As stated by a representative of the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), in this first turn, more than one million subscribers possessing the prefix 0124 will have their number changed to 084. Despite its positive result in the experimental phase, along with well-prepared technical solutions, in order to ensure a smooth convert, the company still mobilized nearly 300 technicians in 63 provinces and cities nationwide to cooperate in this task. At the moment, any subscribers with the prefix 0124 (now changed to 084) are able to make phone calls and send messages to others in the same or other networks. These users need neither to change their SIM card nor re-register their personal information. The money in their account remains unchanged, and they do not have to do anything, but let VNPT carry out all necessary actions. To quickly update and synchronize the contact book, customers of VNPT are suggested to wait until after October 7, 2018 when all network providers … [Read more...] about First turn of mobile phone number conversion successfully taken
Vietnam mobile phone prices
MNP opens doors to ‘sniping’ mobile subscribers
Mobile number portability (MNP) will create a new battlefield for domestic mobile operators from as early as 2019, putting even more emphasis on service quality and network stability. Customers may be able to change operators through MNP as early as next year Half a year to wait Nearly eight years after the first proposal of carrying out mobile number portability, subscribers currently have to wait at least six months to be able to switch operators. Despite the fact that the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC)’s Circular No.35/2017/TT-BTTTT about shifting from current mobile network to MNP has officially come into effect, the shift has not been carried out. The shift to MNP has been temporarily halted because MoIC has ordered all domestic mobile operators to transfer subscribers’ phone number from 11 to 10 digits between September 15, 2018 and June 30, 2019. MNP enables mobile phone users to retain their phone numbers while changing from one … [Read more...] about MNP opens doors to ‘sniping’ mobile subscribers
First mid price Vsmart products to be launched next year
Vingroup expects to launch its Vsmart smart phones brand next year and distribute them in all mobile phone distribution channels, including the Vinmart + chain. Vingroup is gathering heavy support by developing electronics and cars that Vietnamese people can call their own Vingroup started to study the project to manufacture mobile phones under the Vsmart brand months ago. It has also worked with consultancy firms to build the manufacturing plans as well as models. Besides, the group has negotiated with partners to buy design copyrights, manufacturing lines, and components for Vsmart products. Nguyen Viet Quang, vice president cum CEO of Vingroup, shared that Vsmart products will target the mid-price segment. Vingroup will try to increase the localisation rate for Vsmart products via co-operating with both foreign and local partners to manufacture common components and accessories in the country. Vingroup will buy key components which are not produced by local manufacturers … [Read more...] about First mid price Vsmart products to be launched next year
Facebook selling user data—this time to mobile manufacturers
Hot on the heels of Facebook’s data leak in March, the social network is once again in hot water for sharing user data with mobile manufacturers, including Chinese brands that hold large market shares in Vietnam such as Huawei, Oppo, Xiaomi, and TCL, and even global brands like Samsung, Apple, Blackberry, and Amazon. Facebook admitted to co-operate with four Chinese mobile manufacturers Facebook may have made unspoken deals with many mobile manufacturers. Photo: AFP The New York Times reported that on June 5, Facebook admitted to strike deals with four Chinese mobile giants, Oppo, Huawei, Xiaomi, and TCL. Accordingly, the deal between Facebook and Huawei has been going since 2010, while the deals with other mobile manufacturers could have been going for similar durations. Facebook’s representative also said that its partnership with four Chinese brands remains effective, but the social network will soon cancel the deal with Huawei. This particular round of … [Read more...] about Facebook selling user data—this time to mobile manufacturers
Chinese smart phone manufacturers make headways in Vietnam
The arrival of China-based mobile manufacturers, including Oppo, Huawei, Xiaomi, and Vivo into the mid-end smart phone market in Vietnam has made giants like Sony and Microsoft to withdraw from the market. Mi Store - Xiaomi's official online shopping website in Vietnam With the price of VND5-10 million ($220-440) as well as eye-catching marketing strategies, Chinese smartphones have quickly gained foothold in the Vietnamese market by targeting young people who want to experience new technologies, take photos, and surf social networks—and are on a budget. Latest data released by market research company IDC shows that Samsung still leads the Vietnamese smartphone market with 32 per cent, followed by China-based Oppo with 24 per cent. “Tenderfoot” Xiaomi and giant Apple rank at the third position, each with 7 per cent. After entering Vietnam over one year ago, Xiaomi’s strategy of flogging phones at reasonable prices has paid off as it now occupies … [Read more...] about Chinese smart phone manufacturers make headways in Vietnam
Mobile World denies closing thegioididong stores
Mobile World Group (MWG)’s announcement of closing of seven mobile stores this year took the market by surprise as this was the first time Mobile World had reneged on its aggressive expansion strategy. However, a company representative clarified that the affected units were transferred to the Dien May Xanh chain instead of being closed. In the race against e-commerce, Mobile World's store network takes up a lot of resources. Photo: thegioididong.com vnreview.vn quoted Dang Thanh Phong, Mobile World’s marketing and communications director , said: “We transferred some thegioididong stores to Dien May Xanh to expand the household electronic appliance business (refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners). No shops have been closed by MWG.” The firm’s financial report stated that during this year’s first four months, the number of thegioididong stores dropped from 1,072 to 1,065. The total revenue from the chain of mobile stores was … [Read more...] about Mobile World denies closing thegioididong stores
Vietnamese exports to Africa face price challenges
Processing aquatic products for exports (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese exports to Africa have faced price-related challenges as they have to compete with other African nations in terms of import tax, given the fact there is no free trade agreement or preferential trade agreement between Vietnam and regional countries. According to the Vietnamese Commercial Affairs Office in South Africa, 44 African nations officially sealed a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) agreement during the tenth extraordinary session of the African Union (AU) in Kigali, Rwanda, last March. The deal will come into force within 180 days after at least 22 countries approve it. The agreement has given birth to the world’s largest free trade area in terms of the number of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organisation in 1948. It can create a single market with a population of 1.2 billion and GDP of 2.5 trillion USD. Under the pact, the signatories … [Read more...] about Vietnamese exports to Africa face price challenges
Vietnam-France bilateral trade enjoys continuous growth
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Bilateral trade between Vietnam and France have seen positive growth, with Vietnam having enjoyed continuous trade surplus since 2010, reported the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In 2017, the two-way trade value exceeded 4.6 billion USD, up 11.6 percent from 2016. The figure included 3.3 billion USD worth of Vietnamese exports to France and 1.3 billion USD worth of imports from the European country, both increasing by over 11 percent year on year. Vietnam’s key export staples to France include footwear, garments and textiles, household appliances, agro-forestry-aquatic products, gemstones, jewelries, electricity devices, electronics, mechanic tools, pottery, rubber, coal, plastic products and rattan and bamboo handicrafts. Last year, Vietnam exported 1.13 billion USD worth of mobile phones and components to France, earning the products first position in the list of exports to the European nation for the seventh year in a … [Read more...] about Vietnam-France bilateral trade enjoys continuous growth
Vietnamobile – the little giant of Vietnam’s mobile telecom market
Vietnamobile, the country’s fourth-largest mobile operator, is making a stunning comeback after spending two years flying under the radar by launching a new product that offers free, unlimited data to subscribers. The company’s ultimate vision, its general director Elizabete Fong says, is to give customers “Unbelievable Freedom” in enjoying their mobile and digital lifestyle. “Groundbreaking,” “disruptive” and “unbelievable” was among the Hong Kong-born excutives favorite adjectives while discussing Vietnamobile’s new ‘Thanh SIM’ during an exclusive interview with Tuoi Tre News on Tuesday. A data-centric world “Since the start of 3G, the whole market has evolved to become more data-centric,” she said, stressing that data is becoming a game-changer for Vietnam’s “very young” telecom market. “Over 50% [of the population] is below 35 years old and we’ve … [Read more...] about Vietnamobile – the little giant of Vietnam’s mobile telecom market
iPhone X orders weak globally, but strong in Vietnam
JP Morgan commented that high-end smartphones are hitting a plateau this year, while an expert from Wall Street said the sales of pricey smartphones have dropped because of the saturation in the smartphone market. In Vietnam, iPhone X is in high demand and sales are going very well. In many cases, buyers cannot get deliveries promptly, but have to place orders and receive them later. Genuine iPhone X products have been available in Vietnam since December 8, 2017. The owner of a mobile phone shop on Thai Ha street in Hanoi confirmed that iPhone X is among the three bestsellers in the last three months despite its high price. “In general, all Apple’s products are welcomed by Vietnamese,” he said, adding that Apple’s iPhone means ‘good’ and ‘expensive’. The iPhone X with white cover is the best seller at his shop. He mostly sells products carried to Vietnam across the border gates, priced at around VND25 million. However, … [Read more...] about iPhone X orders weak globally, but strong in Vietnam