thinh said Google has implemented digital skill training courses for businesses, especially startups. In mid-2022, Google launched a certification initiative and Startup Academy Vietnam, … [Read more...] about High-tech talent pool to aid transformation
Thua Thien-Hue, Laos’ Attapeu province strengthen cooperation
Secretary of the Thua Thien - Hue provincial Party Committee Le Truong Luu. (Photo: VNA) Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – The cooperation between the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and Attapeu province of Laos has been strengthening and generating practical results in fields, Secretary of the Thua Thien - Hue provincial Party Committee Le Truong Luu said on March 27. At a working session with a Lao delegation led by Secretary of the Attapeu Party Committee and Governor of the province Let Xaynhaphon, Luu and his guest informed each other of their local socio-economic developments, administration and Party building work, and cooperation results over the past time. They also discussed cooperation opportunities in the coming time, and affirmed the two sides will further coordinate to finalise a draft cooperation agreement for the 2023-2027 period. They will effectively implement an agreement to manage and protect the borderline, prevent and fight against all kinds of cross-border … [Read more...] about Thua Thien-Hue, Laos’ Attapeu province strengthen cooperation
Vietnamese female entrepreneurs take the lead in boosting green growth
The event saw the participation of representatives from 31 women's associations from across the country. The seminar's aim was to promote sustainable growth and development within the female-led business community in Vietnam and share developments in sustainable practices and integrating environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG). The conference was part of a larger sustainable business development initiative, officially launched by VAWE in 2022, that focuses on reducing emissions and negative impacts on the environment and society, as well as integrating ESG into corporate values. In attendance was Ton Ngoc Hanh, vice chairwoman of the Vietnam Women's Union, who said, "This seminar encourages a spirit of responsibility in Vietnam's female business community, showing the commitment and determination of everyone here to join hands with the government in achieving the goal of green growth, and to contribute effectively to sustainable development in the country. " Nguyen … [Read more...] about Vietnamese female entrepreneurs take the lead in boosting green growth
Vietnamese farm produce finds favour in Belgium
Participation in the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has also enabled Vietnamese farm produce to make inroads into the European market. Belgium is Vietnam’s sixth-largest trade partner in the EU. Bilateral trade surged nearly 54% to 4.3 billion USD in 2021 compared to 2020, and reached 4.5 billion USD in 2022. Notably, since 2018, Vietnam and Belgium have become strategic partners in agricultural cooperation, which was an important milestone in relations. Besides agriculture , Belgium also wants to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in fields such as tourism and healthcare. In addition to economic success, political and diplomatic relations between the two countries have also been thriving thanks to frequent high-level visits. Vietnam and Belgium have also strengthened cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums and in international organisations. With a stable foundation over the past five decades, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam … [Read more...] about Vietnamese farm produce finds favour in Belgium
Vietnam and Australia boost cooperation in education, agrifood
The cooperation aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Australia. The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is collaborating with businesses and government in Hanoi, Hue, and Danang to deliver the "Vietnam- Australia: Unlocking Opportunities in Education and Agrifood" roadshow series starting on March 27 in Hanoi with the participation of over 400 Australian and Vietnamese businesses, organizations, associations and institutions. The program aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Australia. Australian food and beverage showcase during the seminar took place on March 27 in Hanoi. Photo: Australian Embassy Vietnam At the kick-off event in Hanoi, Andrew Goledzinowski - Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam shared that the program will deepen engagement and expand opportunities for Australian and Vietnamese partners in the agrifood and education … [Read more...] about Vietnam and Australia boost cooperation in education, agrifood
Vietnam and Australia co-operate in education & agrifood
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is collaborating with business and government in Hanoi, Hue and Danang to deliver the Vietnam –Australia: Unlocking Opportunities in Education and Agrifood roadshow series starting from 27 March in Hanoi with participation of over 400 Australian and Vietnamese businesses, organisations, associations and institutions. Participants at the event The project, which was organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Australia, is expected to have a significant impact on trade between the two countries. Austrade is delivering two roadshows in six different cities of Vietnam including Hanoi, Hue, Danang in March 2023 and Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Can Tho in September. It will provide opportunities and Australian and Vietnamese businesses and institutions to connect and collaborate in different regions of Vietnam. The first phase of program is launched in Hanoi … [Read more...] about Vietnam and Australia co-operate in education & agrifood
Japan’s SMBC acquires 15% stake in VPBank for US$1.5 billion
The agreement surpasses the VND20 trillion ($850 million) acquisition of a 15% stake in BIDV from KEB Hana Bank (South Korea) in 2019, setting a new record in the banking industry. VPBank announced that it has completed the sale of a 15% equity interest to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. of Japan, a member of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, in a transaction valued at $1.5 billion. CEO of SMBC Masahiro Yoshimura and Chairman of the Board of Directors at VPBank Nguyen Chi Dung at the signing ceremony today. Photo: VPBank SMBC Group's latest deal with VPBank makes the former a new strategic investor in the latter. The agreement sets a new banking industry record, with a deal value of VND35.9 trillion ($1.5 billion), surpassing the VND20 trillion ($850 million) acquisition of a 15% stake in BIDV from South Korea's KEB Hana Bank in 2019. The investment is expected to increase VPBank's total capital from VND103.5 trillion ($4.4 billion) to around VND140 trillion … [Read more...] about Japan’s SMBC acquires 15% stake in VPBank for US$1.5 billion