Capital from China’s ‘Ring Road and Route’ Is Coming to Vietnam

China's belt road project is coming to Vietnam

 In response to the China Government’s initiative to build the 21stCentury Silk Road running across the Eurasian, the Chinese’s construction enterprises are actively coming to Vietnam.

Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Vincent HS Lo has just led a delegation of 40 investors and experts to visit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The delegation includes large domestic firms (including Hong Kong) in the fields of finance, consulting, architecture, energy, water and waste treatment, engineering and construction, law and accounting, transportation…

According to Mr Vincent HS Lo, the delegations have goal to invest in areas that specially focusing on the implementation of the “Ring Road and Route”, which is implemented by the Chinese government to develop the infrastructure of the area. Vietnam is determined locating in a critical position to invest in infrastructure, so that is the key to promote trade and commerce among nations.

The delegation also has meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong and leaders of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Along with that, they also have meetings with many Vietnamese businesses, including big names such as Van Thinh Phat Investment Group or Sunny World Real Estate Development Company.

According to Mr Johnson Choi – CEO of Sunwah Group, with a very flexible policy of the Government of Vietnam, he believes that investment in infrastructure in Vietnam is quite feasible in comparison with other countries in Asia. Together with many businesses introduced by the HKTDC, Sunwah will work with other partners to express special interest in the 1,000 km North-South Expressway project.

Also according to Mr Choi, the Vietnamese Government is showing their support to businesses as committed. Compared with other countries in the region, the liquidity of the Vietnamese currency is at a better level. Over the past twenty years, Chinese investors have moved overseas remittances to Hong Kong quite easily.

Chairman of HKTDC Mr Vincent HS Lo believes that businesses in Hong Kong and China will have strength on infrastructure investment and set-up company in Vietnam thanks to the abundant capital and good experience. Hong Kong is the financial center of the world, so it’s easy for them to raise funds from everywhere to invest. At the same time, they have experience in most services, from consulting to construction and operation.

According to Mr Vincent HS Lo, businesses in Hong Kong and China are open to the investment and cooperation models with Vietnamese enterprises. However, the Chinese are particularly interested in the form of PPP. At the same time, the joint venture model is also considered more than the 100% capital investment to take advantage of local market knowledge of Vietnamese enterprises.

On May 14th, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted the “Ring Road and Route” forum, with nearly 30 leaders in the world. This is an action to promote the “Ring Road and Route” initiative, in order to revive the “Silk Road” connecting Asia and Europe. Accordingly, Credit Suisse Group forecasts that China could pour more than 500 billion USD into 62 countries over the next five years to implement plans to promote its soft power.

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Please click here to learn more about ANT Consult Civil Matters Practice or contact our lawyers in Vietnam for advice via email  ant@antconsult.vn or call our office at +848 35202779

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Assistance in Setting-up Business Venture

To help Clients start business in Vietnam, ANT Consulting introduces the service to assist in setting up business venture in Vietnam.

Foreign investors could make direct investment in Vietnam through setting up one hundred per cent (100%) capital of foreign investors, or establishing joint venture between domestic and foreign investors, or  investing in the contractual forms of: BCC, BO, BTO, and BT

Types of enterprise for foreign investors to invest in Vietnam are as following:

a)     Limited Liability Company 

A limited-liability company may not issue securities to mobilize capital.

b)     Joint Stock Company

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.

c)     Partnership

Unlimited liability partners must be individuals who shall be liable for the obligations of the company to the extent of all of their assets.  Limited liability partners shall only be liable for the debts of the company to the extent of the amount of capital they have contributed to the company.

d)     Representative Office of foreign trader

Representative Office is not allowed to directly conduct profit making activities in Vietnam (i.e: the execution of contracts, direct payment or receipt of funds, sale or purchase of goods, or provision of services)

e)     Branch of foreign trader

The Branch is permitted to conduct activities being the purchase and sale of goods and other commercial activities consistent with its license for establishment in accordance with the law of Vietnam and any international treaty to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.

f)      The investing measures by signing contracts

Business co-operation contract (BCC) means the investment form signed between investors in order to co-operate in business and to share profits or products without creating a legal entity.

Build-operate-transfer contract (BOT) means the investment form signed by a competent State body and an investor in order to construct and operate commercially an infrastructure facility for a fixed duration; and, upon expiry of the duration, the investor shall, without compensation, transfer such facility to the State of Vietnam.

Build-transfer-operate contract (BTO) means the investment form signed by a competent State body and an investor in order to construct an infrastructure facility; and, upon completion of construction, the investor shall transfer the facility to the State of Vietnam and the Government shall grant the investor the right to operate commercially such facility for a fixed duration in order to recover the invested capital and gain profits.

Build-transfer contract (BT) means the investment form signed by a competent State body and an investor in order to construct an infrastructure facility; and, upon completion of construction, the investor shall transfer the facility to the State of Vietnam and the Government shall create conditions for the investor to implement another project in order to recover the invested capital and gain profits or to make a payment to the investor in accordance with an agreement in the BT contract.

Foreign investors may sign BOT, BT and BTO contracts with a competent State body to implement infrastructure construction projects in Vietnam. Typically, the contracts are for projects in the fields of transportation, electricity production, water supply, drainage and waste treatment.

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.  Our services are as following:

• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice

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: +8428 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

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Benefits of Setting Up Company in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is considered as Vietnam’s economic hub. During the long history of foundation and development, the city’s economy is growing constantly and motivating the development of the country.

The city is therefore considered as a potential investment environment for domestic investors as well as foreign investors. The investment through establishing companies and conducting business activities in Ho Chi Minh city certainly promises to achieve multiple benefits. These benefits come from the following reasons.

First, Ho Chi Minh City has strategic location advantage in Vietnam. Southeast Asia Region, Ho Chi Minh City is 1,700 km south of Hanoi, 297 km east of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 881 km east of Bangkok, Thailand.

Food, glass, textiles, paper products, plastics, chemicals, building materials and machinery are produced here. Ho Chi Minh City accounts for 20% of total gross domestic product (GDP), 30% of industrial production and 40% of export products of Vietnam. The city also accounts for 33% of the national budget and 60% of foreign investment flows into the region. In the past few years, the economy have been grown at a rate greater than 10% (6% to 8% nationally).

Second, Ho Chi Minh City is home of  well – qualified, abundant and young human resources.

With a population of more than 8 million, accounting for more than 10% of the total Vietnamese population, Ho Chi Minh City itself has potential employment market to make any business investment. The work force in Ho Chi Minh City was estimated to reach 4.7 million people in 2012, making up more than 50% of the total population of the city. The percentage of trained labor increased from 40% in 2005 to 55% in 2010 and was forecast to reach 70% in 2015. The percentage of labor source holding postgraduate degree is also increasing year by year and most of them tend to stay in the city after holding degrees. Ho Chi Minh City is also home to more than 80 universities and colleges, vocational schools with over 400,000 students providing an abundant trained work force.

With the above – mentioned abundant labor force, any companies set up in Ho Chi Minh City can easily recruit suitable employees in a short time..

Third, the city has modern and high infrastructure system. Namely, when setting up company in Ho Chi Minh City, the owners will benefit from the modern and comprehensive infrastructure system.

Tan Son Nhat Airport is the largest airport in the country with the capacity to accommodate 20 million people a year. From Tan Son Nhat Airport, there are 50 routes to other countries all over the world such as China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, European countries, etc.

Saigon Port serves as a gateway to the Mekong River Delta, the South China Sea (83 km away from the sea) and the Asia continent. The port has a total area of 500,000 m2 with 5 terminals meeting the international standards, and it handles about 8.3 million tons of cargo annually. Throughout the history of foundation and development of Saigon, Saigon Port plays an important role in making Ho Chi Minh City a flourishing trading center. It accounts for a fifth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and almost a third of its industrial production.

Ho Chi Minh City is also home to industrial zones. According to the statistics of Cushman & Wakefield, the city has 18 industrial parks that are operating with a total area of 3635 ha. When investing in such industrial zones in Vietnam, enterprises can benefit from various incentive policies such as low rate tax or other incentive policies.

Telecommunication and information technology in the city is modern. The system of post and telecommunication in Ho Chi Minh meets international standard, providing fast, reliable and high quality services such as ADSL, rapid data transfer, wide broadband MAN. The Internet service in Ho Chi Minh city is also among the cheapest in the world.

Besides, the city is also considered the best working conditions. Enterprise will not be fear that it is not enough place for working. The city with the system of offices provide ideal working environment for all investors.

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.  Our services are as following:

• Advisory
• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice

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: +8428 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

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Set-up Limited Liability Company in Vietnam

Limited Liability Company is a form of enterprise which is established by contributing of members.  A member shall be liable for the debts and other property obligations of the enterprise within the amount of capital that he/she has undertaken to contribute to the company.

Limited liability companies are regulated by two types:

• One member Limited Liability Company is an enterprise owned by one organization or individual;
• Limited Liability Company with two or more members is an enterprise owned by organizations or individuals, in which the number of members shall not less than two members and not exceed fifty.

Organizational and management structure of Limited Liability Company normally comprise of a Member’s Council, General Director or Director.

A limited-liability company established by foreign investors may take the form of either:

• 100% foreign-owned enterprise (where all members are foreign investors); or;

• foreign-invested joint-venture enterprise between foreign investors and at least one domestic investor.

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.  Our services are as following:

• Advisory
• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice

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: +8428 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

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From 3/9, import duties of 10% for cash transport vehicles.

Ministry of Finance has just issued Circular No. 119/2012/TT-BTC amending and supplementing Circular No. 157/2011/TT-BTC issued the export tariff, import tariff preferences under the list of goods subject to tax.

Accordingly, from September 3rd 2012, imported cash transport vehicles enjoy the preferential import tax of 10%.

Under Circular 119, the Ministry of Finance add group of cash transport vehicle (Group 98.23) in the Preferential Import Tariff according to the list of taxable goods, issued together with Circular No. 157. Tax rates for this group is 10%.

Conditions for this category to enjoy preferential import tariffs is: a written confirmation of the State Bank of Vietnam on ensuring standards for cash transport vehicles regulated by the State Bank of Vietnam. Using cash transport vehicles are the State Bank of Vietnam and its subordinate units, the credit institutions, State Treasury and the Vietnam Development Bank.

Enterprises that import cash transport vehicle when importing, in addition to the general rule documents for import goods, shall present to the customs authorities the certificate of the State Bank of Vietnam on the vehicles meet the standards os cash transport vehicle in accordance with the State Bank of Vietnam.

For lots of cash transport vehicle imports from August 1st 2012 onwards if they meet the conditions of the object and have certification by the State Bank of Vietnam on the sufficient conditions for cash transport vehicles shall be classified and taxed imported under the provisions of Circular 119.

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Surpassing Korea, China’s Capital Flowing Strongly into Vietnam

Only in the first two months of 2017, China investment capital is pouring strongly into Vietnam market through indirect investment for acquiring shares or direct investment for setting up business in Vietnam.

The Foreign Investment Department (Ministry of Planning and Investment) has announced the situation of attracting foreign investment.

Accordingly, in the first 2 months of 2017, there were 313 new projects were granted investment certificates with a total registered capital of 2,028 billion USD, increased by 6.5% over the same period; 137 projects register to increase capital with 759 million USD, decreased by 15.5% over the same period.

In addition, foreign investors have spent 619 million USD to buy share or contribute capital to Vietnam enterprises, 4 times higher than the same period in 2016. Generally, in the first 2 months of 2017, the total newly, additional capital and contribute to purchase share reach 3.4 billion USD, increase by 21.5% over the same period in 2016.

In particular, foreign investors have invested in 18 sectors, in which the processing industry and manufacturing are attracting the attention of foreign investors with total capital of 2.5 billion USD, accounting for 73.4% of total registered investment capital in two months.

The real estate business sector ranked second with a total investment of 345.5 million USD, accounting for 10.1% of total investment capital.

Standing at the third position are the wholesale and retail sectors with total registered investment capital of 222.6 million USD, accounting for 6.5% of total registered capital.

In the first 2 months of 2017, there are 61 countries and territories having investment projects in Vietnam.

Singapore ranked first with total investment of 881.6 million USD, China ranked second with total investment of 721.7 million USD, Korea ranked third with total registered investment capital of 637.1 million USD.

If as every year, Korea ranked first in terms of investment capital into Vietnam, this year the ranking has changed as China took place.

The ranking of top 5 largest investors into Vietnam hardly have the participation of China investors. But this year, this country has increased investment into Vietnam through two forms that are pouring fund to implement the project or purchase share of Vietnam enterprises. China investors usually focus on textile and plastic projects…

In 2 months, China investors have registered to implement 123 projects in Vietnam and 174 turns of purchasing share, accounting for 21.1% of total investment in Vietnam

Some major projects of China investors are Billion Vietnam polyester factory project, with total investment of 220 million USD in Tay Ninh. Besides there are Lan Son industrial zone infrastructure investment project and Khai Hong Viet plastics factory, with total investment capital 150 million USD, invested by Wenzhou Hendy Mechanism and Plastics Co., Ltd in Bac Giang.

In the first two months of 2017, foreign investors have invested in 47 provinces, in which Binh Duong attracted the most FDI with total registered capital of 791 million USD. Hanoi ranks 2nd with total registered capital of 519 million USD. Ho Chi Minh City ranks 3rd with total registered capital of 464.2 million USD accounted for 13.6% of total investment capital.

Also according to the Foreign Investment Department, as of February 20th 2017, there were 22,904 projects that are still valid with total registered capital of 297 billion USD.

The accumulated capital of foreign investment projects is estimated to reach 156.35 billion USD, with total valid registered capital of 52.6%.

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.  Our services are as following:

• Advisory
• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice

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: +8428 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

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Taste of US investors in Investment in Vietnam

The scent of American investors

Renewable energy, high technology industries, supporting industries… are areas that are interested by US investors when they come to set up company in Vietnam.

One of the “hot” issues that US businesses and investors interested in is the issue of cooperation and investment in the field of renewable energy. According to Mr Freb Burke from Baker & McKenzie, renewable energy is currently the most attractive investment area. Vietnam will avoid the construction of thermal power plants when moving to invest in wind and solar power plants.

In addition, many multinational corporations have strict environmental standards and they want these standards to be applied globally. Manufacturers also want to produce consumer goods using clean energy. For example, Apple is making a commitment to achieve 100% clean energy in their global supply chain. Hence, if Vietnam wants to attract investors like Apple, Vietnam should produce enough renewable energy to meet their needs.

According to Mr Burke’s explanation, renewable energy secures energy and environment security for Vietnam, helping Vietnam tap its potential and export energy. Renewable power plants attract the interest of US businesses like First Solar and GE. Furthermore, Vietnam has just raised its electricity purchase price to 9.35 UScent per kWh. This is a relatively attractive price for foreign investors due to the reduction in the price of wind and solar power along with the development of technology. However, Vietnam needs long-term guarantees for investors to borrow from banks and invest.

Moreover, the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham) stated that the Association and its partners are proposing a Production Energy Plan in Vietnam to provide a needed road map for reforms, in order to attract investors, equipment suppliers, manufacturers and operators from the United States.

In addition, many US investors have also expressed their interest in intelligent cities, waste treatment projects, high-tech industries… Many businesses say that despite the United States withdrawal from the TPP agreement, trade relations between Vietnam and United States will continue to develop strongly in the future.

In fact, in recent times, high technology and supporting industries have attracted more projects of US investors. According to the owner of Saigon Silicon Project, after the construction of the project in Saigon Hi-Tech Park in the second half of 2016, up to now, many US investors have expressed their plan to implement projects here. It is planned that after completion of the infrastructure, the project can attract about 20 projects operating in the field of high tech and supporting industries, with investment capital of about 1.5 billion USD.

Meanwhile, a group of US scientists and businesses have recently reached an initial agreement on implementing a smart glass production project in Long An province with a billion dollar investment capital. This is a high-tech manufacturing project and about 90% of the output will be exported.

According to businesses, the results of investment attraction is not worth the potential of the two countries. Currently, the United States ranks 9th among foreign investors in Vietnam, with an investment of about 10 billion USD according to registered statistics from the United States. However, if we count the investment from the United States through third countries, the investment capital must be greater, for example, the Intel project has investment of more than 1 billion USD, but the investment capital is registered from the enterprise based in Netherlands.

Another good news is that, during the US visit of Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the end of May 2017, US and Vietnamese businesses have signed contracts worth tens of billions of dollars in many fields. Therefore, according to businesses, if the bottlenecks, especially the regulatory and framework issues on investment are improved, the flow of investment from the United States is likely to increase in the coming time

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Korean Investors Poured Capital into Vietnam Banks

Japan-Vietnam economic cooperation will form a new value chain

From the beginning of this year, financial investors from Korea have actively sought opportunities to enter Vietnam banking market, especially the consumer finance segment. One typical example is the Lotte Card is negotiating to acquire Techcom Finance.

Recently, Techcombank has approved the contract and transaction documents related to the sale of 100% stake in Techcom Finance. The partner who is negotiating to buy back is Lotte Card – a subsidiary of the Lotte Group. If the deal is approved, Lotte Card will be the first Korean card company presenting in Vietnam, offering installment loan services, consumer credit cards…

Currently, consumer lending is an attractive market, bringing the profit of tens billion VND for financial companies in Vietnam market, of which FE Credit is outstanding. However, according to VP Bank’s General Director – the bank owns FE Credit, consumer lending has been saturated, lending cash despite good growth, but lending through cards is trend of the future. This is the direction that FE Credit is promoting.

According to the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), although transaction through card is still modest, the trend to spend using credit card has been increasing sharply, especially in the context that the Government is promoting the non-cash payment scheme.

Lotte Card entered the Vietnam card market this time is very timely. Not to mention, the company also has the support of the customer force of the Lotte Group, which has rooted in Vietnam for more than 10 years. According to a bank expert, with the potential of Korean investors, Lotte Card will soon expand its operations in Vietnam.

Not only Lotte Card but many financial investors from Korea are continuing to seek opportunities in the financial market of Vietnam. From the beginning of the year, 3 Korean banks have cooperated with banks and insurance companies in the country.

Specifically, in July 2017, Daegu Bank signed a comprehensive cooperation with OCB. Prior to that, the Korea Development Bank (KDB) signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with BIDV, while Woori Bank Vietnam signed a cooperation agreement with the Post Insurance Corporation (PTI).

Currently in Vietnam, there are two banks with 100% Korean capital (among 8 banks with 100% foreign capital), which are Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank. In addition, many other large banks in Korea have established branches and representative offices in Vietnam, such as KEB Hana, Industrial Bank of Korea, Kookmin, Busan, Nonghyup, Agricultural Bank of Korea. Korean banks are ranked number one among foreign investors present in the banking market of Vietnam.

With good service, low interest rates, favorable lending conditions, banks and finance companies from Korea such as Shinhan, Woori, coming here is Lotte Card… will also threaten the retail market share of many domestic banks. Even with corporate lending, if there is no reform measure, the large banks in the country will also let customers fall into the hands of the Korean banks. Not long ago, leaders of Keximbank Korea have expressed their intention to provide credit for the metro lines in Ho Chi Minh City, especially the 4b-1 metro line to Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

The wave of investment from Korea to the financial sector of Vietnam has not showing signs to stop. The experts warn that domestic banks need to strengthen the “defensive” capabilities. With the advantages of cheap capital, modern technology, understand the Vietnam market, strong customer force…, surely Korean banks will be formidable opponents of Vietnamese banks.

How ANT Consulting Could Help Your Business?

Please click here to learn more about ANT Consulting or contact our lawyers and consultants in Vietnam for advice via email  ant@antconsult.vn or call our office at +84 28 3520 2779

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Vietnam Real Estate Sector Review

Real estate is one of the sector with important position and role for the national economy, have a direct relationship with the financial and monetary market, the construction market, building materials market and the labor market… The sustainable development and effective management of this sector will contribute significantly to promoting economic-social development, creating the ability to attract investment capital, contributing to the development, industrialization and modernization of the country.

There have been more favorable developments for the country’s economy in 2015 and 2015. The prices of oil continued to fall; GDP grows at stable rate around 6%. The inflation rate was controlled at 4.09% average; reduced deposit rates, lending rates were adjusted down to 10%. Foreign direct investment in Vietnam reached US $ 20.23 billion, exceeding 19% compared to the target (17 billion dollars) and expected in increase in 2016.

Mr. Nguyen Tran Nam, Former Deputy Minister of Construction, president of the Vietnam Real EstateAssociation, said the real estate market has been recovering, particularly in 2015. There were 40,000 successful transactions, increased 75% compared to 2014 in only Hanoi and HCM. In addition, the Vietnamese laws have changed which allow foreigners and Vietnamese people living abroad to own real estate in Vietnam from January 7/2015. The metro construction projects in Hanoi and HCMC, modern road system construction suchas Nhat Tan Bridge,  Long Thanh – DauGiay highway …  are also factors contributing to boost the real estate market.

Along with these positive factors, the volatility of the financial markets due to the impact of political issues and global movement (the gold market, securities, forex have reduce the lending rate) has turned the property into a safe place for investment at the moment.

In the current favorable environment, the property becomesa channel to attract investors who want to own property not to live but to invest in. This is an appropriate time for investment after nearly 7 years. In a report, Mr. Marc Townsend, Managing Director of CBRE Vietnam, saidthat ” in 2015 the real estate marketwill witness the spectacular comeback of property speculators”

According this report, if in 2014, cheap apartment was considered as the hottest segment of the market, in 2015, the segment of medium and high-end apartments returned to be the hottest attraction. According to data from CBRE, yielding from investing in luxury apartments in Vietnam is quite high compared to other countries in the region (7- 8% compared to 3% in Singapore, 4-6% Bangkok and 4% in Hong Kong). With a minimum profit margin of 7-8% a year and the highest one at 15-20%, this segment is attracting the attention of real estate speculators.

The project with big scale which delayed during freezing period such as Goldmark City, Sapphire Palace, Gemek Tower in Hanoi, Vista Verde, the Park Residence, Le Meridien, City Gate Towers, has been released to sell up.

As reported by CBRE, in the quarter 4/2014, in HCM, it was recorded that 6670 apartments were offered, increased 117.8% from the previous quarter and 150.2% over the same period last year. For the whole 2014, it was sated that 60% of 14 807 apartments from 37 projects were offered while this figure was 47% in Hanoi of total 16,200 units from 31 projects.

In terms of price, the projects inside the city and surrounding areas with developed infrastructure continue to attract buyers and tends to keep the price high. The average selling price luxury apartments in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are in the range of US $ 1500-1700 / m2, apartment Range US $ 1,000 / m2, the budget – US $ 700 / m2.

The companies with foreign investors are allowed to sublet the property which has been leased or acquire buildings which has been built. This contributes to dynamic of office properties in Vietnam. According to CBRE’s report, in 2014, many office buildings have adopted methods of long-term lease or buy off the area. In 2015, this trend will be more popular in terms of office building.

In the segment of real estate retail, restructuring the dynamics of retail businesses such as Parkson Hanoi Co. and the close of Parkson shopping center in Keangnam Landmark Tower Complex (Hanoi) showed very strong pressure this segment due to increase in supply and competition. With more than 90 million people, Vietnam is a leading nations in the Asia – Pacific region in terms of growth of retail market (9.3% versus 6.3% in Hong Kong, 4.5 1.7% of Malaysia and Singapore). Thus, the segment of retail market is still promising.

A series of big brand to expand the retail network such as as Aeon Group (Japan) plans to open 20 hypermarkets in Vietnam. Vinmart plans to build 9 shopping center, 100 supermarkets and 1,000 Vinmart convenience stores in 2017. Lotte Group (Korea) announced that it would open 60 supermarkets in Vietnam in 2020…

However, in 2015, the new game will be very intensed. According to the CBRE, in 2015-2016, the market will welcome nearly 800.000m2 retail space from 24 projects. Therefore, retailer market will be faced a new challenges. Rising operating costs, the development of electronic commerce and improved knowledge of consumer in purchase decision will be the factors that led to high level of market competition.

Also in 2015-2016, villa projects seem to become very attractive investment in Vietnam. In 2016, Vingroup will launch the resort in Da Nang, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, PhuQuoc that combines financial investment to attract investors. Especially, at the beginning of March, the Group will launch VingroupVinpearl Resort & Villas project in Long Beach – Nha Trang.

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.  Our services are as following:

• Market Entry
• Tax Advice
• Legal Advice

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: +8428 3520 2779 .  To learn more about us, please visit www.antconsult.vn

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