Transportation Costs and Risk Exposure

Da Nang Hi-tech Park is the only high-tech park in the Central and Highlands of Vietnam. The Da Nang high-tech Park has gradually attracted foreign investors to invest and set up company, factory in Da Nang, especially in the area of high-tech because of its advantages in location, environment, government policy, and local resources.      

In terms of geographical location, the High-Tech Park is planned in Da Nang, a key economic region of the Central and Highlands region, where there is a modern, synchronized technical infrastructure system, and a fiber optic cable station on SE- ME-WE that are three connects telecommunication lines with international and human resource training system is abundant and diverse. In addition, the High-Tech Park has a convenient location on the air route to Da Nang International Airport – one of Vietnam’s international airports. About waterways, Da Nang is a coastal city of Vietnam, with large seaport systems such as Tien Sa and Lien Chieu ports to help trade goods with many countries in the region and around the world. In addition, Da Nang High-Tech Park is located on the arterial traffic route of Vietnam, convenient for connecting with surrounding industrial parks and urban areas.

In addition, the High-Tech Park is located in a rich natural landscape area, clean natural environment, close to resorts and eco-tourism such as Da Nang, this is the ideal environment for the formation of an eco-hi-tech urban area, giving investors, scientists and workers a convenient and comfortable living and working environment.

In addition, the Hi-Tech Park is located in Da Nang City, which has a strategic location, transparent and open investment environment, modern infrastructure, friendly living environment and human resources is abundant, the political stability, these are considered to be prerequisites for investors to be able to invest in the safely and effectively way.

Moreover, in recent years, Da Nang has continuously had effective policies to attract investment, attract FDI in the high-tech sector towards building a smart city, so the case many investors are investing in the Hi-Tech Park will help the city accomplish its development goals soon. Therefore, Da Nang always has the highest preferential policy in the country in attracting investment in high-tech parks and low investment costs, in addition, Da Nang’s management agencies have always implemented reforms the administrative procedure, shorten time for investors when investing in here.

With the advantages of geographical location as well as supporting policies, attracting investment, Da Nang High-Tech Park is gradually becoming an investment destination of investors in the future, for setting up business in Vietnam.

Many foreign investors have once again affirmed the attractiveness of Vietnam as an investment destination.

It is no coincidence that the Vietnam Intensive Online Conference, recently held within the framework of Standard Chartered Bank’s ASEAN-focused investment attraction series, took the theme “Vietnam – Rising star”.

A survey showed that 38% of enterprises surveyed said that they would consider expanding their supply chain in Vietnam. This is the highest rate among ASEAN countries.

With strong fundamentals such as a young, dynamic and tech-savvy population, a growing domestic market, a growing middle class and an open economy, Vietnam continues to deliver attractive investment opportunities. However, it is equally important to manage risk especially in understanding business partners through corporate intelligence investigation, background studying, adverse media search.

Many multinational corporations have been interested in establishing business investments in Vietnam in order to take advantage of the close geographical distance and the ability to connect with ASEAN to promote business activities.

According to data provided by the Japan Trade Promotion Organization (JETRO), more than 40% of the total of 3,500 Japanese enterprises surveyed said they were considering expanding operations in Vietnam, to set up company within the next three years.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has just been signed between the Foreign Investment Agency (Ministry of Planning and Investment) and JETRO. The agreement was awarded in the witness of Vietnam Prime Minister on September 7th 2020, confirming the great efforts of both the Foreign Investment Agency and JETRO in implementing measures to promote Japanese investment in Vietnam.

Profitable investment is the legitimate aim of every investor. However, to be able to make an overall assessment of an enterprise that investors can trust is really a difficult choice. Especially for foreign investors who do not have much experience in the Vietnam market whom wish to enter Vietnam market for making investment through M&A. It is very important for the foreign investors to undertake the research for the reputation of the company and each shareholders being corporate or individual, obtain public information of the company, and key personnel under take brief due diligence to access potential risks for cooperation.

According to the data reported as of March 20, 2021 by the Foreign Investment Department (Ministry of Planning and Investment), the total foreign investment capital registered for new, adjusted and contributed capital, purchased shares of investors foreign investment amounted to 10.13 billion USD, an increase of 18.5% over the same period in 2020. This data shows that the demand of foreign investors to invest in Vietnam is still gradually increasing. So, how can foreign investors choose businesses to invest with peace of mind?

In addition to choosing an enterprise with an appropriate industry and intended investment capital, the fact that that enterprise has reputable name, capability, and experience in the market in the business field is a criterion that investors should consider and can be trusted. Moreover, investors should take the time to learn information from official sources by looking up the company’s name, grasping basic information such as: owner’s name, representative, capital status, influential individual being shareholders,… and compare such to the company’s website to know if the company provides full information, images, updates on the company’s operations regularly, accurately or are not.

Many cases of “virtual” businesses taking advantage of investment needs and the lack of information about the Vietnam market have taken advantage of and defrauded foreign investors. On the other hand, the enterprise will be the one to make decisions that directly affect the investment results of the investor; therefore, the foreign investors should understand, consider and choose a reputable and safe enterprise entirely to invest capital.

In addition, what is the name and influence of that enterprise in the investment field? What is experience and enterprise performance in recent years? It is also the actual evidence that proves the capability of that enterprise. An important note for investors is that in addition to information about enterprise achievements, negative information about the company such as violations in business practice, errors in service provision, etc. causing disputes, compensation with customers is less public information and difficult to find.

In many cases, investors do not have a thorough understanding of their partners, but only decide based on virtual commitments, the display of capability beyond the capabilities of the business. From there, putting your investment capital on a risky way lead to potential unnecessary disputes with the target enterprise.

Furthermore, understanding the Vietnamese legal regulations on rights and obligations for foreign investors, although not related to the selection of enterprises to invest in, is also necessary information for investors to have projection of the problems that may arise during the process of participating in investing in the business.

After all, what investors are looking for are “clean” enterprises that have the capability to grow quickly but at the same time must be able to maintain stability and develop sustainably. However, every business environment has certain potential risks and it is the job of foreign investors to always be alert and learn exactly the information of enterprises to minimize risks potential.

Tokyo Gas (Japan) desires to invest in Vietnam, together with Vietnam partner to build LNG Cai Mep – Thi Vai port to become the most modern facility in Vietnam in this field.

On August 15th, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has met Mr Michiaki Hirose, General Manager of Tokyo Gas (Japan).

At the meeting, the Prime Minister highly appreciated Tokyo Gas’s establishment of representative office in Vietnam; he also congratulated Tokyo Gas and PV Gas (Vietnam) for jointly establishing a business operating in the field of LNG gas in Vietnam and welcomed Tokyo Gas to launch a promising cooperation program with Vietnam.

In fact, the demand for liquefied petroleum gas in Vietnam is huge, especially in cities and coastal areas, the Prime Minister believes that with good partners, environment and demand, Tokyo Gas will succeed in Vietnam. Furthermore, many Vietnamese businesses are eager to do business with Japanese companies because of their great prestige, experience and resources.

Vietnam Prime Minister affirmed that oil and gas cooperation is one of the priority areas for Vietnam and Japan’s economic cooperation, at the same time Vietnam wishes that Tokyo Gas will maintain long term business in Vietnam.

According to Mr Michiaki Hirose, Tokyo Gas will strengthen its cooperation with PV Gas in the coming time and hope that Vietnam Government will support this cooperation. He also hoped that Tokyo Gas together with Vietnamese partner will construct LNG Cai Mep – Thi Vai port to become the most modern facility in Vietnam in this field.

With Japan, Vietnam is considered as an important partner in energy cooperation, including LNG. Japan – Vietnam cooperation will create a good premise for Tokyo Gas to implement the project in Vietnam. In that process, Tokyo Gas needs support from the Government of Vietnam on mechanisms and policies.

During the volatility of the Covid-19 pandemic, the decision to invest in Vietnam became more and more interested by Japanese investors.

Since 10 years ago, many Japanese enterprises have considered Vietnam as a promising foreign investment market after China. However, the outbreak of Covid-19 has left serious consequences for the Chinese economy, when a series of the world’s no.1 supply chains in this country were broken. Many foreign investors have chosen ASEAN, including Vietnam to invest, where there is a safe political system and a stable health system, and a favorable legal corridor.

According to the report of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, as of mid-June this year, the total foreign investment capital in Vietnam reached 15.67 billion USD. Japan ranks 4th among countries with total registered capital to invest in Vietnam market. In the investment scenarios in Vietnam, finding local businesses becomes a short but effective step. Foreign investors choose potential businesses to invest in or buy back businesses. In which, Saizo is a typical example.

Saizo Japan is a prestigious brand in Japan, famous for its comprehensive range of health care products. During the scientific cooperation at the Center for Scientific Research of Vietnam, realizing the potential for development from products of natural origin, Saizo Japan planned to invest in chain technology, as well as the application of the Japanese biological science and technology background.

Saizo Japan is a prestigious brand in the country of the sun, famous for its comprehensive range of health care products. During the scientific cooperation at the Center for Scientific Research of Vietnam with Master of Science Nguyen Xuan Phu, realizing the potential for development from products of natural origin, Saizo Japan planned to invest in chain technology, as well as the application of the Japanese biological science and technology.

Da Nang is a city in the Central of Vietnam, with the advantage of being a trading place of many countries in the world. Danang has a large seaport in the top 10 large seaports of Vietnam, facilitating trading activities with many countries around the world.

At the present, Da Nang is promoting foreign investment into Da Nang, and many investors have chosen Da Nang to do business in the distribution business line. For this business line, Vietnam has committed to open up to attract 100% foreign investment. As committed, foreign-invested companies in the distribution sector will be allowed to provide commission agents, wholesalers and retailers of all products manufactured in Vietnam and legally imported products into Vietnam. Therefore, the investors can import or produce goods, then they distribute the goods in accordance with regulations.

In addition, with the increasing in the number of tourists coming to Da Nang in recent years, the demand for consumer products, fashion and other items for tourists has increased. This triggers demand that many companies to provide essential goods for tourists, and this is a great investment opportunity for investors both domestically and abroad. The investors could explore this opportunity to set up company in Da Nang and fill the market’s demand.

In addition, with many policies to support enterprises in administrative procedures, as well as management, investors can easily carry out procedures as well as manage and control their business better. Enterprises investing in Da Nang are now very satisfied with the way public services are handled in the city’s administrative procedures, therefore more and more investors are choosing Da Nang as a destination for investment when targeting in Vietnam.