BUSINESS NEWS IN VIETNAM IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF SEP2024

Vietnamese interest in iPhone 16 lower than in iPhone 15

Interest in Apple’s new iPhone 16 among Vietnamese consumers lags behind what it was in the iPhone 15, according to a survey recently released by the Vietnamese freeware web browser Coc Coc. The survey revealed that searches for ‘iPhone 15’ on its launch day last year were about 1.3 times higher than searches for ‘iPhone 16’ on its launch day, September 10. 

2024 Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum opens

Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon) is the most dynamic and largest city in Vietnam. The Fifth Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum opened in the southern metropolis on Wednesday under the theme ‘Industrial Transformation – A New Driving Force for Ho Chi Minh City’s Sustainable Development’ with the attendance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The city hoped the forum would help to determine priorities in industrial transformation, allowing it to gather resources and ensure consistent policies.

Ministry of Finance is reviewing of Personal Income Tax Laws

Given the evolving economic landscape and changes in living standards, The Ministry of Finance is conducting a comprehensive review and assessment of the Personal Income Tax Law, which includes the consideration of family circumstance deductions. Current deductions for taxpayers is VNĐ11 million per person per month and the deduction for dependents is also VNĐ4.4 million per month. These deductions levels have responded that not commensurate with living cost, especially in urban areas.

Vietnam stocks slip

Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index fell 0.04% to 1,290.92 points Friday. The index closed 0.57 points lower after gaining 4.01 points in the previous session. Trading on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange decreased by 1% to VND21.56 trillion (US$876 million).