VIETNAM IS THE FOCUS OF FOREIGN INVESTORS

With favorable conditions in macroeconomic, political and social, Vietnam is a potential destination for setting up company and conduct the M&A activity.

In Vietnam, the growth of the retail market and the entry of international brands, while the average income of consumers is increasing along with stable economic conditions are creating motivation for retail market. In addition, e-commerce sector is growing and accounts for a large part of total retail sales, although traditional forms of shopping still being preferred by consumers.

Moreover, the liberalization of the retailmarket in 2009 created favorable condition for foreign brands to join and domestic brands are constantly expanding in order to maintain market presence. The most developing sectors of the retail segment are food & beverage (F&B) and consumer products.

Vietnam Retail Market

Prospect for the Asian retail market is very positive, the average growth rate in retail sales is 8.5% in the last 5 years. The number of tourist increases is promoting retail activity in the shopping venues with a prime and convenient location. Although the development of e-commerce in the region is now very noticeable, but the traditional forms of shopping still has an important position in the market. The store owner will need to focus on improving the shopping environment and concerning about the customer experience in order to increase competitiveness.

According to Cushman & Wakefield, in the next 5 to 7 years, approximately 1.5 million m2 of retail floor space will enter the Ho Chi Minh City market of retail space, bringing the total number of retail area to nearly 2.5 million m2. The retail market will be busy, especially in the affordable and intermediate segments. The powerful foreign retail corporations will consider Vietnam as potential market in the region, demonstrating that in the period 2014 – 2015, the retail and consumer goods are the mainstream of M&A activity in the world, accounting for 36% of the total value of M&A activity in Vietnam.

In addition, Vietnam ranked 32^nd in the list of nations that have the shopping streets with the most expensive rent cost in the world, in the context of Vietnam is preparing to join a series of free trade agreements such as AEC and TPP, then this will cause domestic retailers to face with many difficulties because rent cost plays the 2^nd important role (after the location) in business strategy. When foreign retailers have strong financial resources, they can afford to hire premises with the most favorable location in the market.

Vietnam Tourism Real Estate Market

Many promient investors have visited Vietnam to explore the market potential. In the real estate segment, Kevin Green, one of British’s leading millionaires has just come to Vietnam to experience the market. He interested in tourism real estate and especially Sapa when the Hanoi – Lao Cai highway has completed. Moreover, the Fansipan cable car when completed will attract huge number of tourists to come here. Convenient transportation is a golden opportunity for tourism real estate.

Sapa is currently attracting around 2.5 million visitors. This figure is expected to rise to 5 million in 2020 due to infrastructure connections between Sapa and other areas are increasingly improved.

When talking about investment opportunities in tourism real estate in Sapa, Kevin Green said that Sapa has a lot of potentials for investment. He interested in the resort project “Sapa Jade Hill”, which is currently being developed. He also works with investors to be able to offer this product to abroad market, while completing the procedure to purchase Sapa Jade Hill villa for long term investment.

Reportedly, Sapa Jade Hill is a key project in Sapa, developed by Truong Giang Sapa and by Dai Hung Investment and International Trade JSC (GBI Land) with a total investment of nearly 2,000 billion USD. This project has completed Phase 1 with 19 service villas, which was sold out and handed over the red book to customer.

In addition, in the Property Expo Conference was held in Hanoi, Kevin Green and enrichment experts have shown a huge shift of capital flow from foreign companies, factories to Vietnam, then this is the most ideal place for real estate investment within the next 5 -10 years. The employment index is an indicator of the increase in value of real estate, as the number of workers in the industrial zone of Vietnam is on the rise.

ANT Consulting is here to assist you from the outset; providing corporate intelligence, risk advisory, management consulting services that assist market entrance, and ensure efficient business start-up operation. 

We strive to save your cost by guiding you towards economical solutions that comply with local legislation and procedures. We support you through early logistic solutions and carry you through as your business grows.  We aim to bridge the gap between international best practices and local cultures and assist foreign companies and organizations entering Vietnam market to overcome commercial and regulatory issues.

We could be reached at email: ant@antconsult.vn or tel: +848 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

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RISK MANAGEMENT NECESSITY IN VIETNAM?

As Vietnam further integrates into the world business, more investors are eyeing Vietnam for investment. As part of investment due diligence, risk management are always well considered before foreign investors decide to do business with Vietnam partners.

In any parts of the world inluding Vietnam, risk is an inevitable factor in business operation activities; higher return is always accompanied by higher risks. Coping and managing risk is an integral part of any business in order to make profit and create value to shareholders in import export transaction, investment, or merger and acquisition activities in Vietnam.

However, in our daily consulting practice, we have seen a number of businesses whom do not manage risk effectively and furthermore not fully understand about the risks that they are facing.

Typical risks in developing countries like Vietnam are political risks, policy risks, regulations risks, credit risks, bribery and corruptions, and organized crimes.

On daily transaction in trading, according to Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade, there are situations a number of corporate scams between Vietnam and foreign enterprises are reported. In particular, foreign companies sell goods or provide services to partners in Vietnam and in return the Vietnam partner fail to pay.

On a larger scale in FDI through business formation or M&A origination and execution, businesses that do not improve the risk management process will have to face with a lot of different types of risks: serious financial losses, adversely affecting cash flows and the value of shares, decreasing prestige with customers, employees and investors.

Many business leaders often put heavy emphasis on the business activity, profit, and revenues instead of concentrating more on risk management especially understading business partners through corporate intelligence investigation, background studying, adverse media search through professional consultants in Vietnam whom understand languages, cultures, legal environment and busieness practices. Further searches could help foreign investors to understand the company itself, owners, shareholders, members of board of directors of partner companies whom make daily decisions of the business.

In the period that global crisis has been predicted that almost bottom out and start to show signs of recovery, although the recovery process can occur with different speed and characteristics depending on sector and location of the business, the fully preparation of business in all aspects including process and risk managementstrategy could helps business not falling into the passive and also have more possibilities to take advantage of growth opportunities after the recession.

Recently in Vietnam with the impact of high inflation rate and economic recession caused by the global financial crisis, enterprises are increasingly concern about risk management activities. Many experts believe that an effective and well organized risk management system will help businesses withstand and overcome fluctuations.

From:  Risk Management in Vietnam

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FOREIGN EXPERTS FELT “BREATHE EASY” WHEN LIVING IN VIETNAM

Vietnam ranked 21st in the economic ranking, but ranked 5th when talking about the saving ability of foreign experts.

According to the survey from HSBC. Most of foreign experts believe that Vietnam had a more comfortable life with less spending on housing costs (62%), travel (73%), clothing (68%), goods and necessities (62%), essential services like electricity, water, telephone (70%) and bills (77%). Thus, experts are likely to save more (68%) while living in Vietnam.

More than half of the foreign experts (62%) said that in Vietnam they can afford to hire a maid and nanny, something that they cannot afford while living at home country, and can enjoy the luxury vacation (52%), compared with only 28% and 36% of global experts.

The survey from HSBC also showed that Vietnam ranked 22nd in the ranking on experience, but 2nd in the ability to make friends. More than half of the foreign experts (56%) find that they integrate quickly into life and culture of Vietnam, and the majority of foreign experts find it easy to make new friends in Vietnam (68%).

Stabilize the life in Vietnam is relatively easy, with 36% of the experts feel like home once or within six months after moving to Vietnam. Most of foreign experts also enjoy integrated into in Vietnam (61%), enjoy and cook Vietnamese foods (78%).

Vietnam ranked 31st in the ranking about family. Almost half of the foreign experts (43%) said that the cost of child care in Vietnam is less expensive than at home country, and most of foreign experts (74%) send their children to the international School.

Vietnam is developing very fast and owns a dynamic business environment. This is an attractive destination for entrepreneurs seeking start-up opportunity and new business projects.

As an emerging market, Vietnam brings foreign experts many challenges and chances to develop career. With significant attractions in terms of tourism, culture and people, Vietnam also brings foreign experts wonderful experiences along with ease of integration and stabilizes the life in Vietnam.

Business in Vietnam

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Challenges of doing business in Vietnam

Expanding gross domestic product (GDP), modern infrastructure and a dramatic increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) are signs that Vietnam has transformed into an attractive investment destination, but there are still barriers to doing business which are best navigated with local help on board.

Since 1988, there have been 13,544 foreign investment projects with a total registered capital of US$213 billion in Vietnam, building a large overseas investment sector which occupies about 17% of GDP and 43.4% of industrial product value. Overseas firms are attracted by Vietnam’s 87 million-strong population which supports a large and young workforce and that has also seen an increase in disposable income in recent years.

Strong economic growth rates have been a common feature of the Vietnamese economy since the 1990s, and even though the high levels slumped slightly during the global financial crisis, the country has rapidly returned to pre-crisis growth trends and is expected to continue on this path. Infrastructure, tourism development, and related real estate and retail sector development in urban areas are all attracting large amounts of FDI, and overseas firms are increasingly attracted by the country’s move from a centralised to a market-orientated economy.

However, The World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) rank Vietnam in 99th place in the world for ease of doing business, which means it is essential to seek local help when expanding in the country.

Starting a Business

There are 10 procedures to undertake when starting a business in Vietnam, making it among the most complex start-up environments in the world. What’s more, many tasks facing new corporate entities may be unfamiliar to overseas companies, making the task far more rigorous. Registration of the seal-sample at the Police Department, for example, or publically announcing the formation in a local newspaper are procedures most companies generally don’t have to complete.

Dealing with Construction Permits

It takes 110 days and 11 procedures to get permits for construction in Vietnam, once again requiring interaction with several official departments. Inspections must be carried out by the Department of Construction and the municipality, and certificates should be obtained from the Firefighters Prevention Department, the Department of Construction and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Getting Electricity

Getting electrical connection is among the most rigorous tasks facing startups in Vietnam, taking 115 days to complete and costing a significant percentage of income per capita. Inspections by the local power corporation are required before completing processes with the Traffic and Transport Department and the Firefighters Prevention Department.

Registering Property

Registering property takes 57 days to complete, which is far higher than the OECD norm but around average for East Asia and Pacific. Contracts between the transferor and the transferee are signed before taxation is paid and registration for the right to use land is complete.

Getting Credit

Vietnam is home to quite a stable credit environment, and obtaining capital is a relatively smooth process for businesses. However, the lack of a private credit bureau can make the process a little trickier for overseas firms.

Protecting Investors

Investor protection is an area in which Vietnam fails miserably. It is ranked in 169th place by the World Bank and IFC, with a weak director liability index and shareholder suits index.

Paying Taxes

There are a massive 32 corporate tax payments to be made each year which takes an average of 872 company hours to complete. Compared to the OECD norm of 176 and the East Asia and Pacific average of 209, taxation is one of the most burdensome processes of doing business in Vietnam.

Trading Across Borders

Given its strong manufacturing base and reliance on interconnectivity, trading across borders is a cheap endeavour. However, that isn’t to say the process is not complicated, and the stream of documentation required for both importing and exporting highlights that cross-border trade can be difficult at the best of times.

Enforcing Contracts and Resolving Insolvency

Enforcing contracts takes 400 days to complete and 34 procedures. Resolving insolvency is a far more laborious process, taking five years on average to complete and with a low recovery rate.

Culture

The Vietnamese believe in the teachings of the early Chinese philosopher Confucius which emphasise the importance of relationships, responsibility and obligation. Vietnam is also a collectivist country and community concerns will almost always come before business or individual needs.

TMF

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Set-up Joint Stock Company in Vietnam

Joint Stock Company is an enterprise which has charter capital divided into equal portions called shares. The minimum number of shareholders shall be three and there shall be no restriction on the maximum number.

Joint Stock Company

 Shareholders shall be liable for the debts and other property obligations of the enterprise only within the amount of capital contributed to the enterprise.

Joint Stock Companies may issue all types of securities to raise funds.  Founding shareholders must together register to subscribe at least twenty per cent (20%) of the number of ordinary shares which may be offered for sale.

The main difference between Joint Stock Company and Limited Liability Company is the Joint Stock Company can raise funds by offering shares or securities.  In addition, an enterprise tends to join the Stock exchanges or public company must be a Joint Stock Company.  Management system of Joint Stock Company is more complicated than Liability Company.

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Family Office Services

Vietnam has been considered as an attractive fit for family offices.

The Vietnam’s stock market has been around fifteen ten years. Fund certificates in various forms are available such as close ended fund, open ended fund, Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). Foreign investors are now allowed to hold up to 49% shares in a listed company and this room has been in the process to change in the near future. Although Vietnam market is considered small for pension funds or the similar, this market is a right fit for family offices.

Further, foreigners are now allowed to make direct investment, hold 100% and conduct business in most areas after the new investment law’s effective date of Jul 1st, 2015. The real estate law has been passed with effective on the same date with new investment law, allowing foreigners entering Vietnam to buy real estate.

We are a local professional management consulting firm with family office service that assist foreign clients with asset management and consolidated reporting of all the family’s assets.

In particular, we provide wealth management and tax planning, trustee and corporate services, and support with indirect investment, direct investment, real estate and family governance.

We are your consultants and we could act as nominee shareholder, nominee director, or provide management service that help you achieve the goal, and stay in private status at the same time.

We look forward to helping you find the family office services you need in Vietnam.

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Why Japanese Companies will Increase Investment into Vietnam

When Japan sought to diversify the investment other than to China, Vietnam emerged as attractive destinations for international investors.

Within the last few years, companies doing business in China began diversifying its investment and reduce dependence on the China market. This is the result of increasing labor costs as well as the structural reforms taking place in China. In this context, Vietnam emerged as a potential destination for foreign companies which are looking for new investment opportunities.  Entering into Vietnam will open up open up a large domestic market at a geographic advantage location for Japanese companies.

In 2013, for the first time, China lost the top spot as a promising destination for Japanese investors. Japanese companies are now investing in Indonesia, India, Thailand and Vietnam. This does not mean that Japanese firms will withdraw from China, they are simply looking for new investment destinations.

Vietnam has increasingly become popular for Japanese companies making investment. The Japanese investment in Vietnam has increased rapidly, especially since the Treaty of the Economic Partnership Vietnam-Japan went into effect in 2009. The Japan’s largest investment are in transportation infrastructure transportation, electrical equipment manufacturing sector. Vietnam is one of the fourth largest motorcycle markets in the world, and therefore Japanese companies such as Honda or Yamaha are here to increase investment. The Japanese electronics company also raised the capital of investment, partly because Samsung has developed a mobile plant to produce a series of Galaxy smartphones. Panasonic is looking for business opportunities in the domestic electrical equipment and has seen Vietnam as a key market in the emerging countries. Teral, a leading Japanese industrial pumps and fans have just opened up its Vietnam office.  Canon has been investing in Vietnam for many years with success.  For the non-manufacturing sectors such as finance and insurance industry, capital investment has also increased significantly, for instance, Mizuho, Tokyo and Mitsubishi in banking, Dai-ichi Life in life insurance.

In addition, small and medium enterprises in Japan (SMEs) are looking for business opportunities in foreign countries due to increasing challenges they are facing in Japan. The domestic market has been shrinking due to aging population; larger companies that have contracts with the SME business are moving abroad, while competition with foreign companies in Japan has been increasing. After the global financial crisis of 2008, the Japanese companies have increased investment abroad to survive. Therefore, Vietnam should promote measures to adapt to small businesses from Japan.

In addition, both Vietnam and Japan are engaged in the process of negotiating Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). At the end, the TPP will help promote trade and investment, but it also leads to changes in the industrial structure and the domestic economy. It will be a challenge, especially for a developing country like Vietnam. In this context, Vietnam and Japan is an important partner of the other. Both countries will benefit from the closer economic relationship and cooperation.

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M&A Due Diligence and Execution in Vietnam

Merger and Acquisition (M&A) activities in Vietnam have been rapidly increasing over the the years in value and number of transactions when Vietnam’s opening policies to attract foreign investments loosen up.  The M&A due diligence and execution are therefore important steps to ensure a successful transaction.

M&A in Vietnam: Strong Flow from Thailand

Vietnamese Chains Attracting Foreign Funds

US Billionaire Mark Mobius Expanding Investment in Vietnam

Japan Increases Investment in Vietnam in Finance and Services

For foreign investors wishing to take advantage with a certain level of risks in Vietnam where the cost of labour are cheap, mid-income populations are growing, and the need of capital are high, it is imporatant to find the right target companies to invest.  Challenges might arise when approaching the right local companies, locating the right decision makers within the local companies, encountering differences in languages and cultures.

It is imporant that the local consultants with the understanding of the business and legal environment in Vietnam where the local companies are incorporated could be involved at an initial stage to monitor and minimize the risks, improve the effectiveness of the M&A process in Vietnam.

The Vietnam consulting company could also provide corporate intelligence and insights of the Vietnam targeted companies to have an overall evaluation of the compliance of the Vietnam companies, possible risks involved and growth potential.  Financial forensic services might also be needed before other further steps.  Then, the following will need to be considered when undertaking the M&A in Vietnam.

Due diligence

M&A due diligence in Vietnam is a vital step because it determines whether the M&A will succeed or not. There are some aspects that must be carefully considered:

• Financial reports

Review all the financial reports of the Vietnam targeted companies within 3 to 5 years to assess the current and future financial situation. These data needs to be audited by a reputable independent auditing company. Evaluating financial situation targets on many aspects such as the reasonable connection between the financial statements, operating and sales margin of the business in relation to the average in that industry.  These data allow valuation real value of the target business.

• The cash flow

Checking the dates on invoices showing that whether targeted businesses have paid promptly or not. Term of payment may vary from industry to industry, but generally 30 to 60 days. If the money order is paid after the billing date period of 90 days or more, it means that the business owner may be struggling with cash flow. Finding out that if the clients’ inability to pay bills or not is very important.

• The staff

Determining the importance of staff for the success of the business considering work habits of employees, working time of key employees; ability to remain working after a change of the owner occurs; the incentives necessary to keep key employees; ability to easily replace key employees; the relationship of key employees with the company’s customers.

• The customers

This is the most important assets of the Vietnam targeted company. Make sure that clients are as the other tangible assets of the business. Evaluating customers on some primary aspects: the relationship with the current owner of the business, customer history with business relations and the contribution of each customer to the profits of the company; assessing that customer will leave or stay when the business having new owners; customer services and dispute of the company, the relationship of the former owner of the business with the community or the industry.

• Business location

This is especially important if the targeted company is a retail company. Does the importance of business location play a crucial role for the success of the company? How is the location of the company you plan to acquire? Is there sufficient parking lot for customers? How does the company depend on sales in the region? How is the prospects of the business in this area? Does this place have been in the process of rapid change from new residential district office building or not? Has business location become more or less desirable because of contemplated changes in surrounding area or not?

• Competitors

Considering this aspect in order to define the capacity of the targeted business in the industry, the following questions would help: who are its competitor and what are their strategies? Does the price war happen frequently? How has the competitive environment changed?

• Business registration, permits and zoning

It’s necessary to make sure that business registration certificate and other legal documents can be easily given to the buyer. It would be better to acknowledge the procedures to transfer these documents and its fee with the help of local management consulting company in Vietnam. If the targeted company is a joint-stocks company, what is the procedure for the business registration? Can foreigners own the company 100% according to Vietnam laws?  Conditional investments in Vietnam need to be considered carefully by lawyers in Vietnam to avoid mishaps.

• The company image

Company image can be a significant asset and that cannot be assessed in the financial report. There are many intangible factors to consider when evaluating a company: how to serve customers, how employees answer the phone and the level of support the community or the industry.

Negotiate the price

It is important to understand the purpose and motivation of both parties. The sellers’ motivation are formed and affected by value drivers. There are two main value drivers which are approach value and avoidance value. Approach value is our purpose such as prosperity and avoidance value is the negative effect that we need to eliminate. Normally, the buyers try to find out what are the reasons why the owner wish to sell the companies. This will help the buyers plan a reasonable strategy beforehand.

A research analyzes the general aspects that the buyers seeking for via conducting surveys companies’ owner who have sold or transformed their enterprises. The research results are focus on profit maximization (79%), minimization of tax payable (73%), protection of viability of the company (71%)…(Source: Acquisition Marketplace Review, 2007).

The motivation of the buyer in most cases is similar to the motivation of the seller, which is to maximize profits, expand markets, increase revenue, operating areas, areas of activity, minimize taxes…

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Is Apple About to Set-up Company in Vietnam?

In the August 2015 work plan of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, it has been recently revealed that a section to review the registration of a company named Apple Vietnam company limited. Is it the American multinational teconology company with its famous products i.e. Mac, Ipod, Iphone, Ipad, Apple watch…about to set-up company in Vietnam to promote and distribute its own products i.e. the upcoming Iphone 6s, and Iphone 6s plus?

According to the information from the official dealer of Apple in Vietnam, Apple has already had a representative in Vietnam and began contacting with agents in the country from early 2015. The current business activities of Apple with domestic partners are done through Apple Thailand. Therefore, Apple’s representative in Vietnam will help to smooth out this arrangement because of the better understanding the local market and no language barrier.

Although Apple has not had their representative office or official company in Vietnam but they have many authorized dealers to sell its products. Apple products like the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have always led the top 10 selling phones in many domestic retail systems since its launching in late 2014. According to the statistic of IDC, in the first quarter of 2015, Apple ranked 2nd in value in the largest smart phone manufacturers in Vietnam; in the tablet market, Apple accounted for 16.6% of the market – ranked 2nd in the market – but accounted for 29.1%, the highest in terms of market value.

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How to Enter Financial Services Market in Vietnam

As the Vietnam economy continues to grow, financial services as well grows to keep up.  When most parts of the world were hit by global financial crisis in 2009, Vietnam was one of a few that enjoyed positive growth rate and HSBC in its Vietnam monitor issue volume 28 projected 7.2% growth in 2010.

The Vietnam financial market has been developing however still at immature stage.  The Vietnam stock market is one of the channel to raise capital for the development and it is getting more active, attracting investors from South East Astia.  There are more than one hundred securities companies founded to compete in the growing market in 2010.  Top ten companies control more than 50% of the market share in brokerage fee.  In the year 2008 and 2009, many companies have been suffering due to tough competition, poor management, bad market situation impacted by global financial crisis and lack of governance experience from Vietnam State Securities Commission.

According to World Trade Ornatization access commitments, the Vietnam securities company can be 100% owned by foreign firms by the year 2012.  The competition amongst players will be getting more fierce.  Japan is interested in acquiring Vietnam securities companies.

Financial services are typical products therefore owning some characteristics of its own kinds.  Consumer purchasing behaviour is greatly influenced by the type of financial product being purchased.  The emphasis of trust and having relationship, especially in the particular contracting contexts, are also of highly pertinent to the strategies of financial service providers (Beckett et al., 2000).  Corporate reputation dimensions associated with important variables encompassing of customer satisfaction, loyalty, trust, and word of mouth (Walsh et al., 2009) are also factors of considerations beside price, service quality, and relationships ( Bowman et al., 2000), convenience.

The study of how investors behave when it comes to decision of which securities companies to go with shall give insights into the buying behaviour of financial services in Vietnam and would add to the limited research in the area.

With rapid change and more sophisticated customers, it has become very important that financial institutions determine the factors which are pertinent to the customers’ selection process (Boyd et al., 1994) when considering entering Vietnam securities market.

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Risk Management Necessity in Vietnam?

As Vietnam further integrates into the world business, more investors are eyeing Vietnam for investment. As part of investment due diligence, risk management are always well considered before foreign investors decide to do business with Vietnam partners.

In any parts of the world inluding Vietnam, risk is an inevitable factor in business operation activities; higher return is always accompanied by higher risks. Coping and managing risk is an integral part of any business in order to make profit and create value to shareholders in import export transaction, investment, or merger and acquisition activities in Vietnam.

However, in our daily consulting practice, we have seen a number of businesses whom do not manage risk effectively and furthermore not fully understand about the risks that they are facing.

Typical risks in developing countries like Vietnam are political risks, policy risks, regulations risks, credit risks, bribery and corruptions, and organized crimes.

On daily transaction in trading, according to Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade, there are situations a number of corporate scams between Vietnam and foreign enterprises are reported. In particular, foreign companies sell goods or provide services to partners in Vietnam and in return the Vietnam partner fail to pay.

On a larger scale in FDI through business formation or M&A origination and execution, businesses that do not improve the risk management process will have to face with a lot of different types of risks: serious financial losses, adversely affecting cash flows and the value of shares, decreasing prestige with customers, employees and investors.

Many business leaders often put heavy emphasis on the business activity, profit, and revenues instead of concentrating more on risk management especially understading business partners through corporate intelligence investigation, background studying, adverse media search through professional consultants in Vietnam whom understand languages, cultures, legal environment and busieness practices. Further searches could help foreign investors to understand the company itself, owners, shareholders, members of board of directors of partner companies whom make daily decisions of the business.

In the period that global crisis has been predicted that almost bottom out and start to show signs of recovery, although the recovery process can occur with different speed and characteristics depending on sector and location of the business, the fully preparation of business in all aspects including process and risk management strategy could helps business not falling into the passive and also have more possibilities to take advantage of growth opportunities after the recession.

Recently in Vietnam with the impact of high inflation rate and economic recession caused by the global financial crisis, enterprises are increasingly concern about risk management activities. Many experts believe that an effective and well organized risk management system will help businesses withstand and overcome fluctuations.

Read More

How to Enter Financial Services Market in Vietnam

As the Vietnam economy continues to grow, financial services as well grows to keep up.  When most parts of the world were hit by global financial crisis in 2009, Vietnam was one of a few that enjoyed positive growth rate and HSBC in its Vietnam monitor issue volume 28 projected 7.2% growth in 2010.

The Vietnam financial market has been developing however still at immature stage.  The Vietnam stock market is one of the channel to raise capital for the development and it is getting more active, attracting investors from South East Astia.  There are more than one hundred securities companies founded to compete in the growing market in 2010.  Top ten companies control more than 50% of the market share in brokerage fee.  In the year 2008 and 2009, many companies have been suffering due to tough competition, poor management, bad market situation impacted by global financial crisis and lack of governance experience from Vietnam State Securities Commission.

According to World Trade Ornatization access commitments, the Vietnam securities company can be 100% owned by foreign firms by the year 2012.  The competition amongst players will be getting more fierce.  Japan is interested in acquiring Vietnam securities companies.

Financial services are typical products therefore owning some characteristics of its own kinds.  Consumer purchasing behaviour is greatly influenced by the type of financial product being purchased.  The emphasis of trust and having relationship, especially in the particular contracting contexts, are also of highly pertinent to the strategies of financial service providers (Beckett et al., 2000).  Corporate reputation dimensions associated with important variables encompassing of customer satisfaction, loyalty, trust, and word of mouth (Walsh et al., 2009) are also factors of considerations beside price, service quality, and relationships ( Bowman et al., 2000), convenience.

The study of how investors behave when it comes to decision of which securities companies to go with shall give insights into the buying behaviour of financial services in Vietnam and would add to the limited research in the area.

With rapid change and more sophisticated customers, it has become very important that financial institutions determine the factors which are pertinent to the customers’ selection process (Boyd et al., 1994) when considering entering Vietnam securities market.

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The France, Taiwan Phone Companies Invest in Vietnam to Take Advantage of TPP?

The information that Vietnam has finished the TPP negotiation pushing many phone manufacturing companies like Archos (France), Compal (Taiwan) to promote their market expansion plan and investment in through setting up business in Vietnam.

The Archos phone company (France) and their distributor – Petrosetco (Vietnam) are recently launching 7 product lines in Vietnam market.

Mr. Frederic Balay – Senior Vice President and CEO in charge of North American of Archos has opined that Vietnam is large market which phone demand is constantly increasing every year. Along with that, while Vietnam is an official member of the TPP, the market will be extended to billions of people and 40% of global GDP, attractive offers on tariffs for intra-origin goods.

Mr. Frederic Balay also said that these product lines are designed by a team of engineers in France and factories in China of Archos are undertaking production. But he revealed that the company is making long-term plans in Vietnam market.

At the end of September, a major phone producer – Compal (Taiwan) also confirmed their decision to return to Vinh Phuc to continue investing in the plan to produce smart phone which was left unfinished at the end of 2007.

Mr. Vincent Lee, Deputy General Director of Compal factory in Vietnam said that in two recent months, Compal has urgently repaired factory system; installed equipment, machinery; worked with a number of localities inside and outside of the province for employment and preparing to welcome the world’s top customers to visit exploring opportunities for investment and cooperation in smart phone manufacturer in Vinh Phuc.

Vinh Phuc leader suggested that Compal should shorten the negotiation with partners, and soon to announce the list of products to be produced, as the basis from now until the end of 2015.  The province can adjust the investment certificate has signed and complete the procedures, mechanisms and policies to support the project in accordance with the law of Vietnam.

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Google Shows Interests in Vietnam IT Industry

E-commerce, IT and software development have been developing incredibly fast in Vietnam over the years making it potential for IT business to be set-up.

With more than 93 mil of population which 52% having access to internet.  The average Vietnamese using Google to extract information from internet is three times higher than world average.  Vietnam has been rated top 10 Asian countries with fastest growth rate of internet users. Those are the reasons why Google considers Vietnam as important market for penetration, localization and business development.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google will arrive in Hanoi on December 22nd to talk with the start-up technology in Vietnam, showing the practical interests of Google in Vietnam.  Technology so far appears to be one of the most attractive areas for foreign investment.

According to Google’s communications department in Vietnam, the initial interaction of Google CEO with Vietnamese audience including programmers, students and the media, will be held on a small scale in one hour, for the purpose of sharing experiences and inspiration. Sundar Pichai will also meet with three unidentfied individuals of Vietnam whom are supposed to be influencial in Vietnam IT industry.

Sundar Pichai joined Google since 2004, played role as orientation for the Google Toolbar and Google Chrome, the key products of Google that hundreds of millions of consumers are using.

In 2014, Sundar managed the product parts, engineering and research for all products and technology platforms of Google, including Google Search, Maps, Google Play, Advertising and solutions using cloud platforms for consumers, businesses and the education sector, which were known under the name of Google Apps and Cloud Platform. The two most important platforms in the computer industry as Android and Chrome are also within his administration.

After years of closely working with Google’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Sundar has been accredited and formally undertaken the CEO position of Google since August 2015.

This is the first time that a senior leader of Google comes to Vietnam. In early December,Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak also came to Ho Chi Minh City to attend an event on social networks, mobile, statistical data and cloud computing in Vietnam.

In previous years, many well-known personalities of the world technology industry visited Vietnam. In 2006, Bill Gates as the Chairman of Microsoft visited Hanoi to launch the project to disseminate information technology.  In May 2010, CEO of Microsoft Steve Ballmer had a talk with students of the Hanoi University of Science and Technology and Vietnam National University, focusing on new technologies such as cloud computing. In 2013, Stephen Elop, head of Nokia’s mobile segment (at that time belonged to Microsoft) also presented in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to meet the domestic software partners.

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