Solar Energy Power Future in Vietnam

Energy market in Vietnam

Although the initial investment cost for solar energy in Vietnam is high but it brings in opportunities for cheaper option than thermal power technology being used in Vietnam.

In other country, solar power plants are competing fiercely with the thermal power plants running on coal.

In Vietnam, Thien Tan solar energy plant has been started to construct on 24 ha land in Quang Ngai with capacity of 19.2 MW at investment of VND 800 bil. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has also approved the investment project of Tuy Phong solar energy plant on 50 ha land in Binh Thuan with capacity of 30 MW at investment of VND 1,454 bil. This will open opportunities for renewable energy to contribute to the effort of protecting the environment and curbing climate change.

The solar energy is new in Vietnam therefore the investment in this area is at very early stage. However, the foreign investors have been increasingly interested in seeking opportunities in investment in solar energy projects.

Similar to investment in wind power energy in Vietnam, one of the concerns for investors is the expected increase in purchasing price from Electricity Vietnam Corporation, the party whom purchase the electricity on Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Further, legal frameworks for promoting solar energy investment are not yet finalized. Accordingly, the contribution ratio of renewable energy in Vietnam is minimal. The Vietnam government has been trying to put some effort to increase the renewable energy contribution to 5,6% (in 2020) and 9,4% (2030).

To achieve this, Vietnam government shall need to be consulted on plan to support the solar energy investment project in Vietnam in tax, land, capital, power purchase agreement. Investors would need to be consulted by local consulting firm on process, procedures on investment policy, appraisal process, power purchase agreement, and other steps to develop and execute an energy project in Vietnam to improve the effectiveness of the investment in renewable energy.

ANT Consulting assists clients with Market Entry, Legal Advice, Tax Advice and Outsourcing Services in Vietnam.

We are located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Talk to our consultants at +84 28 3520 2779 or email us ant@antconsult.vn

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Fast-moving Consumer Goods Market in Vietnam

FMCG intelligence in Vietnam

1.Overview

With increasing disposable income, rising living standard, stable GDP and economic growth, young population and low inflation, Vietnam is one of the most dynamic emerging market in Southeast Asia region. Fast moving consumer goods industry has promised a robust development.

2. FMCG in Vietnam

FMCG growth

The MoIT forecast that total revenue of the consumer goods-related sectors in Vietnam will hit 140 billion USD in 2016, thus creating great opportunities for FMCG businesses at home to boost production and expand the market. There is a significant volume growth from -1,6% in 2014 to 2,7% in 2015 in terms of demand for FMCG and the figure is expected to continue increasing in 2016 and 2017 (Nielsen, 2015). Vietnam’s volume growth in 2015 in only behind Thailand and the Philippines in South East Asian religion. In short term, urban citizens remain positive value growth of 3,6% whereas value of growth in rural areas grow at weak pace. The latest statistics released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade show that after China, Thailand is Vietnam’s second biggest suppliers of consumer goods with its garments and household utensils present in nearly 8,600 markets across the country. Besides, Japan and the Republic of Korea are also penetrating into the Vietnamese market through chains of convenience stores.

Value contribution in FMCG

It can be seen from the chart beverage contribute the largest value to FMCG industry while baby care products remain the lowest value contribution. Interestingly, urban prefers liquid tonic food drink with the rise of 4,4 PTS when the most popular beverage in rural is soya milk with the increase of 8,7 PTS.

Distribution channel

The data of Kantar research shows that traditional trade outlet such as wet markets and grocery stores is still one of the most popular channel for FMCG. Convenient stores/mini market is a new rising star in distribution channel which experience 60% growth from 2014 to 2015. For example, VinMart + have appeared from 100 to 200 store in 2015, Circle K from 97 to 129 stores, and Shop & Go from 103 to 130 stores. E-commerce also will be a big trend which reaches steady growth of 13%.

Consumer behaviour patterns

Consumer confidence index also experiences positive trend since Vietnam is the 6th most optimistic country globally. Despite of the increase of 6,3% CPI in 2015 compared to 2014, Vietnamese consumer is prudent, still prefer saving than spending. Pricing has also been one of the most important decision making factor during purchase. Additionally, dropping shopping frequency proves that Vietnamese consumer has been lessen spending

The demand for high end FMCG is still week regard to relatively low income of majority of Vietnamese consumers in rural areas. Compared to other South East Asian countries, Vietnam’s per-capital expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages was US$200 in 2011 while this figure is US$900 in Thai Land and US$1000 in Malaysia.

3. Future trend and potential investment

Booming of foreign investment in FMCG

Vietnam has emerged as a popular destination for multinational and regional retailers. It is allegedly agreed that Vietnamese consumers are more likely to prefer foreign brands. In addition, 57% of Vietnam’s population below 35 years old, 44% monthly increasing income, 30% urbanisation rate with 3,4% growth rate per year; and 1.6 times more college and university graduate (Nielsen) result in the shift toward modern trade outlets such as shopping mall and supermarket. Some of well-known foreign retailers are AEON (Japan), Lotte (Korea), Central Group (Thailand), Mark and Spencer (UK). In additional to strong foreign competitors, Vinmart and Citimart are the most popular domestic rising stars in FMCG/retail market in Vietnam.

Shopper get smarter and more purchasing power

In 2015, 48% of Vietnamese consumers stated that “staying fit and healthy” is the top concern (Nielsen). Therefore, Vietnamese consumers have become more concerned about the quality, hygiene and safety of the products. Due to high competition in FMCG industry in terms of manufactures and retail outlets, Vietnamese consumer have more purchase power decision. This implies that manufactures as well as retailers also need to be more selective with the products that provide to customers.

The emergence of new online channel

According to Nielson report in 2 big cities: Hanoi and HCMC, 92% of internet users are online shopper and 93% of shopper are middle class and millennial. Additionally, in such a busy world, on-the-go lifestyle will become a big trend in Vietnam. Thus, it indicates the high demand for online platform that conveniently host information and acquire interaction between online and offline store choices. Also lack of innovative approach and strategy to attract online shoppers is a huge issue in Vietnam market at the moment. Also there has been a huge lack of accessibility to online channel in rural areas and other smaller cities. E-commerce in FMCG promises high potential for investment

ANT Consulting assists clients with Market Entry, Legal Advice, Tax Advice and Outsourcing Services in Vietnam.

We are located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Talk to our consultants at +84 28 3520 2779 or email us ant@antconsult.vn

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Invest in Real Estate of Vietnam in 2016?

Real Estate regulatory in Vietnam

The real estate market in 2016 will continue to recover. Vietnam real estate sector had signs of recovery in late of 2013 and lasted until 2015. Up to now, there were not any signs showed that development flow will be slowed in 2016.

In general, as recorded, real estate price is increasing and the actual increase amplitude ranging from 5 – 15%, certainly not with every market segment and every project. According to experts, the price increasing is also consistent with the rule that the market is starting to come up from the bottom but not yet peaked.

If we look at the profit of the real estate businesses in 2014, businesses that operated efficiently in 2014 have achieved profit in the range of 5 – 15%. In 2015, the number has increased to 15 – 20%. However, a common project construction time is about 3 – 4 years so the profit margin is not too high. Compared with the period of the real estate bubble, this is still sustainable growth rate.

Also in 2016, the property was evaluated as a safe investment channel and promising to create added value. If the national economy continues to grow, along with a series of extensive integration opportunities that we are, can hope 2016 will form the opportunity to create added value for real estate Vietnam.

The important thing is the final price when reaching home buyers is still in the acceptable range. According to the real estate consultants, if buyer has financial capability, they should buy or invest in real estate right now because the price in the next year is likely to rise.

In 2016, real estate is evaluated as a safe investment channel and promising to create value added. If the national economy continues to grow along with a series of extensive integration opportunities that Vietnam had, it is hoped that 2016 will form many opportunities to create value added for Vietnam real estate market.

When investing in real estate market at this time, investors can easier to buy at cheaper price and more options. Market supply is abundant only with the apartment segment with prices more than 20 million VND/m2, while the segment with prices below 20 million VND/m2, there are not enough houses to sell to buyers.

There are many projects that products are sold out within a month. Hence, small and medium class segments are having greater certainty and especially never being affected by the financial crisis. It also demonstrates two issues: consumer confidence has begun to return to Vietnam real estate market and real estate market of Vietnam always have really secure segment.

ANT Consulting assists clients with Market Entry, Legal Advice, Tax Advice and Outsourcing Services in Vietnam.

We are located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Talk to our consultants at +84 28 3520 2779 or email us ant@antconsult.vn

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President of Ireland visit Vietnam and Promote Investment

Real Estate regulatory in Vietnam

President Michael D. Higgins has begun a State visit to Vietnam to promote cooperation with Vietnam and encourage Irish businesses’s investment and setting up companies in various sectors, including trade – investment, education – training, green technology, wind energy, agriculture, health and sustainable development.

Vietnam and Ireland trade turnover has grown strongly in recent years (particularly for first 9 months of 2016, which reached USD 798 million, more than 3 times compared to the same period of 2015). Vietnam agrees to create favorable conditions and encourage enterprises Ireland to set-up company in Vietnam to promote trading, technology transfer, especially in the areas of investing in renewable (wind) energy projects, agriculture and food processing, information, communication, medical, and aviation…, especially in the context of the free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU is about to be signed and implemented. The two sides also agreed to consider education, training as key areas of cooperation in the future and encourages higher education establishments of the two countries.

It is appreciated that Government of Ireland considers Vietnam as a priority partner in development cooperation policy, and that projects funded by Ireland have been effectively implemented, which contribute significantly to the Vietnam social economic development. According to President Michael D. Higgins, Ireland will soon announce the national strategy for development cooperation with Vietnam in the period 2017 – 2020 to support poverty reduction, adaptation to climate change and implementation of the sustainable development objectives.

Wishing to strengthen the friendship and mutual understanding between the people of Vietnam and Ireland, the two sides agreed to promote cultural exchanges, art and promote the role of the Vietnamese community Vietnam in Ireland, contributing to boosting bilateral cooperation in other fields.

The state visit of Ireland President will definitely open a new chapter of economic relationship between Vietnam and Ireland, laying grounds for further investment from Irish investors in various sectors, especially in wind energy investment, aviation, education, technology, medical and many other opportunities, through direct investment i.e. setting up companies, investing in projects in Vietnam in various forms.

ANT Consulting assists clients with Market Entry, Legal Advice, Tax Advice and Outsourcing Services in Vietnam.

We are located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Talk to our consultants at +84 28 3520 2779 or email us ant@antconsult.vn

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Alibaba from China Acquires Lazada Vietnam

Buy a company in Vietnam

Recently, there is a trend that foreign company comes and buy company in Vietnam, in order to expand their business operation and also set foot in Vietnam market, where is emerging as a potential market of the area.

Alibaba Group – China’s giant technology corporation has spent 1 billion USD to acquire Lazada, thereby officially set foot in the online sales market of Vietnam.

On April 12th 2016, the China’s giant technology group named Alibaba Group announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the control of e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, which is Lazada with an amount of 1 billion USD , thereby officially set foot in Vietnam.

The transaction includes an investment of 500 million USD in Lazada’s newly issued equity and the repurchase of shares of some Lazada’s shareholders include Rocket Internet SE, Tesco Plc and Investment AB Kinnevik with a total investment value of Alibaba reach approximately 1 billion USD.

This acquisition is expected to help worldwide brands and distributors that are trading on the platform of Alibaba, as well as local vendors can reach the consumer market of Southeast Asia. In addition, Alibaba deal with a certain number of shareholders of Lazada, giving Alibaba the right to purchase and shareholders the right to sell its remaining shares in Lazada at the market prices in 12-18 months after the completion of the transaction.

Lazada is headquartered in Singapore, which was founded and operated by Rocket Internet SE from Germany. The company carries out e-commercial activities in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

According to Bloomberg, the deal came from the objectives set by the billionaire cum Alibaba’s chairman Jack Ma, targeting at least half of company revenue comes from markets outside of China.

Through the deal with Lazada, Alibaba generate more revenue from sale of clothing and electronics in 6 regional markets in Southeast Asia where Lazada if operating, including Vietnam.

ANT Consulting assists clients with Market Entry, Legal Advice, Tax Advice and Outsourcing Services in Vietnam.

We are located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Talk to our consultants at +84 28 3520 2779 or email us ant@antconsult.vn

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50.6% of FDI Enterprises Will Expand Operation in Next Two Years

Vietnam company formation

According to the PCI-FDI 2016 survey, confidence in the business prospects of FDI enterprises operating in Vietnam is maintained.

Specifically, investors are more optimistic than the period 2012 – 2013, but not as high as in 2010. This is the responses from 1,550 FDI enterprises, coming from 46 different countries and territories operating in 14 provinces and cities of Vietnam, where concentrating the largest number of FDI enterprises, according to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam.

The reason persuading FDI enterprises to expand their investment in Vietnam is that legal changes have created a friendlier legal environment for foreign direct investors. In particular, FDI enterprises assessed that the cost of entering the market and corruption have decreased. This also means that investors who want to enter Vietnam market in the next two years will have a much friendlier environment than before.

This year, PCI-FDI has found interesting new, that is the emergence of nearly 6% of enterprises registered to operate as domestic enterprises.

The number of foreign investors operating in the form of domestic enterprises has increased over time. The reason is that the Investment Law of 2014 stipulates that FDI capital projects in which foreign investors or FDI enterprises holding less than 51% of charter capital will not need to apply for Investment Certificate.

In addition, more than 89% of FDI enterprises participating in the PCI survey are 100% foreign investment enterprises, increased from 87% in 2015. The type of joint ventures only accounted for 7%.

Similar to the results of PCI-FDI survey in previous years, FDI enterprises operating in Vietnam are mostly small-scale and export oriented enterprises, operating in sectors with relatively low marginal interest rates. They often provide goods or services to larger producers or multinational corporations, so they are mostly at the lowest position in the product value chain.

ANT Consulting assists clients with Market Entry, Legal Advice, Tax Advice and Outsourcing Services in Vietnam.

We are located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Talk to our consultants at +84 28 3520 2779 or email us ant@antconsult.vn

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