Vietnam has experienced strong economic growth over the past decades. However, there are still challenges ahead as the country develops further. Foreign direct investment has increased steadily but is still concentrated in certain industries and regions of the country. While Vietnam remains an attractive investment destination, investors should be aware of growing pains like overheating and inflation the country experienced in 2008. Overall, Vietnam's economic growth appears sustainable due to factors like political stability, high savings rates, and investment in education. However, infrastructure development requires continued focus to support future growth.
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Vietnammarket 2009
1. Where is
Vietnam
going from
here ?
Damien Duhamel
Managing Director Asia
www.solidiance.com
2. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
3 objectives
We were keen to invest in Vietnam, now
we will definitely move forward
We were not so keen to invest in
Vietnam but we may now explore
further
We were not very keen to invest in
Vietnam and now we probably wont
2
4. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
strong GDP growth
Vietnams economic growth - on average Real GDP growth 1980 2006 (in %)
well above 7% since 1990 12
10
8
Vietnam has been consistently topping
6
the economic growth performance in
ASEAN since 1990. 4
2
0
80-90 90-03 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009f
CAGR GDP growth overt the past 15 years
is 8% - Only China has better numbers to China Thailand Vietnam
show in Asia (9%)
GDP per capita 2003 2006 (in US$)
5000
Despite Vietnams impressive growth 4000
performance over the past two decades 3000
it is still catching up with Thailand and 2000
China in terms of GDP per capita. Its GDP
1000
per capita is at this moment still roughly
5 times lower than that of Thailand and 2.5 0
times lower than that of China 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009f
China Thailand Vietnam
4
5. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
20,000
timid and inconsistent FDI
Steadily growing flow of FDI into 16,000
Vietnam, more to come.
14,000
Vietnams regime has been gradually
liberalizing its economy since the 80s.
Further liberalization was and will continue
to be facilitated by WTO obligations.
As a result, Vietnam has become
increasingly attractive to foreign
investors, particularly in light of its strategic
location in Southeast Asia, large
population, and abundance of natural
resources
A steadily growing flow of FDI into
Vietnam is testimony to this growing
attraction, and underlines the success of
Vietnams efforts to develop the country
into a force in Asia to reckon with
2007 2008 2009f
Yearly FDI flow 1988 2009 (USD M)
5
6. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
asia dominates FDI where is the EU ?
Top 10 Investors in Vietnam 1988 2008 (USD B)
Rank Country USD Billions
1 Korea 14
Asia 2
3
Singapore
Taiwan
12
11
4 Japan 10
5 BVI 9.5
6 HK 6
7 Malaysia 4.2
GC 8
9
USA
Netherlands
4.1
2.6
10 France 2.3
12 China 1.8
EU 15 UK 1.5
6
7. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
south dominates FDI inflow
FDI is focused on the South of Vietnam
25% More than 55% of the total investment
capital
between was invested into the
South whilst the North accounted for a little
over 24%
Besides the key cities, i.e. HCMC and
Hanoi,
investment poured mainly into provinces
bordering HCMC such as Dong Nai
(16.22%), Binh Duong (9.44%), and Vung Tau
(5.56%)
55%
7
8. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
industrial & manufacturing revolution
8%
22%
Key FDI sectors
Roughly 70% of FDI is undertaken in the
70% Industry and Construction Sector, 22% in the
Services Sector and the remainder in Agro-
Fishery & Forestry. The investment into
services is mostly in the area of
Hotels, Offices, Transport and Telecom
8
9. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
Vietnam 2008 - growing pains
-Overheating economy
-Over speculative mentality
25% !
-Too fast banking sector
liberalization
-Commodity climbing prices
impact
-Natural market
CPI readjustment
-FDI still very impressive
-Country remains most
attractive in Asean
-Pains will ease after Tet 2009
-Vietnam remains insulated
-Timed M&A activities
9
12. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
should we enter VN ?
Yes, if
You are selling machinery with unique
technology and applications
You are in the IT and e-commerce fields
80,000 IT graduates a year and growing
You are looking for a safe and affordable
manufacturing hub for exports (furniture /
textile / CPG / Toys / etc.)
Your products serve the infrastructure needs
of the country or the new consumerism of its
people
12
13. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
should we enter VN ?
Not really if
If your shareholders hope for immediate
quarterly earnings. The Vietnamese have
time, your shareholders dont
If you are in industries with low barriers to
entry or solely capitalizing on your IP/Brand.
13
17. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
is Vietnam a communist country?
Yes just like China
Vietnamese are pragmatic. Why rock the
boat when it takes us to destination?
Personal economic advancement takes
over political challenge.
Modern and dynamic youth, they also want
their MTV (or youtube as matter of fact)
Vietnam has embraced globalisation
through its membership of AFTA (1995), APEC
(1998), the US Bilateral Trade Agreement
(2001) and WTO (2007).
17
19. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
sustainable growth ? 沿姻看恢温恢鉛霞
Saving rates have spiraled from 5% to 35%.
Lots of native investment. The Vietnamese are
now taking control of their nation.
Managed costs by default : Ten years
ago, Vietnams manufacturing wage cost
represented 95% of that of Chinas.
Today, that figure is about 65%, as growth has
forced Chinese wages up.
Unlike neighbors: Political stability. Industrious
nation. Investment in education.
The model of growth is very Singaporean
19
21. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
a few d辿j vu road blocks
Infrastructure: The Government has
committed 10% of GDP to infrastructure but
this will not be enough
Everything is in need of total rehaul: airports /
train / road / power / telecom / even
complete cities. Investment and upgrades
cant cope with demand. Sectors need to
be liberalized to bring more private
investment
SOE. Like in China they once were the
backbone of the Nation. They still represent
30% of GDP. SOE financing and NPL remain
a dark cloud
21
23. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
how do I sell and get my money (safely)?
You dont !
Like in most developing nations, payments
and financing are an issue. There are no
magic formula for this thorn
Suggestions: some home banks have co-
financing schemes, use agents (but their risk-
carrying has a cost!), take your time and do
your homework
Lots of suspicion with foreigners in and out for
quick dirty deals (their time is now over).
Good news, if you sell expensive
machinery, your clients are likely to be
Singaporeans
23
25. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
is job-hopping a national sport?
The rule of supply and demand works the
same in VN. Right now there is lots of
demand. Expect staff attrition a la Shanghai
Successful companies that have been able to
sustain growth without HR issues hindering
along the way have staffed key positions with
1/3 expats, 1/3 Vietkhieu, 2/3 locals and
provided all with First World opportunities as
opposed to working in a Third World
environment.
Wage inflation has shoot up and will continue.
Current meltdown brings reality back, but
reality will fade away fast.
25
27. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
do I still need expats in Vietnam ?
Most likely yes. Especially for two positions:
Leadership and Financial Controller
Very small local pool of expats
Warning: few expat families survive the
country. Families break, contracts are cut
short, expensive relocations. A previous Asian
experience does not warrant success in VN. A
tough emerging nation experience is
probably best.
Vietkhieu are more welcome now than in the
past. Employing overseas Vietnamese will
deliver either the best or the worst.
27
29. Where is Vietnam going from here?
here ?
Damien Duhamel
VN is (still) hot, dont get burned
Dont think they dont know or wont know
Dont go in for a quick buck. It will be quick-burn
Work as diligently as you would elsewhere. Once
you cross to the Dark Side, you are in quick sands
The ATM syndrome. If you start to bribe, you will
never stop
GDP growth does not equate to earnings growth
Look for growth and returns in three years ++
Learn to navigate the red tape and
bureaucracy, there is no escape
Integrate CSR into your strategy. The authorities
are sensitive to it.
29
30. Where is Vietnam going from here?
Damien Duhamel
C叩m 嘆n q炭i vi rh但t
damien@solidiance.com
Solidiance is a marketing strategy consulting firm with focus on growth in Asia Pacific. We are devoted to working side-by-side with our clients to outpace the competition, close gaps
in growth and deliver breakthroughs in performance and profitability. Our Asia focus provides our clients with a better understanding of intrinsic Asia and regional issues.
To subscribe to further white papers and to learn more about Solidiance please visit: www.solidiance.com
China Singapore
Suite 801 Suite 17-01
Hong Kong Plaza High Street Center
283 Huaihai Road Central 1 North Bridge Road
Shanghai 200021 Singapore 179094
Tel: +86 21 5168 8905 Tel: +65 6408 8208
asia@solidiance.com asia@solidiance.com
30
31. VIETNAM
MARKET ACCESS AND LEGAL
CHALLENGES
Eurochamber Breakfast Club
Nov 12 2008
Shanghai
Seck Yee Chung
Baker & McKenzie International is a Swiss Verein with member law firms around the world. In accordance with the common terminology used in
professional service organizations, reference to a partner means a person who is a partner, or equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference
to an office means an office of any such law firm.
32. CONTENT
What is keeping us busy?
Why?
What are the legal challenges?
息2008 Baker & McKenzie 32
33. WHAT IS KEEPING US BUSY?
Market access: FDI; M&A; rep offices
WTO; trade and distribution
Pharma and health care
Cosmetics
Multi-Level Sales (MLS)
Property; casino
ITC; online activities
Labor
Customs and tax
Compliance and dispute resolution
Banking
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)?
息2008 Baker & McKenzie 33
34. WHY?
Business does not sleep
Geo-political stability; insulated
Export; natural resources
Growth - mid to long term
Manufacturing; industrial products
Consumer products
Foreign investment; M&A
息2008 Baker & McKenzie 34
35. WHAT ARE THE LEGAL
CHALLENGES?
Rep office; Chief rep; PIT
Investment Certificate; lease; translation
M&A: foreign/local; private/OTC; 51%; management
WTO compliance: Import vs distribution; warehousing;
retail and Economic Needs Test (ENT)
Customs; import valuation; automatic import license
Selling pharmaceuticals
Court and enforcement
息2008 Baker & McKenzie 35
36. Standard Chartered Banks Success
A case study
Simon Taylor
Baker & McKenzie International is a Swiss Verein with member law firms around the world. In accordance with the common terminology used in
professional service organizations, reference to a partner means a person who is a partner, or equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference
to an office means an office of any such law firm.
37. The Deal
Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) buying shares
and convertible bonds in Asia Commercial Bank
(ACB) from the International Finance
Corporation (IFC)
Took stake from just over 7% to 15%
息2008 Baker & McKenzie 37
38. The Players
SCB: Two branches and now a subsidiary in Vietnam;
long-term investment as strategic investor in ACB
IFC: Active role in Vietnam; but keen to exit ACB
ACB: Largest listed bank; supportive of transaction
SBV: Banking regulator
SSC: Stock market regulator
HASTC: Exchange
息2008 Baker & McKenzie 38
39. The Issues
Trading outside price trading band for listed
shares
Unclear regulatory approval requirements
Sensitive industry
息2008 Baker & McKenzie 39
40. The Solutions
SSC/HASTC approval for one-off trading
mechanism
Communication with SBV to clarify regulatory
approvals
Involvement of ACB in process
息2008 Baker & McKenzie 40
41. The Lessons
Be patient; plan for problems
Maintain and utilize relationship with all key
players
息2008 Baker & McKenzie 41
42. THANK YOU
BAKER & McKENZIE
12th Floor, Saigon Tower
29 Le Duan, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: 848 3829 5585
Fax: 848 3829 5618
Yeechung.seck@bakernet.com
息2008 Baker & McKenzie 42