VietNamNet Bridge - Two companies from Thailand and Singapore, willing to buy state shares in Vinamilk, the nation’s leading dairy producer, belong to one powerful owner.

VietNamNet Bridge - French President Hollande’s visit to Vietnam is expected to pave the way for new business opportunities, even though France’s trade and investment activities in Vietnam remain unimpressive.

VietNamNet Bridge - The departure of the former owners of Big C and Metro Cash & Carry supermarkets is expected to intensify competition in the retail field.

Vietnamese retailers have been reassured that the regulation on ENT (economic needs test) would serve as a barrier that prevents foreign retailers from expanding in Vietnam and protecting local retailers. However, analysts don’t think this will work.

VietNamNet Bridge - Government officials and experts have mixed views about the collection of taxes from Uber, Coca-Cola and Big C.

VietNamNet Bridge - There are more than 700 supermarkets in the country, but most Vietnamese are indifferent to the modern retail channel.

VietNamNet Bridge - Though the taxation agency has not received official reports about the Big C Vietnam transfer deal from involved parties, it is ready to work with the parties on collecting the tax. 

VietNamNet Bridge - The phrase ‘Thai wave’ has been used recently as a series of Thai billionaires have announced the acquisition of retail chains in Vietnam. 

VietNamNet Bridge - Foreign retail chains have been expanding their networks under the cover of domestic retailers.

VietNamNet Bridge - If the government does not create reasonable policies to protect Vietnamese retailers, they would fall in competition with powerful foreign retailers. 

VietNamNet Bridge - Of the total fruit import turnover in the first four months of the year, four out of every five dollars were for Thailand.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Right after buying Big C - the biggest supermarket chain in Viet Nam - for more than US$1 billion, Thai’s Central Group allegedly requested higher rates of discount from Vietnamese suppliers.

VietNamNet Bridge - Spending billions of dollars in Vietnam, the Central Group is a powerful conglomerate. However, earnings from the business in Vietnam remain in question.

VietNamNet Bridge - Though Vietnam is seeing the strong rise of the modern distribution channel, it is traditional retail which still plays an important role in the Vietnamese distribution system.

Shoppers in Hanoi can expect to see more open-air lifestyle centres than closed-in, windowless malls, if a proposed redevelopment plan for the capital city is approved, says the Hanoi Department of Industry and Commerce.

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese manufacturers’ biggest rival is Thailand, experts say. The country exports a wide range of goods, from chicken to slippers, from cosmetics to electric cookers. 

VietNamNet Bridge - The huge assets worth $40 billion owned by three Thai billionaires will become larger thanks to the market of 90 million Vietnamese.  

VietNamNet Bridge - Thai businessmen have been pouring money into profitable Vietnamese businesses and strong brands, not just to seek short-term profits.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Bloomberg reported that Lotte Group (South Korea), TCC Holding and Central Group (Thailand) have applied to participate in the auction for the Big C Vietnam chain.

Thai conglomerates are running a race to buy Big C supermarkets in Vietnam and Thailand from French Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Commercial Division in Thailand.