Bright futures eligibility

As BNPL allows consumers to spread the cost over multiple instalments and attracts those who cannot, or would not, purchase goods or services by paying the price in full, these conditions create the ideal opportunity for BNPL service providers. Bui Ngoc Hong-Partner, LNT & Partners Despite the opportunity, the BNPL landscape in Vietnam remains slow-moving. This is partly due to the fact that Vietnam does not have a clear legal framework regulating the method. Even the sandbox scheme for fintech activities still remains in the legislative pipeline. In addition, even if a BNPL platform owner cooperates with traditional bank lenders, the parties need to deal with a significant gap between the strict regulatory web the traditional lenders are subject to, and the fintech providers’ need to “move fast and break things”. For those reasons, BNPL ventures find it hard to enter the Vietnamese market, unless they are equipped with suitable investment structures. In BNPL … [Read more...] about Clearing the way to legal support for BNPL services

According to an update on Global M&A Industry Trend conducted by PwC, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and healthcare services continue to attract high levels of investor interest, and this trend will continue through the rest of the year. Ngo Thanh Hai and Nguyen Dieu Quynh from LNT & Partners There are three main reasons that M&As in pharmaceuticals could still be the future trend in Vietnam. Firstly, in the face of growing demand and rapid technological innovation, pharmaceutical companies must continuously improve and develop their research and development departments before their patents expire. Therefore, they will be ambitious to acquire smaller companies with existing conditions. Secondly, to expand the business in Vietnam, the investors will need to consider opening a manufacturing plant or acquiring a current plant from domestic companies. Under World Trade Organization commitments, foreign investors can import but cannot distribute drugs to the … [Read more...] about Are M&As still a top trend in the pharma market?

The central bank’s flexible management of monetary policy and the return of capital into markets around the world would have positive impacts on Vietnam’s market. Foreign investors sway back to the local stock market amid Vietnam’s bright economic outlook in the long term, according to a report from the SSI Securities Corporation. An investor at a securities company in Hanoi. File photo In July, Vietnam’s stock market witnessed a net outflow of VND347 billion (US$14.8 million) following a net inflow of VND8.37 trillion ($358 million) during the first six months of the year. Active funds also pulled a net amount of VND163 billion ($7 million) in July after two months of buying in. Among the lot, VFM VNDiamond withdrew VND522 billion ($22.3 million) in July after buying in a net amount of VND5.6 trillion ($239.4 million) in the first half, VanEck with VND300 billion ($12.8 million), and VFM VN30 with VND120 billion ($5.13 million). On the contrary, Fubon … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s positive outlook lures foreign investors back to stock market

“Thanks to the effective pandemic response and guided by the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and its Implementation Plan, we have emerged safer, stronger, and more resilient as a community,” he said at the event, held by the ASEAN Secretariat at its headquarters in Jakarta to mark ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary. ASEAN trade volumes have returned to pre-pandemic levels and the association’s economy is forecast to grow by 4.9% this year and 5.2% next year. “The entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) earlier this year demonstrates ASEAN’s pivotal role in contributing to regional peace and growth, bettering the life of our people, and providing opportunities for all.” According to the Secretary General, in spite of these achievements, ASEAN must remain vigilant against the ever present risks to its recovery, including disruptions to the supply of key commodities, rising costs in food and logistics, and the economic slowdown in … [Read more...] about 55th ASEAN Day Celebration solemnly held

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son addresses the ceremony (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son made a speech at the ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony in Hanoi on August 8 on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the regional grouping. Following is the full text of his speech. Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to the ASEAN Flag-Hoisting Ceremony today to mark the 55th founding anniversary of ASEAN. I am also happy to see all of you, healthy and safe after two years of COVID-19 outbreak. The ceremony this morning brings me back to the solemn moment as the ASEAN Flag was hoisted high amidst the stirring ASEAN Anthem at the very successful 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh last week. Standing before the ASEAN Flag, we are truly proud of what we all have achieved in pursuing the aspirations of nearly 700 million Southeast Asian people for an ASEAN Community of peace, solidarity, resilience and … [Read more...] about FM Bui Thanh Son’s remarks at ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony

Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced new terms and conditions for tourist visa application given a low number of COVID-19 infections in the Southeast Asian country. Myanmar resumed its commercial flight services in April after more than two years of suspension due to the pandemic. Under the new guidelines, tourists are required to provide proof of full vaccinations , a colour photo that was taken within three months and a passport that is valid for six months to their visa application. As per the new terms and conditions, a visa applicant, who has children aged under 7 on the same passport, is required to put the child's name and birth date in the minor section of the application form. Only passport holders are eligible for the visa application, and all applicants should abide by Myanmar's laws and not interfere in the internal affairs of Myanmar, the ministry's statement said. Currently, tourist … [Read more...] about Myanmar issues new guidelines for tourist visa application

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son wrote an article entitled ’55 years of ASEAN: One Vision, One Identity, One Community’ on the 55th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (August 8, 1967-2022). Following is the full text of the article: “On August 8, 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established, initiating the process of extensive integration for the sake of peace, stability, and development in Southeast Asia and the region. From a group of Southeast Asian nations divided by wars, after 55 years of growth, ASEAN is today one of the most important, reputable, and successful regional organisations in the world, a ‘common home’ for 650 million people in 10 Southeast Asian countries with diverse culture, the fifth largest economic community in the world, and an important and reliable partner of many countries in the world, and an organisation that … [Read more...] about 55 years of ASEAN: One Vision, One Identity, One Community

Syngenta specialises in providing agro-pharmaceutical products, plant protection solutions and seeds, and is trusted by millions of farmers. — Photo coutersy of Syngenta Syngenta Vietnam, a leading science-based agri-tech company, has just joined HSBC Vietnam's green journey by placing their very first green deposit with the bank. This transaction will enable Syngenta Vietnam’s surplus money to be invested in sustainable and green projects and businesses, in line with the company’s global sustainability development strategy. HSBC’s green deposit programme, the first of its kind in Viet Nam, is a channel to mobilise green funds from the bank’s corporate customers, investing them in environmentally friendly projects and initiatives, while ensuring a stable and predictable return. Green deposits are used for the green financing, which is aligned with the HSBC Green Bond Framework and Green Loan Principles, under eligible green project themes (Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, … [Read more...] about Syngenta Vietnam joins HSBC’s green capital mobilisation

Speaking at the event, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Youth Federation Central Committee Nguyen Hai Minh called on youths and local people to join the “Footsteps for the community” program to raise fund for the construction of the communal house. He emphasized that participating in the event will not only help raise public health, but also uphold and promote the communal tradition of ethnic minority groups. The sixth stage of the “Footsteps for the community” program will take place from August 6 to 28 in 63 provinces and cities across the country. The program targets to mobilize at least 1 million km of walking/running, equivalent to a donation of VND 1 billion, to support the building of a communal house for the Mang ethnic people in Nam Pi commune, Nam Nhun district. The program is a practical and significant activity for the Vietnamese youths to contribute their part to raising the material and spiritual life of ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. On the occasion, the … [Read more...] about Communal house built for Mang ethnic people

General Department of Vietnam Customs’ data showed that the bilateral trade reached US$1.03 billion in the first four months of 2022 (up 15 percent from the same period of 2021), including US$689.13 million worth of Vietnamese exports (up 19.2 percent) and US$342.16 million worth of Vietnamese imports (up 7.3 percent). Tra fish exports are projected to surge by a whopping 97 percent year-on-year in the first five months of 2022, reaching US$1.1 billion Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy, Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden, concurrently in Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Latvia, said Nordic enterprises generally bought Japonica rice from Spain, Italy, Japan and the US, and were excited to discover they could import a similar product with similar quality from Vietnam at a one-third to one half less. Foreign trade accounts for 50-60 percent of the Nordic bloc’s gross domestic product (GDP). Despite their small population, Nordic countries made an impressive import value … [Read more...] about Vietnamese exports to Nordic markets thrive