Vietnam’s successful pandemic response and export led growth model have accelerated its levels of productivity and kept supply chains moving with limited disruption. Yet, choosing to move operations to Vietnam is not without its share of challenges. Manufacturers must plan how to realign their supply chains and which production elements to relocate, among other factors. In this issue of Vietnam Briefing, we look at ways to plan your relocation as well as market entry options in Vietnam. We then look at procedures for setting up operations and geographic considerations for specific industries. We conclude with the status of Vietnam’s labor market and workforce optimization strategies.

Vietnam’s successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recently ratified Vietnam EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has reassured investors. Upbeat manufacturers have even relocated production to the country. In this context, it is important to understand Vietnam’s vast key economic regions tailored to specific industries – providing special incentives, cost structures, and clear regulatory frameworks. In this issue of Vietnam Briefing magazine, we look at the Southern Key Economic Region and the reasons why it is termed as an investment hub of the country.

Vietnam continues to showcase strong growth patterns despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, leading investors to favorably consider the country as an ideal location for new investment. In this context, it is important to understand the prevailing office types and structures in the country. For foreign businesses looking to enter Vietnam, the representative office (RO) structure is a popular vehicle for investment due to a variety of factors. In this issue of Vietnam Briefing magazine, we look at how to establish an RO, the viability of RO operations, and tax obligations involved with dissolving an RO.

The start of 2020 began with COVID-19, restricting travel, disrupting global supply chains, and causing large scale unemployment due to significant losses incurred by global businesses. Nevertheless, Vietnam has also been one of the few countries that achieved net positive growth during the pandemic. In this issue of Vietnam Briefing, we look at Vietnam’s management of the pandemic and key incentives from the government to attract and sustain foreign investment and aid business recovery. We conclude by assessing the growth of new investment opportunities that have been shaped by the pandemic crisis.

Vietnam’s supply chains have significantly evolved from how they were a decade ago. Today, supply chain shifts to Vietnam are ongoing, helped in some part by the US-China trade war, as a growing number of businesses seek out ASEAN or alternate markets to invest in. In this issue of Vietnam Briefing magazine, we look at ways to plan supply chain shifts while using Vietnam as a China plus one investment destination. We then look at the status of Vietnam’s supply chains and how they are developing as manufacturing in the country matures.

Seven years since joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), Vietnam remains committed to integrating further into the world economy. It is in this context that mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become an increasingly popular investment route. With an M&A, investors can enjoy preexisting access to customers, suppliers, and distribution channels. In this issue of Vietnam Briefing magazine, we look at the legal foundation for M&As including the basic laws that govern M&A activity. We then look at the legal and financial aspects of the M&A process including the due diligence process that goes into an M&A. We conclude with step by step procedures for M&As and post-merger considerations.

Da Nang has emerged as an attractive investment destination for domestic and international investors, followed only by the capital Hanoi and commercial hub Ho Chi Minh City. In this issue of Vietnam Briefing magazine, we examine the central city of Da Nang and its investment opportunities. We first highlight its business environment and growth drivers, before exploring the city’s incentives and industrial parks. We conclude with an overview of the sectors that are attracting investment, describing the scope for investors that are looking to invest in this region.

Vietnam has followed an export-led growth model, combining trade liberalization and policies to attract foreign direct investment to spur exports. This has allowed Vietnam to accelerate growth in recent years, emerging as a clear leader in low-cost manufacturing and sourcing. In this issue of Vietnam Briefing magazine, we examine Vietnam’s import and export landscape and the top sectors for trade. We then look at import and export procedures, including business models, duties, exemptions, and tax rates that traders need to be aware of.

Vietnam’s economy continues to perform well, sustained by ongoing domestic reforms, a stable government, and the diversification of foreign direct investment in the country. With such growth, it makes sense that new market entrants see Vietnam as a good opportunity to establish in Asia or diversify their regional presence. In this issue of Vietnam Briefing magazine, we detail company structures in Vietnam and outline the most efficient structure for foreign businesses that seek to take advantage of the country’s investment climate.

In this issue of Vietnam briefing magazine, we discuss current trends in Vietnam’s consumer goods market. We highlight opportunities for new market entrants, analyze best fit distribution models for varying stages of commitment, and review the processes required to find an effective local partners to fill gaps in marketing or distribution.

In this issue of Vietnam Briefing magazine, we discuss the growing popularity of China plus one manufacturing. We highlight market entry strategies available to investors, analyze the differences between these locations, and finally highlight the important role that rules of origin play for companies that are seeking to tap into Vietnam’s world-class network of trade agreements.

Vietnam's labor force is one of the major drivers of foreign investment in Vietnam. In this issue of Vietnam Briefing, we highlight the opportunities and challenges in the labor market – in areas such as productivity, wages, quality, and regional variations – so that companies can make informed decisions and optimize their hiring strategies based on their location. We also focus on middle level managers, who play a crucial role in an organization and are one of the major challenges for employers in terms of turnover.