The sale of Shop&Go to Vingroup for the price of $1 has been described as a declaration of bankruptcy, rather than an M&A deal.

VietNamNet Bridge - The total retail and consumption revenue in Vietnam saw positive growth, with the growth rate higher than GDP growth rate.

VietNamNet Bridge - The competition in the Vietnamese retail market has been consistently hot over the last decade.

Analysts several years ago predicted that foreign retailers, with their powerful financial capability and experience, would dislodge Vietnamese retailers out of the home market. But their business results have become worse.

VietNamNet Bridge - The shelves at Thai-owned supermarkets such as MM Mega Market and Big C are full of foreign-made products, while the products bearing Vietnamese brands are sparse.

The foreign retail brands which have entered the Vietnamese market recently are all powerful and experienced, but it is too early to say who will thrive.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Foreign companies are establishing a stronger presence on the fast growing Vietnamese retail market, according to a report which the Ministry of Industry and Trade released last Friday.

The retail market of Ho Chi Minh City has seen growing interest from both new and large-scale international investors.

 The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which has been in place since early this year, will breathe new life into the office and retail market in the region in general and Vietnam in particular, property service provider CBRE said in its recent report.

 Movements in the market show the fierce ambition of domestic and foreign retailers in acquiring market share.

Mr.Tadahiko Ishikawa from Aeon Vietnam, Hanoi Branch, shares his thoughts on Aeon's business plans in Vietnam and the potential of Vietnam's retail market.

VietNamNet Bridge – Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang said domestic enterprises now hold 97% local retail and wholesale market share though Vietnam opened its doors to goods imports from ASEAN decades ago.

VietNamNet Bridge – Hoa Le, national head of retail services at Cushman and Wakefield Vietnam analyses Vietnam’s retail market from the perspective of international retailers as the country prepares for a significant year of policy changes.

 Fruit, vegetable exports likely to earn 1.4 billion USD; Businesses still struggle to cut through red tape; Vietnam’s retail market sees bright prospect; Vinacomin; Mekong Delta agriculture attracts foreign investors

 Toyota Vietnam enjoys exponential growth in Q1; Retail market sets stage for price competition; Businesses seen as foundation for economic growth in 2014; Garment sector eyes localisation of inputs

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s retail market continues to flaunt its attractions as ten more international brands seek Vietnamese franchise partners.

 Vietnamese retailers have expressed concerns about the increasingly competitive retail market, as the country plans to open up to an influx of foreign retailers required by the WTO obligations, which will come into effect from January 11, 2015.

Having 130 operational shopping malls, 700 supermarkets and over 1,000 convenience stores, the Vietnamese retail market has been dominated by the three biggest names Co-op Mart, Big C and Metro.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnamese retail market is so attractive that real estate developers and bankers have also decided to join the market.

While foreign retailers have been unceasingly expanding their business by setting up more retail stores, domestic have to scale down their business because of the big losses