The Ministry of Industry and Trade has floated the idea of paying different prices for renewables produced in different regions, according to VN Express. Essentially the argument is that to encourage the development of solar projects in areas where there is less sun, power generators should be paid more. Eds

‘Not very positive’ Vietnam Association of Real Estate Brokers report released

the-shiv August 31, 2023

The Vietnam Association of Real Estate Brokers has released a report on the current state of Vietnam’s real estate market that The Leader has dubbed ‘not very positive’. The report (download here) takes the view that measures to alleviate pressure on the sector have done little to help.

Key Apple supplier to boost investment in northern Vietnam

the-shiv August 31, 2023

BYD Electronics will invest a further US$183.7 million in its operations in Phu Tho province in the north of Vietnam, according to The Investor. The company currently assembles tablets for Apple and makes components for camera drones in the area. About 70 kilometres from Hanoi, Phu Tho forms part of

Amazon exec on utilising the platform as an export avenue in VN

the-shiv August 31, 2023

The unique characteristics of a product, the ingredients, and environmentally friendly packaging are key details Vietnamese vendors should communicate on Amazon, according to Gijae Seong, head of Amazon Global Selling Vietnam, via an interview by The Investor. Seong says that often local firms tend to overemphasise the product as ‘made

Why it’s hard for Vietnamese SMEs to access credit

the-shiv August 31, 2023

Of Vietnam’s small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) only 30 percent have ready access to credit, whereas the remaining 70 percent have difficulty borrowing or no means to borrow at all, according to Doanh Nhan Saigon. Citing ‘experts’ the publication lists a lack of: financial infrastructure, collateral, product variety, diversity in credit institutions,

VN Uber-style financial services sales startup receives US$6 million investment

the-shiv August 30, 2023

MFast, a Vietnamese fintech startup has received US$6 million in series A funding, VN Express is reporting. The firm’s business peer-to-peer sales model appears to be something akin to Uber for financial services. Individuals can sign up to assist customers to take out credit cards, insurance, open digital wallets, and

Foreign investment association chairman comments on VN’s high-speed rail project

the-shiv August 30, 2023

The Investor is carrying an interview with Mai Nguyen, chairman of Vietnam’s Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) in which he discusses a proposed US$58 billion high-speed rail project connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. He says that the 2,070 kilometres will be completed by 2035–or in about 12

Vietnam, India big winners in Apple supply chain shift

the-shiv August 30, 2023

Vietnam, alongside India have been the big winners in Apple’s diversification out of China according to Bloomberg. Bloomberg has compiled Apple supplier data from 2012 to 2022 and found a huge expansion of Apple suppliers in the burgeoning Southeast Asian nation over the last five years or so. With comments

Vietnamese tech firm files for IPO in US

the-shiv August 30, 2023

VNG Corp, a Vietnamese tech firm most well known for a slew of popular video games and social messaging app Zalo has filed to list on the US stock exchange, according to Vietnam Net. VNG has been talking about listing for a long time now–in 2017 it signed an MOU

Some SEA solar products circumventing Chinese solar duties: US Dept. Commerce

the-shiv August 30, 2023

Some solar products exported from Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia are circumventing duties applied to some Chinese solar products the US Department of Commerce has found, and Solar Power World is reporting. A presidential proclamation from June 6, however, exempts solar imports from the four Southeast Asian countries from paying

VN’s natural gas dreams stall on contract delays

the-shiv August 29, 2023

Prolonged negotiations over guarantees on power purchases and prices between state power provider Electricity Vietnam (EVN) and private power project developers may delay Vietnam’s shift to LNG, according to the Vietnam Investment Review. Giang Duy Nguyen, Deputy Director General of PV Power, a private power developer with two projects in

VN Fintech sandbox regulations on the way

the-shiv August 29, 2023

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has said they will draw up a decree containing regulations for the fintech sector, according to Vietnam News. The publication is quoting Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Payment Department at the SBV as saying the decree will be submitted for approval by the

Vietnam Airlines kicks AGM can down road

the-shiv August 22, 2023

Vietnam Airlines has postponed its AGM until October, VN Express is reporting. Listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange the airline has been struggling to recover from COVID-19. It is still yet to disclose its 2022 annual report or 2023 half-year report. Under the Enterprise Law companies have four