Vietnam Market Research

  Market research is an important operation. If the market research is well done, it provides accurate information to help marketers make an appropriate strategy and then, bring high efficiency in business. In other words, if the result of market research is inaccurate information and does not correctly reflect the actual market situation, marketing activities will be inefficient.

Companies would fail if underestimating the importance of market research before entering a new market.

Therefore, market research activity is so important for whomever needing success. Namely, the market research is considered an active approach to enter into the market. The market research also helps you understand the latest development in the target market, thereby making marketing decisions quickly. The international business environment is quite volatile, that‘s why you need a proactive approach like that and it is really your competitive advantage.

Through the market research, you can form the idea of developing a new product and choose the correct strategy for that product in each specific market. Through research, you also do not have to waste money and effort for the false hope, especially when you export the products to oversea for the first time. On the other hand, it should be noted that although the market research does not make sure success in business, it will help you avoid many wrong decisions.

Market research service can:

• Help find the biggest market for your products, the fastest growing market, trends and prospects of market, conditions, business practices and opportunities for your product on the market.
• Allow to make efforts effectively in a field or a certain range. After that, you can set the priority for a specific target market and plan for the future market.
• Help understand the competitors, including strengths and weaknesses, mistakes and their causes of success.
• Help find ideas to develop new products.
• Helps strengthen business relationships with partners.

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Da Nang City to carry out investment promotion in 2022 in the direction of innovation, initiative, focus, and prioritize on strategic markets

  In 2022, Da Nang selected the theme as "Year of safe and flexible adaptation, effective disease control and socio-economic recovery and development". Accordingly, the city has built the Investment Promotion Program in 2022 in the direction of innovation, initiative, focus, prioritizing strategic markets for key fields (high technology, information technology, high-quality service, etc.) to attract foreign investors to invest and set up company in Vietnam in genenal and Da Nang in particular.

To achieve this goal, Da Nang city has promoted research, assessed potential markets and investment partners, built images, promoted, introduced the investment environment, potential policies, and opportunities for investment association and connection. Along with that, the city has supported and guided to create favorable conditions for investment activities of international investors, built a list of investment attraction projects, publications and documents for investment promotion, etc. in order to attract foreign investors into Vietnam to establish company for doing business.

Accordingly, in 2022, Da Nang will study and implement the project "Building Da Nang into a regional financial center"; Project "Development of industry and services related to yachts"; Project "Promoting investment attraction to Da Nang city in the period of 2021 - 2025, vision to 2030"; The overall project of economic diplomacy in Da Nang city in the period of 2021 - 2025; Project on implementation of research - development, incubation - start-up, innovation and training of high-quality human resources... At the same time, Da Nang City implement investment procedures and call for businesses to invest in key projects. Access and connect with venture capital funds, start-up experts, large-scale technology enterprises, innovative start-up infrastructure investors, innovative start-ups. The City is focusing on promoting key investment projects, promoting projects in high-tech zones, concentrated IT zones, etc.

Besides, Da Nang City is organizing investment promotion conferences in the form of face-to-face and online to key markets such as the US, Korea, Japan, Europe, Taiwan, Singapore...; organize connection activities, promote private investment, event Route Asia Development Forum 2022 is held in Da Nang city.

The city will also increase proactive contact with high-level contacts with large corporations (belonging to Forbes 500), businesses in developed countries (G7, G8, OECD...), business associations, and big banks of other countries. The country is having the policy to shift investment capital to focus on calling for investment in Da Nang. Da Nang city is implementing the promotion of ODA projects, projects in the form of public-private partnership (PPP) ...

In Da Nang Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Parks, in order to effectively implement the 2022 Investment Promotion Program of the City People's Committee, the Management Board of Da Nang High-Tech Park and Industrial Parks has built and issued implementing investment promotion programs in the direction of innovation, prioritizing strategic markets for key fields such as high technology, information technology, high-quality services....

Through these activities, Da Nang City hopes that in 2022, many international investors will make investments in Da Nang to set up business, in order to create a vibrant and effective investment environment, taking advantage of the strengths, investment incentives from the city, thereby bringing high profits for their investment activities.

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Risk of disputes from transactions through social networks in Vietnam

  Social networks have become popular and become an indispensable part of modern life. Along with the development of the internet, social networking applications are also used by many people as a transaction method to exchange and conclude contracts or business transaction with each other.   When a dispute occurs, it is difficult for the parties to prove the transactions and the parties involved. Hence, it is important to conduct background check on the business counterparts from financial, operational aspects instead of blind belief in the exaggerated advertising or discounted offer from them.

In fact, many individuals and organizations have reported that their partners have denied purchase and sale transactions through social networks and caused huge damages. However, the evidence provided is only messages, icons ... stored in social networking applications that carry many meanings and are easily confused in interpretation. These are quite common electronic transaction disputes today, but there is no strict legal corridor to protect parties with legitimate interests.

The legal system has not kept up with the strong development of the internet business. As a result, it raises a number of complicated issues, beyond the control of legal regulators and creates many difficulties and challenges when business disputes occur over social networks.

Specifically, many individuals engage in commercial activities but does not have a fixed location and do not register business with any authorities.  They might advertise over the internet with buying and selling goods and services without having to be responsible for any consequences for fake products or inadequate delivery of quantity or maybe even scam.

It can be seen that the lack of business registration makes it difficult to determine the truthfulness of the transaction and the competent authorities do not know the information of individuals and organizations transacting on social networks authentication of transaction status on social networks when participating in business.

According to the law, electronic data messages are expressed in the form of electronic data exchange, email and other similar forms according to the provisions of the law on electronic transactions. Electronic is also a source of evidence used as a basis to determine the validity of a transaction. Therefore, it can be seen that in fact transactions via social networks are also a form of electronic transactions with legal value. However, these transactions present a lot of potential risks because it is difficult to prove to the authorities when dispute arise.

Because these accounts can be easily disabled, communications can be deleted or hidden, and the name of the account holder is easy to change. Moreover, when transacting and exchanging via social networks, the parties cannot control whether the person being exchanged is an authorized person or not. The violating party will rely on the above reasons to deny all the content discussed with the partner.

Transactions through social network platform are thriving and are expected to bring value. However, in order to contribute to promoting the sustainable and safe development of this type of business, more legal regulations governing related issues are needed. In addition, in order to limit disputes and risks in these transactions, individuals and businesses need to carefully check the partner information, from authenticity, adverse media, reputation online or engage third party consulting company to verify business registration, search business shareholders information, visit office or operation site for audit, undertake background check, criminal record for protection of interest if the dispute occurs.

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Nothing Can Stop Investors Coming to Vietnam

  Many foreign investors have once again affirmed the attractiveness of Vietnam as an investment destination.

It is no coincidence that the Vietnam Intensive Online Conference, recently held within the framework of Standard Chartered Bank's ASEAN-focused investment attraction series, took the theme “Vietnam - Rising star".

A survey showed that 38% of enterprises surveyed said that they would consider expanding their supply chain in Vietnam. This is the highest rate among ASEAN countries.

With strong fundamentals such as a young, dynamic and tech-savvy population, a growing domestic market, a growing middle class and an open economy, Vietnam continues to deliver attractive investment opportunities.  However, it is equally important to manage risk especially in understanding business partners through corporate intelligence investigation, background studying, adverse media search.

Many multinational corporations have been interested in establishing business investments in Vietnam in order to take advantage of the close geographical distance and the ability to connect with ASEAN to promote business activities.

According to data provided by the Japan Trade Promotion Organization (JETRO), more than 40% of the total of 3,500 Japanese enterprises surveyed said they were considering expanding operations in Vietnam, to set up company within the next three years.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has just been signed between the Foreign Investment Agency (Ministry of Planning and Investment) and JETRO. The agreement was awarded in the witness of Vietnam Prime Minister on September 7^th 2020, confirming the great efforts of both the Foreign Investment Agency and JETRO in implementing measures to promote Japanese investment in Vietnam.

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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 including 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 understanding business partners through corporate intelligence investigation, background studying, adverse media search through professional consultants in Vietnam whom understand languages, cultures, legal environment and business 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.

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Binh Dinh Is Active in Calling for Investment

  Thanks to the early approval of planning and proactive in calling for investment, for many years, Binh Dinh has caught the eye not only of investors in the country, but also internationally to come and invest, set up company in Vietnam.

With its strategic geographical location and synchronous investment in infrastructure, Binh Dinh has become a reliable destination for investors.

Over the past time, the province has actively reviewed and adjusted the planning and developed strategic plans for development in each area; focus on expanding industrial development space, building new industrial zones and clusters, developing raw material areas with high economic value; proactively prepare well for infrastructure, especially land; accelerate the implementation of administrative reform, improve the investment and business environment.

In particular, Binh Dinh consistently implements the policy of selective investment attraction, giving priority to industries and projects using modern technology, high added value and making a great contribution to the state budget, environmentally friendly, use less labor, focus on electronics, processing and manufacturing.

Investment attraction has been and is a key solution for Binh Dinh province to accelerate economic growth. Therefore, solutions to improve the investment and business environment are identified as the key tasks of all levels and sectors.

In the coming time, the locality will continue to focus on inviting domestic and foreign investors with potential and strong brands to invest in key projects in key fields such as tourism - services, infrastructure. transportation, education, health, supporting industry, processing industry, seaport, high-tech agriculture, software production... Prioritize to attract projects with modern technology and friendly to the environment.

In addition, the locality will continue to focus on inviting major investors capable of attracting and promoting auxiliary projects, clean technology projects from Japanese, Korean, US and Western Europe partners... In addition, the administrative reform will continue to be improved, focusing on business registration, construction licensing, investment licensing, land allocation procedures...

Binh Dinh is considered to be a place that meets many conditions, from geographical location to transport infrastructure, including seaports, railways, airlines and Nhon Hoi Economic Zone, which enjoy outstanding mechanisms... This has helped the locality have many opportunities and great advantages to promote FDI attraction in the post-Covid-19 period.

Only in the last 4 months, large foreign enterprises want to pour capital into the locality such as: Mitsubishi Corporation considers building automobile factories; Hyundai Aluminum Vina Company hopes to invest in infrastructure of a high-tech industrial park in Binh Dinh and promises to attract about 60 Korean investors to produce and do business; Cammsys Company (Korea) wishes to cooperate in developing an electric car supply project; The German Group proposed to develop an offshore wind power park with a total capital of billions of USD...

Binh Dinh province is also focusing on the "dual mission" that is to prevent epidemics, develop socio-economic and well implement the key tasks set out.

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Tips to reduce risks when purchasing medical supplies from Vietnam

  As the Covid 19 pandemic is still occurring in many countries around the world, a large number of medical equipment or accessories being Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as N95 respirator masks, surgical masks and other items essential to protecting doctors, nurses, others on the front lines of the pandemic are required to be purchased and sold from many different countries to meet the demand for treatment disease globally.

Vietnam is a country that has many enterprises producing medical supplies such as medical gloves, medical masks, which are the focal points supplying goods to many businesses around the world. However, buying and selling quickly, and without researching their partners has caused many businesses to face many risks when purchasing of medical supplies in Vietnam. Here are some tips for buying and selling medical equipment in Vietnam safely and effectively.

Searching for a partner is the necessary work. Currently, to meet the increasing demand for buying and selling medical supplies, many companies switch to the medical supplies business as the broker to take opportunities in this field. It will help the buyer finding a selling partner more convenient because more brokers reach out to buyers.  However, there are many sellers who do not have a valid business registration or are not able to supply the goods, however, they still approach the buyer and guarantee to deliver the goods on request. Many buyers have been deceived by businesses that are not capable of doing business with the deposits, failure to deliver goods, deliver the wrong quality, quantity, ... Therefore, searching for the seller carefully, and undertaking due diligence on the seller with the help of local risk management company will help buyers to avoid the risks of buying the wrong goods.

In terms of product prices, when buying medical supplies from a third party (not directly from the manufacturer), the price of the equipment could increase many times compared to the price offered by the manufacturer.  Sometimes, the brokers could not fix the price because their offering price depend on the buying price they receive from manufacturers or traders while the supply of goods are not guaranteed.  This could create problems for the buyer if the delivery and price have been committed to final clients oversea with hefty fine clauses if breaching the contract.

There are potential medical supplies without origin, or quality assurance, being purchased and sold to the market, therefore the buyer needs to ensure the seller provides qualified goods as their request.

When trading with an unqualified seller, there is a risk that the seller cannot meet the required quantity of the goods, especially in the case of the sellers are not the manufacturer. Because the number of goods produced could not meet the demand, in fact, many manufacturing companies in Vietnam have stopped accepting orders for some time from many customers.  However, many the third-party continue to receive orders from buyers, resulting in an inability to deliver on time or inability to meet the required quantity. When having a request for delivery from the buyer, these sellers will not answer the buyer's questions, refuse to receive phone calls, emails, ... leading to the buyer being inaccessible to the seller at this time which affects the business of the buyer.

Especially in the difficult situation when limited traveling between countries are allowed due to the pandemic, the discussion via electronic means such as Email or social network platforms, ... will help the parties can discuss in an easy way. However, discussion or exchange of information via electronic means, will meet potentially risk when the buyer exchange with another third party (who may not be representative of the seller). In many cases, the parties exchange messages via regular messaging apps, which cannot determine if the subject exchanging is exactly the seller or not. In the event of a dispute when buying or selling goods, this proof is that the message which cannot determine the sender shall not be enough to prove the wrongdoings. Therefore, when exchanging communication, the parties should take precaution steps to verify the other parties ensuring the exchange is carried out properly with the authorized person.

In addition, to ensure the rights in the purchase and sale of medical supplies, signing the sale and purchase contracts is extremely important.  The contracts should be in written and duly signed and stamped by parties.  Trusting in business should be accompanied with legal documents for sustainable business.   When performing the contract in accordance with the regulations of the law will help the parties to limit risks and this is considered as specific legal evidence that forces the parties to comply with regulations and ensure their rights when buying and selling goods, especially international sale goods.

Finally, with significant transaction, the buyer could minimize risks through the helps of local risk management company in Vietnam to undertake due diligence on the seller’s business registration certificate, business location, real operation at site, adverse media check for past wrongdoings and general personal or corporate reputation.

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