Smart phone retailers race for market share

The mobile phone market, especially the smart phone market, will continue to witness the discounting of products as manufacturers race to introduce new products and retailers race to gain market share.
The mobile phone market, especially the smart phone market, willcontinue to witness the discounting of products as manufacturers race tointroduce new products and retailers race to gain market share.

Before the two latest smart phones were brought out by SamsungCorporation-the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge – which was available forsale in Vietnam beginning April 11, FPT Shop retail system had adjustedprices for many products by decreasing their price by between 1.1million VND (50.6 USD) and 2.7 million VND (124.2 USD).

NguyenThe Kha, deputy director of F.Studio by FPT, said fierce competitionamong retailers drove F.Studio by FPT to develop a promotional programmefor customers purchasing iPhone 5s on installment plans. Customers nowpay 5.6 million VND (257.6 USD) in advance and pay the remainder at zeropercent interest rate for six months.

The gioi di dong,another giant retailer that owns 350 retail outlets, also uses the samestrategy for its smart phones by cutting prices of Samsung Galaxy Note 4by 2.5 – 3.5 million VND (115 – 161 USD) and Samsung Galaxy Grand PrimeG530 by 800,000 VND (36.8 USD).

Vo Le Tam Thanh, marketanalyst for client device research at IDC Vietnam, said rapid pricereductions have resulted in the quickening penetration of smart phonesin Vietnam.

An IDC survey showed that 28.7 million mobile phones were shipped to Vietnam last year, 13 percent more than in 2013.

Smart phones enjoyed the highest growth, as shipments reached 11.6million units, a year-on-year growth of 57 percent, and are expected toeclipse feature phones this year.

According to an analysis ofIDC Vietnam, even though low-price smart phones are the main drivingforce for growth, consumption of high-end smart phones contributedremarkably to the turnover.

For example, 200 FPT Shop storesnationwide sold 800 Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smart phones on theday the phones went on sale.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edgeare sold for 16.59 million VND (790 USD) and 19.99 million VND (951.9USD), and the two latest smart phones brought in some 15 billion VND(690,000 USD) for FPT Shop in only one day.

Such figures have revealed the high demand among domestic consumers for new smart phones.
Contributing to the high consumption of the two new smart phones were the attractive promotions offered by FPT Shop.

The continuous release of new smart phones has resulted inincreasingly harsh competitiveness in the smart phone market, which putpressure on retailers to sell old models, while promoting and sellingnew models at the same time.

Therefore, IDC Vietnam forecast that there would be additional discounting programmes in the future.-VNA

See more

Hoa Phat Group targets first railway track products to be produced by May 2027. (Photo: Hoa Phat Group)

Private sector empowers Vietnam’s steel revolution

Steel production has transformed significantly thanks to active participation from private enterprises, which have invested big in advanced production technologies and completed steel manufacturing lines with high-capacity plants, resulting in diverse and high-quality products.

A plane takes off from Phu Quoc International Airport. (Photo: VNA)

Master planning scheme for Phu Quoc International Airport announced

CAAV Director Uong Viet Dung said that the airport upgrading project is among projects to be fast-tracked to serve the organisation of the APEC Economic Leaders' Week 2027 in Vietnam, as well as to support sustainable development of the locality and the country.

Vietnam’s durian exports to China reach only 35,000 tonnes valued at around 130 million USD in the first four months of this year. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam takes steps to address drop in durian exports to China

A report from the ministry shows that Vietnam’s durian exports to China reached only 35,000 tonnes worth around 130 million USD in the first four months of this year, equivalent to only 20% of export targets. In comparison, durian exports totalled 500 million USD in the same period last year.

Vietnamese Consul General Nguyen Thanh Tung at the event (Photo: VNA)

Sydney forum explores investment opportunities between Vietnam, Australia

Vietnamese businesses introduced their strengths and capabilities, and explored cooperation opportunities with Australian partners. Meanwhile, the Australian side expressed their interest in introducing advanced mining technologies to the country, bringing Vietnam’s high-quality building materials to the Australian market, and cooperating with Vietnamese partners to convert waste into fertiliser for agriculture and coal for steel production.

Vietnam Airlines resumes direct Hanoi–Moscow flights on May 8. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Airlines resumes direct Hanoi–Moscow flights

Vietnam Airlines will operate two flights on the Hanoi–Moscow route a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. From July 2026, the airline plans to increase the frequency to three flights per week to meet rising travel demand between the two countries.

Vietnamese delegates join the second Special ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting on negotiations for upgrading the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) on May 9. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam joins meeting on negotiations for upgrading ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement

The second Special ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting on negotiations for upgrading the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) has created a favourable foundation for the next rounds of negotiations, towards the signing of the second protocol to upgrade the ATIGA during the 47th ASEAN Summit, slated for November 2025 in Malaysia.