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Samsung Display staffer on Sunday said the Vietnamese government recently approved a US$2.5 billion investment in the factory in the country’s northern Bắc Ninh region. That will raise the firm’s total investment in the plant to $6.5 billion.Samsung Display brings OLED panels manufactured in Korea to the Vietnamese factory and turns them into modules with circuits before sending them to affiliate Samsung Electronics.The move comes ahead of Apple’s plans to equip the iPhone 8 with OLED panels when it is released in the second half of this year, while Chinese rivals OPPO, Vivo and Huawei are also boosting OLED smartphone production.

Now we’re hearing about Samsung wanting to invest even more into OLED technology. A new report talks about Samsung finalizing a deal that would have them invest $2.5 billion in OLED production within the country of Vietnam. While there is still a lot of work to be done before the deal finally happens, they are working on the conditions of the production facility, and the type of tax benefits the facility would be able to bring in.

If everything goes smoothly though, we should see an official announcement made sometime in the first quarter of this year. Samsung actually already invests in OLED panel production within the country, and this would bring the total up to $6 billion. This new deal could even be due to the company’s need to produce more OLED panels for Apple and its upcoming iPhones, but we’ll see the benefit of these investments across multiple markets that utilize OLED panels regardless of whether those rumors prove true.

Source:chosun.com

Last year, e-commerce revenues increased to $5 billion, accounting for about three per cent of the total retail trade and services revenue. It has become an indispensable extension for businesses as a rapidly growing country with growing Internet connectivity deepens its global integration process.The development of multi-channel businesses that combines physical stores with an online presence has become an inevitable trend.

Viet Nam has a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of more than six per cent per year. Internet connectivity is growing by 50 per cent plus every year. Online marketing revenues in the country increased from US$26 million to nearly $330 million in the 2010-2015 period.It is not surprising that with these advantages, the nation’s e-commerce market has witnessed the entrance of large players in the last few years.

The Vingroup officially stepped into e-commerce in 2015 with its Adayroi trading floor. Earlier, several savvy entrepreneurs had launched online shopping websites that became popular, like sendo.vn, nguyenkim.com, tiki.vn, zalora.vn and lazada.vn.The South Korean Lotte Group also entered e-commerce market in Viet Nam last year with its lotte.vn website. It was followed soon by Japan’s largest retailer Aeon, which launched aeoneshop.com at the beginning of this month.

Given their brand prominence and their large story systems, aeoneshop.com and lotte.vn are expected to offer stiff competition to sites like lazada.vn and tiki.vn that currently dominate the domestic market.E-commerce revenues in Viet Nam reached $4.07 billion in 2015, a 37 per cent year-on-year increase. It also accounted for about 2.8 per cent of total retail trade and services revenue.

More than half the Vietnamese respondents said they purchased books, music and stationery products (51 per cent) and 47 per cent said they bought travel products or services online.Four in 10 respondents (40 per cent) said they purchased personal-care and beauty products online.About one-fourth (26 per cent) said they placed online orders for babies and infants; an equal number ordered meal-kits or restaurant deliveries and one-fifth ordered packaged groceries online.

Source:vietnamnet

PSA Group (Paris:UG) and its partner THACO (Truong Haï Auto Corporation) have signed a contract to accelerate the development of their activities in Vietnam by committing to local assembly and bringing to market two new SUVs, to be produced in THACO’s plant in Chulai (Quang Nam Province).

This new project of local assembly line will kick off in October 2017 and is aiming to cover the needs of the Vietnamese market for volume of 27,000 units over the period 2017-2020.The signing ceremony was held at the THACO headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City, in the presence of Mr Tran Ba Duong, Chairman of THACO Group, and Denis Martin, Executive Vice-President China and ASEAN of PSA Group.

THACO Group, leader in the Vietnamese automobile market, is the assembler, importer and distributor of the Peugeot brand in Vietnam since 2014.These two new SUVs will complement the current range composed of the PEUGEOT 208, 3008 and 508. They will be the spearhead of a modern range to position Peugeot as the best high end generalist brand bringing the best of technology on the Vietnamese market.

This agreement is part of the strategic plan of profitable growth “Push to Pass” and materializes the Group’s ambition to accelerate its development in ASEAN.On this occasion, Tran Ba Duong, President of THACO, declared: “After a first phase 2014-2016 marked by the return of the Peugeot brand in Vietnam, this agreement materializes the acceleration of our ambitions in the Vietnamese market. A dynamic Network development plan will accompany the growth of the brand in Vietnam by 2020.”

Denis Martin added: “The strengthening of our partnership in Vietnam with THACO group is part of the Group’s long-term strategy to increase sales in South East Asia, a strategic region with strong growth potential The development of our local production capacities with THACO will allow us to aim for 5% market share in Vietnam in 2020, a market that should rapidly exceed 300 000 vehicle per year.”

Source:Business wire

– Please RSVP using the form at the bottom of the page –

Vietnam’s new residential housing law implemented on 1st July 2015 allows foreigners to buy properties in the country for a 50-year leasehold with renewal possibility upon expiration. This, coupled with the infrastructure development such as the metro (MRT) system in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), new international airport by year 2025, and the Regeneration of Thu Thiem – the new “West Kowloon” / “Pudong” of HCMC, will contribute to the upside in HCMC’s property market. If you are considering investing in HCMC properties but are not familiar with the city, this is a great opportunity for you to learn from a local expert.

Our project Vista Verde in HCMC, developed by CapitaLand (owned by Temasek/Singapore Government, rated AAA/Aaa/AAA) will be launched in Hong Kong for the first time during our event.

Dates: 4-5 March 2017 (Sat & Sun)
Venue: Forum room 1 on level B2, Regal Hongkong Hotel, 88 Yee Wo Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Cost: Free
Choose a Session:
Session 1: 11.30am – 1.30pm (Eng)
Session 2: 2 – 4pm (Canto) #Full on Saturday, Sunday still available
Session 3: 4.30 – 6.30pm (Canto)

*** CapitaLand’s Latest HCMC Project from HKDM1.5M / 10% Down-payment / *8% p.a. Rental Yield ***

Topics to be covered at the seminar:

1. Understanding the new residential housing law of Vietnam for foreigners (i.e. who are eligible to purchase, what are the restrictions, and whether I purchase under my own name or a company & etc)
2. The impact of the new (MRT) Metro Lines, new airport and Regeneration of Thu Thiem (the new “West Kowloon” / “Pudong” area of HCMC), to the HCMC property market
3. Investment hotspots in HCMC – an analysis of various locales within the city will be provided with a summary of the top investment favorites
4. Current updates on the HCMC property market with an economic impact study
5. Relevant procedures and costs for property investments in HCMC
6. Infrastructure developments in HCMC and its impact on the property market
7. Vietnam property market trends and forecast
8. Capital gains and exit procedures for HCMC property investments
9. Tips for first time buyers

Click here to RSVP now

Introducing the new residential housing law of Vietnam for foreigners:

Vietnam Property Market Updates:

Above: High end properties in HCMC are currently selling around HKD1,500 p.s.f., significantly lagging behind other South East Asian countries

Above: HCMC currently offers an attractive rental yield of 8% p.a.

Introducing Infrastructure Projects in HCMC:

1/ New (MRT) Metro Lines by Year 2020

2/ US$16B New Airport in HCMC by Year 2025

3/ The Regeneration of Thu Thiem – The “West Kowloon” / “Pudong” of HCMC 

Located across the Saigon River from District 1, the 657 hectare area known as Thu Thiem is ideally located to become the “West Kowloon” / “Pudong” of Ho Chi Minh City.

Introducing The Project – Vista Verde in HCMC, by CapitaLand:

2-4 Bed Apartments, net sizes from 837 – 2,085 sq.f. 

The View From The Apartment:

Premium units in Lotus tower are accompanied by a stunning view of the Saigon River and the magnificent District 1 City skyline

The Project Location:

Vista Verde is well-located on Dong Van Cong Street which is very near to The New CBD Thu Thiem Area (“West Kowloon” / “Pudong” of HCMC) and well-connected to private international schools, shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants, cinemas and government offices.

6 private international schools in this area which include British International School, Australian International School, Saigon Star International School, International School Ho Chi Minh City and Eaton House Kindergarten.

Past Projects of CapitaLand Sold Out Fast – Come Early!

Project Summary:

• Condominium units from around HKD 1,500,000
• First down-payment 10% (~i.e. only HKD150,000 is needed)
• Target completion date Feb 2018
• Reselling before completion date is allowed
• Net area from 77.81 – 193.80 sq.m. (i.e. 837 – 2,085 sq.f.), ideal for expat families
• Prices from HKD1,500 p.s.f. for both locals and foreigners
• 2-bed, 3-bed & 4-bed units are available
• Freehold for Vietnamese; Leasehold 50 years with renewal possibility for foreigners – the property immediately becomes freehold when a foreigner resells the unit to a local Vietnamese
• Located close to the Thu Thiem regeneration area which is poised to be the “West Kowloon” / “Pudong” of HCMC
• Choice units in Lotus Tower have panoramic stunning view of Saigon River & City Centre
• Developed by CapitaLand which is a Singapore SGX Listed Company and 40% owned by Temasek (Singapore Government, rated AAA/Aaa/AAA)
• 30% foreign quota with pink book is available for foreigners
• More than 50 facilities with unique and exceptional design for a mix of resort and active lifestyle, with the following “Star Facilities”: Resort-Style Swimming Pool, Cascading Waterfall, Orchid Garden, Outdoor Kids Zone, Shopping Town, Lounging Deck, Entertainment Room, Reading Lounge, Taichi Zone, Sky Foyer, Picnic Lawn, Jogging Track, BBQ Terrace, Gym with 360 degree view and many more
• Car park spaces are available
• Fully finished units
• Expected gross rental yield of 8% p.a.*
• Emperor Key (Golden Emperor’s subsidiary) will provide leasing & property management services to our overseas clients
• Booking of the units can be done in Hong Kong without the need to travel to Vietnam – come to our event to find out more!

* Projected yield and is not guaranteed

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has come up with an idea to open military facilities to draw tourists from China as part of a campaign to show Thailand’s new look, TAT deputy governor Srisuda Wanapinyosak said.

Mrs Srisuda, TAT deputy governor for Asia and the Pacific marketing, said the TAT had asked the navy to open its facilities such as warships, firing ranges and training camps for Chinese free independent tourists (FIT) to visit. About 60-70% of tourists visiting Thailand are in the FIT category while 30-40% are in tour groups.

She said the TAT had also prepared to improve the structure of the Chinese market to be of a quality grade by holding more activities. For example, some Chinese tourists have visited Thailand many times but never taken a bicycle ride around the Rattanakosin Island.

More tourist attractions which show Thai identity will be opened for the Chinese market, she said.

Mrs Srisuda said since China was a communist country, its people are not allowed to enter military facilities. She believes warships, firing ranges and others will be exciting for them.

According to the Department of Tourism’s statistics, 8.75 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand in 2016, a 10.34% increase from the previous year.

Source: Bangkok Post