Vietnam’s economic growth is set to slow down from 8% last year to 6.3% in 2023, the World Bank has forecast, pointing to internal and global headwinds. It said in its latest report: “The near-term outlook remains favorable but subject to risks. Domestic demand is expected to be affected by …
Read More »Carmakers help customers pay fees to spur demand
Auto manufacturers are paying half of or all of the March registration fees for their customers’ vehicles to stimulate demand in the sleepy car market. The plan has already led to some decreases in car retail prices, but experts are uncertain if declining sales will recover this year or not. …
Read More »Shipping group GAC sets up first office in Vietnam
Global shipping and logistics provider GAC Group has partnered with SME Logistics Holding to open its first office in Vietnam as part of the company’s expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. The office in Ho Chi Minh City provides shipping, logistics and marine services at ports along the Saigon River to …
Read More »HCMC noodle soup shop serves one-of-a-kind red sauce
For a crab noodle soup restaurant in HCMC, the open secrets to drawing its customers are a special chili sauce and fresh seafood toppings. The sentinel crab noodle restaurant Muoi Ot Do (Red Chili Salt) serves hu tieu ghe (sentinel crab noodle soup) with a variety of seafood toppings to …
Read More »High-end Android smartphones sell at steep discount
After visiting electronics stores, Minh Quan was surprised to see Xiaomi 13 Pro smartphones costing nearly VND7 million (US$297) less than their listed price of VND30 million. Besides offering discounts of VND4-5 million, most stores – in his native Da Nang — also had promotions like trade-in programs and to …
Read More »Government proposes to limit apartment ownership duration
In amendments to the Housing Law it has submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee, the Government wants the duration of apartment ownership to be fixed. With the law currently not spelling out the ownership tenure, people assume their ownership is permanent, and many refuse to relocate, making it difficult …
Read More »Indonesia’s Bali wants to tighten visa requirements for Russian tourists
Authorities in Indonesia’s popular holiday island of Bali have asked the central immigration agency to cancel a visa-on-arrival policy for Russian and Ukrainian nationals after tourists were found working illegally. Russian nationals are among the biggest groups of foreign arrivals in Indonesia, according to official tourism data. At least four …
Read More »High-end Android smartphones sell at steep discount to list prices
After visiting electronics stores, Minh Quan was surprised to see Xiaomi 13 Pro smartphones costing nearly VND7 million (US$297) less than their listed price of VND30 million. Besides offering discounts of VND4-5 million, most stores – in his native Da Nang — also had promotions like trade-in programs and to …
Read More »Customers irate as Apax Leaders shut down without offering refunds
Many parents who have spent money to pay for their children’s tuition fees at English language teaching center Apax Leaders are getting back almost nothing as its facilities have closed down. Minh Phat in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 9 has been sending his child to Apax Leaders for English …
Read More »Consumers cut back on spending amid unemployment
Vietnamese consumers are spending less on shopping and eating out as they tighten their spending amid rising inflation and unemployment. Spending in the food and beverage sector started to weaken in the last quarter of 2022, with December sales failing to meet the expectations of many industry insiders, said Lan …
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