vietnam is now willing to

Today 43 years ago, 200k PLA troops supported by 200 tanks entered Northern Vietnam starting the Sino-Vietnamese war. There were only 70k Vietnamese troops at the border. Despite being over numbers they were able to hold back PLA forces for 27 days. Let us pay respect for their sacrifice History 76 comments 363 Posted by u/GodBlessHentai The U.S. arms embargo has been lifted and Vietnam will have access to cutting edge weapons and military technology from the United States. But it may still be a while before any sales take place. The history of Vladivostok (literally 'Ruler of the East') is from 1860 when Russia built a military harbor. But the city was Haishenwai as Chinese land, before Russia annexed it via unequal Treaty of Beijing.". This "tweet" of #Russian embassy to #China isn't so welcome on Weibo. "The history of Vladivostok (literally 'Ruler of We're guessing the answer is yes. Tim O'Brien lost some beloved people both before and during the war, and now he's trying to remember them with such clarity that they're resurrected. Even if you've never seen anyone die (or killed anyone), you should know what that's like. With a commitment to connecting singles worldwide, we bring Vietnam to you. We have the largest database of Vietnamese singles, detailed search facilities and advanced messaging system to help you find the perfect Vietnamese match you are looking for. We are committed to helping you find the perfect match, no matter where in the world you may be. Reicher Mann Sucht Frau Fürs Leben. Without a doubt, the Southeast Asian country most willing to challenge Chinese claims in the South China Sea has been Vietnam. Its government and people have long resisted China. Vietnam famously fought its most recent war against China in 1979. But what is often forgotten is that the two sides continued to intermittently fight pitched battles over the next 12 years. Though Vietnam fared well on land, it did not at sea. In 1988, China and Vietnam skirmished over then-Vietnamese-occupied Johnston South Reef in the South China Sea. When the smoke cleared, some 64 Vietnamese naval personnel were dead, and China had captured the reef. With its navy too weak and its superpower benefactor, the Soviet Union, in no mood to confront China, Vietnam could do little to reclaim its lost territory. Given such history, Vietnam has good reason to eye Chinese actions with suspicion. As a result, the growth of Chinese naval forces in the South China Sea since the early 2000s was bound to raise eyebrows in Hanoi. Vietnam recognized that China’s new capabilities would put not only its remaining outposts in the Spratly archipelago at higher risk, but also its entire coastline. If allowed uncontested control of the waters within its self-proclaimed “nine-dash line” in the South China Sea, China could not only threaten Vietnam’s offshore oil and natural gas interests, but also turn its eastern flank in a future border conflict. Hence, Hanoi responded by building a bigger and more capable navy. Vietnamese Naval Buildup Until the early 2000s, the Vietnamese navy was largely comprised of an assortment of retired warships either captured from South Vietnam or transferred from the Soviet Union. Still, it was a force not without some modern naval combat capabilities. Armed with SS-N-2 anti-ship missiles, its eight Osa II-class fast attack craft and four Tarantul-class corvettes would have constituted a reasonably credible threat to an amphibious force attempting to land at Hai Phong, the historic coastal gateway to Hanoi. After the Cold War, the Vietnamese navy sought to gain experience with submersibles, acquiring two North Korean Yugo-class midget submarines in 1997. The navy also added a handful of coastal combatants, but did so at a very slow rate. One small corvette, only 525 tons, took five years from order to completion and was the navy’s only ship to be armed with newer anti-ship cruise missiles at the time. Thus, Vietnam’s navy remained too small and too oriented toward coastal combat to effectively assert Vietnamese claims in the relatively distant Paracel and Spratly Islands. Though that situation was surely not ideal for Vietnam, it was tolerable so long as no other South China Sea claimants aggressively asserted their claims. But then China did just that, as its maritime power grew through the 2000s. Not long afterwards, Vietnam began a major naval buildup. In rapid succession, it ordered four Gepard-class frigates and eight Tarantul V-class corvettes from Russia, all of which are armed with multiple supersonic SS-N-25 anti-ship cruise missiles. In 2009, it also purchased six Russian Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines, at a cost of $2 billion or the equivalent of half its entire annual defense budget. The scale of the Vietnamese navy’s expansion has been impressive. All the navy’s submarines, four of its nine frigates, and eight of its 13 corvettes were commissioned in just the last dozen years. While little is known about the navy’s future procurement plans, at least two more Tarantul V-class corvettes are expected and two additional Gepard-class frigates are reportedly under negotiation. In the meantime, Vietnam did not neglect its coastal defenses. In 2011, it ordered two Russian K-300P Bastion-P coastal defense systems. Each system supports a mobile battery of P-800 land-based anti-ship cruise missiles. Now deployed along Vietnam’s coastline, the batteries extend the maritime space that Vietnam can defend to a depth of between 130 and 250 km out to sea. The variation in range depends on the particular flight trajectories of the missiles. If delivered in a single pulse, a salvo of eight missiles from one battery could penetrate even China’s best shipboard anti-missile defenses. At the same time, the batteries’ mobility would hinder China’s ability to suppress them with air or ballistic missile strikes. Vietnamese Naval Strategy Given its naval buildup, Hanoi appears to be preparing itself for future confrontations with China. One could see Vietnam’s acquisition of new missile-armed coastal combatants and land-based anti-ship missile batteries as a sign of that. Although such coastal defense forces are mainly intended to protect the Vietnamese coast rather than its outlying islands, they serve as a useful hedge against any escalatory action that China might take in response to being challenged at sea. Indeed, Vietnam is expected to further beef up those forces and those of its coast guard in the years ahead. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s procurement of submarines offers a strong clue as to what its maritime aim is. Submarines are critical to any modern sea control or sea denial strategy. Having acquired only six submarines so far, Vietnam is likely pursuing the latter—denying its adversary the ability to safely operate in the South China Sea. But with even that number of submarines, the Vietnamese navy can keep two of its boats on patrol at any given time. And, if tensions were to rise, it could surge the rest. No doubt they would complicate Chinese naval operations and force China’s navy to devote anti-submarine warfare resources to hunt for them. Vietnam has also hardened the defenses on the islands that it occupies in the Spratly archipelago. Soon after China accelerated the construction of military facilities in the region during the early 2010s, Vietnam followed suit. Reportedly, in 2016, it even deployed rocket launchers with sufficient range to strike nearby Chinese-held islets. If true, their role in the event of hostilities is likely to neutralize China’s airfields and radar systems on those islets, and thereby improve the odds for Vietnamese naval forces at sea. Still, the goal behind all the efforts by Vietnam to strengthen its naval posture may ultimately be to raise the cost of Chinese encroachment on its South China Sea claims. If so, it has been only partly successful. Certainly, Vietnam has not lost any more territory. Nor have Vietnamese fishermen had to endure the level of harassment that their Filipino counterparts have, at least as measured by the frequency of media reports. But China has repeatedly intruded on swaths of Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone that fall within its “nine-dash line.” In one well-reported case in 2014, China stirred up controversy when it sent the Hai Yang Shi You 981 offshore drilling rig into Vietnamese-claimed waters. Most recently, it dispatched an energy exploration ship, the Haiyang Dizhi 8, to conduct seismic surveys in one of Vietnam’s offshore energy blocks just 100 km off the Vietnamese coast in July and again in August. Unpredictable Tides Like Vietnam, the Philippines had become alarmed by China’s behavior in the South China Sea. During the presidency of Benigno Aquino III, Manila sought to create a common front with Hanoi. Initially, Vietnam was wary. It was unsure about how cooperation might impact its claims—not to mention the reliability of the Philippines as a partner, given its turbulent domestic politics and puny naval strength. But eventually, Vietnam was persuaded. In 2014, it increased its military exchanges with the Philippines and sent two of its newest Gepard-class frigates to Subic Bay to promote naval cooperation. Philippine and Vietnamese soldiers stationed in the Spratly Islands even came together once to enjoy soccer and volleyball in a show of unity. China dismissed the event, calling it “a farce.” As it turned out, Hanoi’s concerns over Philippine reliability were justified. Aquino’s successor, Rodrigo Duterte, radically altered his country’s approach toward China in 2016. Rather than challenge China, the Philippines would cooperate with it. And so Vietnam lost what it had hoped would be an ally on the South China Sea issue within ASEAN. In the meantime, China leveraged its economic ties with other ASEAN countries, like Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia, to mute regional criticism over its activities. To break free of its increasing isolation, Vietnam has bolstered its security relationships with major powers outside of Southeast Asia, including India, Japan, and the United States. In fact, Vietnam’s submariners are now trained by the Indian navy, which operates the same class of submarines.[1] Vietnam also built a maritime facility to maintain and refuel foreign warships near its Cam Ranh Bay Naval Base, which happens to be the headquarters for the portion of the Vietnamese navy responsible for the Spratly Islands. Since the facility’s opening in 2016, the vast majority of the ships that have docked there have been from countries that have expressed some sort of opposition to China’s maritime activities, including Australia and France. American and Japanese ships have visited the most. Vietnam seems “to be reminding China of just how many friends and suitors it has—and just how well it can look after their warships.”[2] Getting Some Respect For decades, Beijing and Hanoi have tussled over the waters of the South China Sea. But how China now deals with Vietnam at sea has begun to diverge from how it deals with other claimants, like the Philippines. When China sent the Haiyang Dizhi 8 into Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone, it provided the ship with a strong escort of four large coast guard vessels. Rarely does it do so when sending ships into waters claimed by the Philippines. In short, China may have come to regard Vietnam’s maritime capabilities with a measure of respect. Of course, that does not mean China has backed off on its South China Sea claims. It continues to meddle in Vietnam’s offshore energy exploration activities. In 2018, Chinese pressure forced Spain’s Repsol to halt a project off Vietnam’s southern coast, “costing the company and its partners as much as $200 million.” Then in 2019, Chinese coast guard vessels used their water cannons to hamper a Vietnamese offshore drilling rig working for Russia’s Rosneft on another project.[3] The spat is over the Ca Voi Xanh Blue Whale project, led by America’s ExxonMobil. If fully developed, the project could produce 8-9 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year and generate $20 billion in revenues for Hanoi. Even though Blue Whale’s natural gas field is clearly outside of China’s “nine-dash line,” it is close enough that China has leaned on ExxonMobil to cut its ties to the project. If Vietnam is to counter such Chinese pressure, then it will have to prove to companies, like ExxonMobil, that it can protect its offshore blocks. But, despite its bigger navy, Vietnam has struggled to close the power gap between it and China, whose own naval expansion has yet to slow. Fortunately for Vietnam, its economy has grown briskly over the last half decade. The trade war between China and the United States will likely boost it even further, as international supply chains shift from China to Vietnam. That is bound to benefit Hanoi’s coffers. Already, Vietnamese government revenues have been rising by more than ten percent a year from 2015 to 2018. Hanoi would be wise to spend a good portion of those revenues on its navy. After all, getting respect is one thing, keeping it is another. [1] Jon Grevatt, “India, Vietnam to deepen defence trade ties,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, Mar. 5, 2018. [2] “Dock and cover,” Economist, Apr. 20, 2017. [3] Spain’s Reposol tried to develop the Ca Rong Do Red Emperor oil and natural gas field in Block 07/09 and Russia’s Rosneft is developing the Lan Do Red Orchid natural gas field in Block Both blocks are off Vietnam’s southeastern coast, but within China’s “nine-dash line” in the South China Sea. Powered by continued investments in its manufacturing sector, dynamic foreign direct investment, and rising productivity, Vietnam has been a consistent outperformer in Asia. GDP has increased at a compound annual rate of 5 percent in real terms over the past 20 years, which was times faster than the global Even in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was causing deep disruption in the global economy, Vietnam posted GDP growth of The country continues battling the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and navigating through this crisis. However, consumption is expected to expand and define the future as incomes rise. Swift demographic and technological changes will result in trailblazing consumer behaviors that offer new sources of growth to companies informed and agile enough to capture them. In this article, we focus on how these trends are shaping the future of Vietnamese consumers and what companies can do to win their hearts. Vietnamese consumers enter the middle class and put midsize cities on the radar Asia is the world’s consumption growth engine miss Asia and you could miss half the global picture—a $10 trillion consumption growth opportunity over the next decade, according to recent McKinsey Global Institute research. Vietnam is well positioned to be a significant driver of the next chapter of Asia’s consumption story. Over the next decade, 36 million more consumers may join Vietnam’s consuming class, defined as consumers who spend at least $11 a day in purchasing power parity PPP This is a major change. In 2000, less than 10 percent of Vietnam’s population were members of the consuming class, which has risen to 40 percent today. By 2030, this figure may be close to 75 percent Exhibit 1. New consumption power is emerging not only from those who have entered the consuming class for the first time, but from the consuming class’s sharp rise within the income pyramid. The two highest tiers of the consuming class those spending $30 or more per day are growing the fastest and may account for 20 percent of Vietnam’s population by 2030. Urbanization is an important contributor to income growth. Vietnam’s urban population is projected to surge by 10 million over the next decade as the share of the country’s urban population rises from 37 percent in 2020 to 44 percent by Cities are likely to be Vietnam’s engine of growth, contributing roughly 90 percent of all consumption growth over the next The story of Vietnam’s urbanization has often been centered around the populous cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City HCMC, where each city is home to more than 10 million people and most of Vietnam’s middle However, our analysis finds that over the next decade, sources of urban consumption are likely to spread to smaller cities, including Can Tho, Da Nang, and Hai Phong, where the middle classes are set to grow. Five demographic shifts transforming the consuming class Although the rising consuming class and urbanization are large drivers of Vietnam’s growth, a new chapter is being written that goes beyond scale and rising incomes. Significant demographic change and the penetration of digital technologies are likely to reinforce the diversity of Vietnam’s consumer markets, prompting sometimes surprising changes in consumer preferences and behavior. To thrive in Vietnam’s consumer markets, companies will have to consider trends that reflect the country’s evolving socioeconomic realities and those that will influence consumption shrinking households, more spending by seniors, greater market participation by digital natives, economic empowerment of women, and wider geographic distribution of spending. Households are getting smaller Across Asia, households are shrinking. The size of the average Vietnamese household has decreased by around 20 percent over the past two decades, from people per household in 1999 to people per household in A large contributor of this change has been Vietnam’s declining total fertility rate, from births per woman during the 1995–2000 period to an estimated between 2015 and At the same time, new lifestyles and ways of working especially as women make continued progress in economic empowerment may lead to fewer multigenerational families living under one roof. This trend toward smaller households is reinforced by urbanization, for two reasons. Firstly, the total fertility rate in cities is even lower than in the country as a whole; for instance, the fertility rate in HCMC was around in 2020. Secondly, urban centers tend to attract young people who move away from their parents and extended families. If the experience of other Asian markets holds true in Vietnam, the declining size of households may lead to new types of demands, including smaller homes, increased ownership of pets, and new forms of entertainment. Seniors are accounting for an increasing share of consumption Vietnam remains a young country overall, with a median age of 32 in 2020. However, the number of people aged 60 and over is projected to increase by five million; seniors could account for more than 17 percent of Vietnam’s population by 2030. Spending by seniors is expected to triple in the next decade, growing at more than double the rate for the population as a whole during the same period. The expansion of relatively well-off seniors is likely to have significant impact on several sectors. For example, over the past decade, there has already been rapid growth of investments in healthcare. Local players, such as Vinmec, which runs hospitals, and Pharmacity, a retail pharmacy company founded in 2011, are growing rapidly. High-quality nursing homes are spreading, as well as assisted-living accommodations. Beyond healthcare, the housing market is seeing growth in real estate development that is increasingly focused on suburban areas where the air quality is better and there is more space for seniors and retirees. Digital natives are becoming an increasing force in Vietnam’s consumption So-called digital natives born between 1980 and 2012, including members of Generation Z and millennials, are expected to account for around 40 percent of Vietnam’s consumption by 2030. Members of this digitally savvy generation live online and on their mobiles. Almost 70 percent of Vietnam’s population in 2020 are internet users. Rapid digitization is changing the daily channels and communication methods used by Vietnamese people, particularly in e-commerce, where regional players, such as Shopee and Lazada, and local players, such as Tiki, are active. The rapid emergence of digital consumers has fueled innovation in retail and purchasing behavior. For example, local social network Zalo is among the most used applications in Vietnam, with 52 million monthly active users, and has become a significant marketing channel. An estimated 55 percent of Vietnamese Gen Zers now use TikTok, driving intense competition, as evidenced in the launch of YouTube shorts and Instagram reels. Social commerce sites, such as Mio, and live-streaming platforms are reinventing consumption methods by creating new channels that attract new and often younger shoppers to a category or a brand. These new behavioral trends have forced companies to rethink the allocation of their marketing budget. Marketers are realizing the increased importance and pervasiveness of online channels. In 2021, online ad spending is expected to hit almost $1 billion in Vietnam and to grow by about 22 percent a year until 2025. Women’s economic empowerment presents a large opportunity Vietnam has historically been ahead of other countries on women’s participation in the labor force. In 2019, Vietnam’s ratio of female-to-male labor-force participation was 88 percent, one of the highest in the Vietnamese consumers are accustomed to seeing female executives in leading roles at large Vietnamese companies, including PNJ, Sovico, Vinamilk, and Vingroup. Other forms of empowerment—including increased financial and digital inclusion, opportunities to raise skills and therefore transition into higher-income jobs, and a greater say in household purchasing decisions—could unleash even more female consumption. According to MGI research on the estimated GDP growth potential from narrowing gender gaps, women’s empowerment could add an additional $80 billion to Vietnam’s GDP in the period to 2030. The rise of the small-city and suburban consumers Consumption power has become more distributed over the past decade. While consumption had largely resided in the nation’s two major economic and financial hubs, Hanoi and HCMC, other cities are also developing into economic forces. In 2020, Hanoi and HCMC accounted for 37 percent of all Vietnamese households with income of more than $22,000 a year in 2011 PPP terms, but this share could drop to 31 percent in 2030 Exhibit 2. Our analysis notes that growth in the number of middle-class households in smaller cities and even rural areas is outpacing those in Hanoi and HCMC—a compound annual rate of about 8 percent, compared with 5 Moreover, the Mekong and Red River Deltas, densely populated but not fully urbanized, are becoming significant consumption pools, attracting the attention of consumer-goods companies and modern retailers. Behavioral shifts modernizing and diversifying the consumer environment Beyond demographic shifts, Vietnam’s consumer markets are experiencing significant changes in behaviors as incomes rise and as innovation in business models and technology accelerates. Five shifts are notable digitization’s impact on distribution channels, increasing use of consumer-facing ecosystems, a growing preference for domestic brands, greater interest in “conscious lifestyle” products, and a lessening of geographic differentiation. New channel mix In most consumer markets, traditional grocery stores are being replaced by modern stores, especially supermarkets and convenience stores larger hypermarket formats are still present but growing less rapidly. But in Vietnam, beyond the traditional narrative of retail modernization, digitization is rapidly changing the way Vietnamese shop. As in several other Asian markets, leapfrogging in two arenas are under way. First, e-commerce is developing so rapidly that it is conceivably bypassing the usual development from traditional to modern store-based retail. By 2025, e-commerce in Vietnam could be almost as large as offline modern grocery Second, traditional trade is digitizing rapidly too. Vietnam has more than 680,000 offline outlets selling basic food and fast-moving consumer goods FCMG. Local players like Telio and Vinshop are offering digital ordering and digital payments options to these traditional food and FMCG outlets. As those digital players gradually compete with traditional business-to-business B2B players such as wholesalers and cash-and-carry stores, traditional trade can become increasingly connected. The process could disintermediate traditional distributors and wholesalers, which could lead to greater efficiency. A big convergence Consumer demand is being reshaped by a “big convergence” in which digital ecosystems are aggregating many consumer needs and serving them with varying degrees of integration. At the most integrated end of the spectrum are super apps, which offer a one-stop digital shop for customers through multiple uses, functions and complementary services. As consumer-facing ecosystems have emerged and grown rapidly, players in consumer packaged goods CPGs and retail have had to rethink their stance on partnerships. There is still headroom for growth in Vietnam’s digital ecosystems. In many economies around the world, the disruption associated with the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption across categories, including in groceries, entertainment, digital healthcare, real estate, and education. This acceleration is evident in Vietnam. From online school classes to food ordering, Vietnamese consumers have increased the pace of their digital adoption and use. One study found that 41 percent of all digital consumers in Vietnam are new consumers, and 91 percent of these new consumers said they intend to continue their use of digital tools after the pandemic. Greater preference for homegrown brands Asian brands are maintaining a strong position in many consumer-facing categories across Asia, including in Vietnam. In FMCG, for instance, Asian brands increased revenue at 9 percent a year, compared with 5 percent for global non-Asian Conventional wisdom has held that the emerging middle class in Asia tends to favor buying global Western brands, but this does not hold true—or at least not in every category. Local players have built successful brands in Vietnam, including VinFast in the automotive sector and Masan, Nutifood, and Vinamilk in FMCG. Local players have also been successful in modern retail. Foreign retailers were amongst the pioneers of modern trade in Vietnam, but most of the fastest-growing brands of retail chains today are local players, such as Bach Hoa Xanh, Coop Mart, and VinMart. Conscious lifestyle choices Consumer lifestyle and behaviors that take into consideration other people, the environment, and society are often associated with more developed economies. However, surveys suggest that many Vietnamese consumers are emulating this behavior. Reusable straws and mugs in coffee shops, tote bags at supermarkets, and eco-friendly fashion brands are now common sights in cities throughout Vietnam. In one consumer survey, 91 percent of Vietnamese respondents said they were aware of and were participating in a conscious lifestyle. In contrast, 86 percent of respondents in Indonesia, 73 percent in Thailand, and 75 percent in Malaysia said the same. Notably, 84 percent of Vietnamese respondents said they were willing to pay a premium for conscious-lifestyle products. This suggests potential for premiumization in the market. Of course, what consumers say may not predict what they actually do. Indeed, there is ample evidence that willingness to pay premiums for eco-conscious products is not yet sufficient in most Asian markets. Nevertheless, Vietnamese consumers are clearly paying more attention to sustainability, social responsibility, and labor conditions, and many are willing to take action through their wallets. Less emphasis on geographic differentiation, including the traditional north–south divide Vietnam has a very distinct geography and history. It has two large cities of roughly equal size, separated by more than 1,100 kilometers. These cities are Vietnam’s largest consumption centers but have very different climates and therefore different fashion and histories, leading to significant variations in consumer behavior and preferences. Therefore, the traditional marketing approach was to deploy tailored communications to reach the specific preferences of customers in the north, south, and cities in between. Such large differences in the consumer landscape within Vietnam could be a hurdle for brands, especially those of players who are unfamiliar with local context. Paradoxically, however, while Vietnamese consumers are segmenting and diversifying, cultural differentiation by geography appears to be diminishing. Domestic travel is increasing and connecting Vietnam more than ever before. The flight route from Hanoi to HCMC is the second busiest in the world, with close to a million seats. Consumers across the country’s regions are becoming more affluent. Digital media are harmonizing brand communication; brands that have established a regional stronghold are now capturing other regional markets. In short, different parts of the country and different types of consumers are converging. A telling example of this convergence is the beer industry. In 2015, brands distributed nationally without a local stronghold had about 32 percent of economy-wide volume, with 37 percent for brands focused on the south, such as Saigon Beer, and 24 percent for northern or central-focused brands such as Hanoi Beer or Carlsberg’s portfolio. However, by 2020, the share of national brands had risen to about 40 percent, while the share of northern and central brands had Thus, even as Vietnam’s consumer market is diversifying, geographical stereotypes about Vietnamese consumers could become obsolete. Implications for companies wooing Vietnam’s consumers Vietnam’s consumer markets are changing rapidly—diversifying, modernizing, and digitizing. Companies can find considerable momentum to tap into, but to position themselves in a way that can win the hearts and minds of Vietnamese consumers, they need to answer questions about which markets to enter, how to communicate with consumers, and how to maintain a combination of localization and agility. Where to play? Companies in Vietnam need to take a broader view of where to compete than sufficed in the past. Success today requires moving beyond the two-city approach and considering new channels in light of changing technology. In more than two cities. Except in a few sectors such as high-end luxury, the era of focusing exclusively on Hanoi and HCMC is over. Competitive local consumer-facing industries are already pursuing rural consumers over a broad geographic area. Companies that have confined themselves to serving consumers in Vietnam’s two leading cities will need to broaden their approach. To reach around 50 percent of the population with incomes of more than $22,000 per year, companies typically need to plan distribution to the top 15 cities. Major retail players are seeking to capture new opportunities by investing not only in key cities but also in a broad swath of nonurban areas whose overall population is large Exhibit 3. In more than traditional channels. Companies in Vietnam also should take a flexible distribution approach to embrace the changes occurring in channel mix. Vietnam’s hybrid and fast-changing channel mix will pose challenges. Companies need to be agile in positioning themselves for a combination of a large share of fragmented traditional trade, a rapidly growing but still unpredictable online B2B sector, a constantly recomposing modern retail landscape, and relatively new e-commerce that is one of the fastest growing in Southeast Asia. In this context, competing in Vietnam requires not only the right strategy, but also capabilities in channel management, key account management, pricing, and promotions optimization. How to communicate with Vietnam’s new consumers? Businesses that succeed in Vietnam will have to upgrade their messages and channels of communication to reach today’s consumers. More often than not, this involves digital channels, as well as an awareness of new norms and values. Double down on digital engagement. Vietnamese consumers across age groups and regions are digitally connected. While online retail is just taking off, marketing and brands will need to make full use of social media, user reviews, social commerce, live streams, and online ecosystems to gain early traction. Build relatable brands with a conscience and, if possible, a local vibe. Vietnamese consumers are adopting the kind of conscious consumption that is more prevalent in economies further down their development path. To capture their attention and their wallet, companies may consider localizing brands that “fit” the new zeitgeist. Approaches that could make brands relatable include using icons and champions of local culture and designing products that focus on local heritage. To some extent, Asian rather than Vietnamese brand image and ambassadors have also sometimes proven suitable; some brands recruit Korean and Japanese ambassadors with a local audience. Importantly, adopting the norms and values of the modern, socially conscious consumer is a must. How to operate? Talent localization and agility have become critical. In the face of rapid change, companies in Vietnam will also likely need to reinvent their operating models around four axioms Recruit, train, and promote local talent. Talent management grows in importance as capabilities needed to compete become increasingly complex for example, to digitize businesses. Update the operating model. Shape an operating model that favors the speed of local innovation and personalization, in response to the fast development of Vietnamese consumers’ behavior. Reallocate resources rapidly. As conditions in the market change, companies need to move resources rapidly between product lines or distribution channels. Build the ability to enter cross-sector partnerships. In an increasingly interconnected world, such partnerships are likely to become a source of performance. In short, beyond building an effective entry strategy, companies will need to double down on forming more robust Vietnamese organizations to compete successfully. Vietnam’s dynamic consumer markets have had strong momentum for a while, and they are now becoming more complex. The consuming class is diversifying geographically, socially, demographically, and technologically. As consumers become more diverse and demanding, companies wishing to serve them will need to refine their strategy to take account not only of income levels, but also of new channels, strategy, marketing allocation, and behavior even within their established customer bases. Download the article in Vietnamese PDF-10 pages. Subscriber OnlyMarch 15, 2022, 324 AM UTCUpdated onMarch 15, 2022, 658 AM UTCVietnam is poised to welcome international travelers on Tuesday but a lack of clarity on the rules of a wider reopening while the coronavirus is still rampaging is causing remains unclear what kind of quarantine and testing rules the Southeast Asian nation will impose on foreign visitors when it reopens after a two-year closure. It doesn’t help that Vietnam has been seeing a surge, with daily cases averaging about 165,000 in the past week through March 14. ASEAN Beat Security Southeast Asia The South China Sea matters to Vietnam’s economic development, but its land borders are the key to its long-term security. The border gate between Vietnam and Laos at Lao Bao, Vietnam. Credit DepositphotosWhere should the focus of Vietnam’s national security strategy lie in an age of rising Chinese power? In 2019, Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense released a defense white paper that put much emphasis on the South China Sea SCS. Vietnam made clear that it was unhappy with China’s destabilizing behaviors in the SCS, referencing its “actions to unilaterally impose based on force disregarding international laws and militarization activities that change the status quo, violate Vietnam’s sovereignty.” The white paper also cautioned that “great-power competition is getting increasingly tense, making the East Sea [SCS] become flashpoint’ at one point, which increases the risks of conflict.”Since the 1990s, the SCS has been the focus of Vietnam’s national security strategy, with the goal of constraining Chinese expansion. Indeed, the bulk of Vietnam’s military modernization efforts since the early 2000s has focused on the navy and air force in order to boost their ability to protect the country’s maritime interests in a context of high-tech warfare and growing uncertainty in the SCS. Scholars have also noted the importance of the SCS in the overall China-Vietnam relationship and the ways in which China’s rise has shifted the regional maritime balance of power with great implications for settling the SCS disputes in a peaceful such an emphasis on the SCS as the potential flashpoint of Vietnam’s future conflicts with China is misplaced for two reasons. First, China’s rise has shifted the power balance not only at sea but also on the land. Beijing’s attempts to woo Vietnam’s neighbors, Cambodia and Laos, with economic rewards are as dangerous to Hanoi as its destabilizing actions in the SCS. Second, such an emphasis cannot explain Hanoi’s shift to maritime security in the 1990s and overstates the importance of the SCS in its long-term strategic outlook at the expense of other more important priorities, such as the alignment of Cambodia and Laos. Vietnam’s post-Cold War reorientation toward the SCS is based on the premise that its land borders are already secured. But China’s moves to win Laos and Cambodia to its side should shift its focus back generally prioritize land security over maritime security, and only after they have secured their land borders do they look to the ocean. This is simply because it is costly to build and maintain an army and a navy at the same time, especially when the rival is a peer or a more powerful state. China only began to expand its maritime capabilities in the 1980s after its land borders were secured and it became the sole great power in mainland Northeast Asia, reducing its need for a large army. Even now, China has little fear for its land security, given that most of its neighbors are much weaker. In the case of India, the Himalayas serve as a natural buffer to prevent both sides from fighting a large war that can threaten China’s survival. Thanks to the favorable power balance on the land, Beijing has shifted its focus to the maritime domain to contest the United States’ maritime same thing can be said about Vietnam. Hanoi only looked to the sea in the 1990s after it had defeated South Vietnam, resolved its border conflicts and normalized relations with China, and addressed the security threats in Laos and Cambodia in the aftermath of the Third Indochina War. Hanoi’s protests against China’s occupations of the Paracel islands in 1974 and the Johnson South Reef in 1988 were weak for a good reason it was distracted by other more pressing security threats on land and it did not have the capability to field a strong army and navy at the same prioritization of land over the sea was understandable. Compared to mainland Indochina, the SCS lacks the strategic importance that matters to Vietnam’s survival. Both the Paracel and Spratly island groups are far from Vietnam’s shore, meaning that losing them, while harmful to Vietnam’s economic interests, does not hurt Vietnam’s survival in any way. Remarkably, South Vietnam’s loss of the Paracel islands in 1974 to China did not spell its doom – the North Vietnamese army was responsible for that – while Vietnam’s loss of Johnson South Reef to China in 1988 did not threaten Hanoi’s survival as much as China’s 1979 ground both China’s and Vietnam’s land features are too small to defend in the event of war. And apart from using them as a way to assert sovereignty, those features have limited military use without external maritime surveillance capability and have little impact on freedom of navigation. On the other hand, Hanoi is fully aware of the significance of Laos and Cambodia to its survival, which has been demonstrated by its use of the Ho Chi Minh Trail to launch attacks on South Vietnam and its ambition to keep the two countries under an Indochinese Federation and out of the orbit of other rivals after key point is that China now poses a comprehensive threat to Vietnam, on both land and sea, as it presses forward with its Belt and Road Initiative and militarization of islands in the South China Sea, as well as the modernization of its navy. As a weaker power, Vietnam has little choice but to adjust its calculations accordingly and prioritize wisely. China’s occupation of SCS features claimed by Vietnam does not offer it more leverage on land. However, China’s ability to attack Vietnam on land does offer it more leverage on the sea because the stakes are much higher for Vietnam’s security. And this suggests that Vietnam should look west for its has little hope in the east; it cannot fight and win a naval war against China because the maritime balance of power is heavily skewed against it no matter how much it spends on modernizing its navy and air force in the aftermath of major purchases from Russia. It also cannot expect the to come to its defense, given that Washington has maintained its neutrality with regard to the territorial disputes in the SCS and is not bound by a treaty to defend Vietnam, as in the case of the the balance of power on land works more in Vietnam’s favor and it is this that will determine its survival. Vietnam has experience fighting major ground wars against superior enemies and has a better chance of neutralizing China’s qualitative and quantitative military advantages than at sea. The war in Ukraine has shown that a small power can forestall a large power’s attacks by employing a porcupine strategy. Instead of deploying modern military equipment, Vietnam can simply procure cheap and mass-produced weapon systems that are easy to hide and use to significantly increase the costs of Chinese ground mountainous topography of northern Vietnam and Laos should also complement Hanoi’s “porcupine” strategy. During China’s invasion in 1979, Vietnam successfully relied on militia and special operatives, who used tunnels and jungle warfare to stop Chinese assaults along the border while the regular army waited behind the front line to confront the exhausted Chinese Vietnam to successfully deter China, it needs to ensure that China does not establish any military outposts in Laos and Cambodia that allow Beijing to launch a multi-front invasion in addition to the China-Vietnam border. This explains why Hanoi is wary of China’s involvement in the refurbishment of a naval base in Cambodia and Chinese investments in debt-crippled Laos. Sri Lanka accepting to host a Chinese research vessel despite India’s objections should caution Vietnam that Beijing can similarly leverage its economic power to security ends in Laos. Vietnam thus should put more effort into courting these two countries with economic rewards and political partners in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue – the Australia, Japan, and India – should not only support its efforts to balance against China in the SCS but also in Laos and Cambodia. And the support does not have to be military. The Quad can provide economic and infrastructure support to weaken the appeal of China’s economic rewards, a task that Vietnam alone cannot achieve. Importantly, Vietnam needs to maintain good relations with China by committing to a diplomatic solution of the SCS disputes in line with international law. History has shown that if the overall Vietnam-China relationship is good, both sides will be willing to settle their disputes South China Sea surely matters to Vietnam’s economic development, but it will be Laos and Cambodia that determine its survival over the long term. And importantly, protecting Vietnam’s land security first and foremost is the best way for it to protect its sovereignty in the SCS. Continuing to balance against China at sea via naval and air force modernization is a step in the wrong direction if China increasingly poses a threat on land. Vietnam therefore needs to strengthen its army and put Laos and Cambodia back at the center of its national security strategy. A grand strategy for Vietnam should start with a simple question is Vietnam secure enough on land to expand to the sea? If China ever decides to test Vietnam on land, Hanoi should be able to pass the test, as it has successfully done so many times over the past 2,000 years. Latest updates The Health section was updated - travel health information Public Health Agency of Canada Last updated June 8, 2023 1340 ET On this page Risk level Safety and security Entry and exit requirements Health Laws and culture Natural disasters and climate Need help? Risk level Vietnam - Exercise a high degree of cautionExercise a high degree of caution in Vietnam due to high rate of petty crime. Back to top Safety and security CrimePetty crimePetty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs frequently. It’s most prevalent in larger cities and may increase during major public holidays, such as Tet Lunar New Year.Criminals work alone or in groups and may use various techniques to distract you and steal your belongings. They may try to grab your bag and other valuables while passing on a motorbike or slash your bag in crowded streets and markets. Theft is frequent in popular tourist areasIn markets, shopping centres and commercial streetson public transportation including sleeper trainsin transportation hubs such as airports and train stationsin restaurants, including patios and outdoor cafésat beaches and seaside destinationsWhile travellingensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all timeskeep a digital copy of your identity and travel documents;avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery avoid carrying large sums of cashavoid isolated areas, especially at nightpay attention to your surroundings, particularly in crowded and tourist areasbe extra cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMsViolent crimeAlthough violent crimes targeting foreigners are rarer, they may occur. In some cases, criminals have used weapons such as knives and razors. Threats of physical injury related to personal disputes also occasionally you are involved in a dispute, contact the police as soon as possibleIf you are threatened by robbers, don’t resistResidential break-insResidential break-ins occur, especially in large cities and may increase before and during the Tet holiday Lunar New Year. Burglars may target houses or apartments rented or owned by tourists and in accommodations with adequate security measures Make sure you lock doors and windows at night and when you’re awayWomen’s safetyWomen travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Sexual assault and harassment do occur, includingin beach destinationsin bars, nightclubs and entertainment districtson taxis and public transportationLocal authorities may not always respond adequately to reports of sexual violence and harassment. If you are a victim of sexual assaultseek immediate medical assistance, whether or not you appear to have been physically harmedcontact the local police and ensure they file a reportinform consular officials at the nearest Canadian embassy or consulateAdvice for women travellersFraudCredit card and ATM fraudCredit and debit card as well as ATM fraud occurs using your credit card in small establishmentsConsider using a card with a small credit limitCover the keypad with one hand when entering your PINPay careful attention when others are handling your cardsAvoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual featureUse ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or businessCheck for any unauthorized transactions on your account statementsCybercrimeCybercrime occurs. Perpetrators may compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal credit card or personal using unsecured public Wi-Fi networksAvoid making purchases on unencrypted websitesBe cautious when posting information on social mediaBe especially vigilant if you decide to meet someone you met onlineDon’t click a suspicious link in an email or text message asking for your credit card detailsAt the airportCriminals posing as taxi drivers have targeted foreign visitors at Nội Bài International Airport in Hanoi and robbed them by forcing them to withdraw money from have also been robbed by drivers who greeted them upon arrival with a placard showing their your pickup with your hotel before arrival, or use authorized airport taxisConfirm the driver’s identity and the licence plate before getting in the carGambling scamsTourists have been victims of gambling scams in Hanoi, as well as in Ho Chi Minh City, particularly in the Pham Ngu Lao scam consists of a friendly invitation sent to the victim to go to someone’s home in order to meet a relative interested in visiting Canada. While waiting for the relative, the scammers suggest a casual game of cards involving an initial small wager. Some victims have lost thousands of dollars over the course of an wary of unsolicited proposals from you’ve been scammedget to a safe location immediatelytake note, as soon as possible of the name and address of the facility where you were heldnotify the police and obtain a reportif a bank card was involved, report the scam to your banking company, which will likely request a copy of the police report to cancel the transactionOverseas fraudSpiked food and drinksSnacks, beverages, gum and cigarettes may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and wary of accepting these items from new acquaintancesNever leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangersUnregulated alcoholSome people died after consuming unregulated and adulterated rice wine due to high levels of cautious if you choose to drink alcoholOnly consume reputable alcohol brandsAvoid buying alcohol from individuals or street vendorsSeek medical assistance if you begin to feel sickAlcohol, drugs and travelDemonstrationsPublic demonstrations are rare since local authorities don’t usually authorize them. Demonstrating without authorization can lead to heavy consequences, including lengthy prison areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking placeFollow the instructions of local authoritiesMonitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrationsMass gatherings large-scale eventsInternet censorship and surveillanceWithin the Vietnamese territory, local authorities block access to severalwebsitessocial mediasearch enginesonline servicesYou shouldn’t expect internet authorities may monitor your communications at any time. They may review the content stored or consulted on your electronic devices. They may also place certain foreigners under electronic surveillance. They can search your home or hotel room without your knowledge or security while travellingJournalismForeign journalists and other media workers in Vietnam may face considerable restrictions in the context of their work. The Vietnamese government may employ measures such asphysical and electronic surveillancedelaying or refusing renewals of press cards and visasintimidation and harassmentBe particularly vigilant if researching or reporting on subjects critical of or sensitive to the and war remnantsLandmines and unexploded ordnance still pose a serious risk in several areas, particularlyin the province of Quảng Trịalong the border with Laosin North and Central VietnamUnmarked minefields are common. If you plan travelling outside of major tourist destinationspay attention to signs indicating the possible presence of landminesremain on paved roadsavoid open fields, roadside ditches, shoulders and unmarked trailsreport any suspicious items to local authoritiesAdventure tourismOutdoor activities, such as trekking, zip-lining, rock climbing, speleology, or parasailing and other adventure activities can be dangerous if unprepared. Trails are not always marked, and weather conditions can change rapidly, especially during the rainy operators may not always adhere to international safety you intend to practice adventure tourismnever do so alone, and do not part with your expedition companionsconsider hiring an experienced guide from a reputable company obtain detailed information on your activity and on the environment in which you will be setting out buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity avoid venturing off marked trails ensure that you’re adequately equipped and bring sufficient water stay informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard refrain from using facilities or equipment if you have doubts on their safety inform a family member or friend of your itinerary Water activitiesTidal changes and strong winds can cause hazardous currents and and divingBeaches are not always sea urchins, jellyfish and other aquatic life found along reefs may be poisonous. A sting to the touch can cause poisoning or you plan to divechoose a reputable company always respect warning flags advising of dangerous conditionsask about the presence of dangerous speciesseek immediate medical attention in case of injury;wear swimming shoes to protect yourself from reefs, rocks, corals or sea urchins;keep a safe distance from boats and restricted areasavoid beaches or coastal areas during periods of severe weather warningsavoid diving into unknown waters, as hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or deathfollow the advice of the local authoritiesBoatingBoat accidents have occurred due to the overloading and poor maintenance of some vessels, including in Ha Long a reputable boating companyEnsure that your tour operator follows up-to-date safety regulationsDon’t board vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthyWater safety abroadPiracyAlthough rare in Vietnam, pirates commit attacks and armed robbery against ships in coastal piracy report - International Maritime BureauRoad safetyRoad safety is poor throughout the country. Fatal accidents are frequent. They frequently involve motorcycle and pedestrians are commonly use elevated walkways or pedestrian bridges when conditionsRoad conditions are poor throughout the can be dangerous due to poorly maintained roads and vehiclestraffic jams and heavy traffic, especially in urban areaspotholes slippery roads during the rainy seasonDriving habitsDrivers don’t always respect traffic laws. Some vehicles, especially motorcycles, drive against the flow of traffic and on the you plan to travel by car in Vietnam, you should consider hiring a you choose to drivealways drive defensivelyavoid travelling after dark or during adverse weather conditionsavoid driving a motorcycleMake sure you have proper insurance and a valid licencePublic transportationTaxisOfficial taxis are generally taxis known as “xe oms” are not motorcycle taxisUse only official taxis or a trusted ridesharing appNegotiate the fare in advance, or insist that the driver use the meterNever share a taxi with a strangerConfirm the driver’s identity and the licence plate before getting in the carBe familiar with your hotel’s address and the neighbourhood to avoid being brought to a wrong locationBusesBus and coach accidents are are generally have been reported on certain train lines, including sleeper stub is required to exit the train station. Passengers without a ticket stub will be required to pay the fare your ticket stub when travelling by accidents have occurred due to the overloading and poor maintenance of some vessels, particularly on the line connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Vung board vessels that appear overloaded or within Vietnam - Vietnam TourismAir travelWe do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety about foreign domestic airlines Back to top Entry and exit requirements Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit have obtained the information on this page from the Vietnamese authorities. It can, however, change at any this information with the Foreign Representatives in requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry Canadian passportYour passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave for official travelDifferent entry rules may travelPassport with “X” gender identifierWhile the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your travel documentsDifferent entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your linksForeign Representatives in CanadaCanadian passportsVisasTourist visa required Business visa required Student visa required Work visa requiredE-visa authorizationIf you have a valid Canadian passport, you may be eligible to apply online for an e-visa. This is a single-entry electronic tourist visa, valid for a maximum of 30 days. It allows to enter Vietnam via the port of entry indicated in the visa approval notice only. Some restrictions visits of multiple entries or longer than 30 days, you must get a visa from the nearest Vietnamese embassy before for an e-visa - Immigration Department of VietnamVisa exemptionsCanadian spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens may be eligible for a visa exemption the Embassy of Vietnam in Canada for more information on this extensionYou must have a visa to enter required, you can request a visa extension atthe Vietnam Immigration Department in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh Citycertain local travel agencies and tour companiesVietnamese visas in expired Canadian passports are not valid. The visa needs to be transferred to the new your Vietnamese visa or having the wrong type of visa is a serious matter. You may be delayed from onward travel until a fine is the visa validity and conditions must report your presence to local authorities upon accommodations will generally file the declaration on your behalf. If you’re staying in a non-commercial accommodation, you must do so with the nearest police sure you request the return of your passport once it has been registered by hotel hotel staff may ask to see your passport at check-in. They may make copies of it. They may also insist on holding your passport until you leave. There is no legal reason for leave your passport or any other ID document with anyone Ask for your documents to be returned to you as soon as check-in is completeTravel restrictionsTravel near military facilities is restrictedin some parts of the central highlandsin some border areaIf you wish to visit a village, commune or ward that is close to the border, you must obtain permission from the provincial police the relevant local authority to confirm these screeningUpon entry, you may be subject toa body temperature checkquarantine for medical observation if showing flu-like symptomsChildren and travelLearn more about travelling with feverLearn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever vaccines section. Back to top Health This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and vaccines Be sure that your routine vaccinations, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination. Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella MMR, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella chickenpox, influenza and others. Pre-travel vaccines and medications You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. Yellow Fever - Country Entry Requirements Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito. Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection. Risk There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. Country Entry Requirement* Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country. Recommendation Vaccination is not recommended. * It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destinations you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements. About Yellow Fever Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in CanadaHepatitis AHepatitis A is a disease of the liver spread through contaminated food and water or contact with an infected person. All those travelling to regions with a risk of hepatitis A infection should get Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against encephalitisJapanese encephalitis is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the brain. It is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Risk is very low for most travellers. Travellers at relatively higher risk may want to consider vaccination for JE prior to travelling. Travellers are at higher risk if they will be travelling long term more than 30 days making multiple trips to endemic areas staying for extended periods in rural areas visiting an area suffering a JE outbreak engaging in activities involving high contact with mosquitos entomologists Hepatitis BHepatitis B is a disease of the liver spread through blood or other bodily fluids. Travellers who may be exposed through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure should get There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this country. Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no vaccine against malaria. Protect yourself from mosquito bites. This includes covering up, using insect repellent and staying in enclosed, air-conditioned accommodations. You may also consider pre-treating clothing and travel gear with insecticides and sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net. Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling see CATMAT Appendix 1. If recommended, you should start taking antimalarial medication prior to travel. See a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic, preferably six weeks before you travel to discuss your options. Rabies In this destination, rabies is carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions, including keeping your distance from animals including free-roaming dogs, and closely supervising children. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. Rabies treatment is often available in this destination. Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals. COVID-19Coronavirus disease COVID-19 is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air. It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally. Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19. Safe food and water precautions Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water. Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it! Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater streams, canals, lakes, particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated. Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. Travellers' diarrheaTravellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions. The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration drinking lots of fluids. Carry oral rehydration salts when Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time. Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination. Insect bite prevention Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present Use insect repellent bug spray on exposed skin Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester Minimize exposure to insects Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page. Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they is a risk of chikungunya in this country. The risk may vary between regions of a country. Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years. Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for In this country, dengue is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites. Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal. The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region. Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset. Protect yourself from mosquito bites. There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue. Animal precautions Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets places where live animals are slaughtered and sold or caves. Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock pigs, cows, monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game. Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals. Avian InfluenzaHuman cases of avian influenza have been reported in this destination. Avian influenza is a viral infection that can spread quickly and easily among birds and in rare cases it can infect mammals, including people. The risk is low for most travellers. Avoid contact with birds, including wild, farm, and backyard birds alive or dead and surfaces that may have bird droppings on them. Ensure all poultry dishes, including eggs and wild game, are properly cooked. Travellers with a higher risk of exposure include those visiting live bird/animal markets or poultry farms working with poultry such as chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks hunting, de-feathering, field dressing and butchering wild birds and wild mammals working with wild birds for activities such as research, conservation, or rehabilitation working with wild mammals, especially those that eat wild birds foxes All eligible people are encouraged to get the seasonal influenza shot, which will protect them against human influenza viruses. While the seasonal influenza shot does not prevent infection with avian influenza, it can reduce the chance of getting sick with human and avian influenza viruses at the same infections Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by washing your hands often avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events concerts, sporting events, rallies avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness Sexually transmitted infections STIs, HIV, and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine. Hand, foot and mouth diseaseHand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral illness that mainly affects infants and children. Travellers are at increased risk if visiting or living in overcrowded conditions. There is no vaccine or medication that protects against this is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs. For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low. Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional. High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and services and facilitiesGood health care is limited. The quality of care varies greatly throughout the medical facilities and supplies are limited outside of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh clinics and hospitals are usually better equipped. Services can be expensive, but they usually have qualified medical staff who speak English or French well. Emergency and ambulance services response times may be slow du to traffic congestion. In case of emergency, you may consider taking a taxi or private vehicle to go to the hospital rather than wait for an evacuation is very expensive. You may need it to neighbouring countries in case of serious illness or sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital health and safetyMedicationIf you take prescription medication, you’re responsible for determining their legality in sufficient quantities of your medication with youAlways keep your medication in the original containerPack your medication in your carry-on luggageCarry a copy of your prescriptions Back to top Laws and culture You must abide by local about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained transfer of offenders treaty exists between Canada and Vietnam. If you’re convicted of a serious crime, you must serve your jail sentence in Vietnam. You may also have to remain in Vietnam for a parole period after your for possession, use, production or trafficking of drugs, including cannabis, are severe. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines, jail sentences or the death linksAlcohol, drugs and travelCannabis and international travelIdentificationLocal authorities may request to see your ID at any valid identification or a photocopy of it at all timesKeep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place in case it’s lost or seizedKeep a digital copy of your ID and travel documentsGamblingGambling outside of licensed casinos is illegal in must hold of a foreign passport to gamble in these licensed activitiesThere are severe restrictions on political activities, includingparticipating in public protestspublishing messages critical of the government on social mediasIf you engage in political activities you may face detention, deportation and travel ban to Vietnam in the of sensitive installations is prohibited. This includesmilitary sitesborder crossingsThese sensitive areas are not always from photographing military installations or personnel even if no sign is postedComply with all requests from local authoritiesReligious activitiesThere are restrictions on certain religious activities, such as preaching, distributing literature and associating with unapproved religious and intimate activitiesAs a foreigner, you are not allowed to invite Vietnamese nationals of the opposite sex into your hotel room to stay overnight unless you are are allowed to stay with a Vietnamese family only if you have obtained permission from local possession and distribution of pornographic material is of antiquesVietnamese law restricts the export of antiques, but these laws are vague and unevenly enforced. If you purchase items that may be considered as antiqueskeep receipts and all paperwork provided by the sellerensure you have the proper exportation permits from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam General Department of you can't present the required paperwork, the items may be of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam in VietnameseDress and behaviourThe Vietnamese society is visiting religious and culturally places to avoid offending local sensitivitiesdress conservativelybehave discreetlyrespect religious and social traditionsseek permission from locals before photographing themTet celebrationsThe lunar new year is celebrated between the end of January and the end of February. Theses celebrations usually last several days and can have an impact on the availability and provision of essential services such asbanking servicespublic services including healthcaretransportfood distributionPlan your trip accordingly if you travel to Vietnam during this citizenshipDual citizenship is not legally recognized in local authorities consider you a citizen of Vietnam, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those with dual citizenshipMandatory military serviceCanadians with Vietnamese citizenship may be subject to mandatory military service and other national this requirement before travelling to Child AbductionThe Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Vietnam by an abducting parentact as quickly as you canconsult a lawyer in Canada and in Vietnam to explore all the legal options for the return of your childreport the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial linksInternational Child Abduction A Guidebook for Left-Behind ParentsTravelling with childrenCanadian embassies and consulates by destinationEmergency Watch and Response CentreDoing business in VietnamDisputes related to business agreements or arrangements are costly and take time to resolve. You may be subject to a travel ban restricting you from leaving the country until matters are you plan on doing business in Vietnamseek legal advice in Canada and in Vietnam before making commitmentschoose your own lawyerensure that all documents are translated so that conditions, terms and limitations are well understoodTeachingThere are many teaching opportunities in Vietnam. However, make sure you are well informed before signing a a local lawyer or professionalEnsure that the contract specifies the maximum number of classroom hours per day and per week, maximum workdays per week, and vacation periodsConfirm the living arrangements if any are includedEnsure that you possess the right visa for the activities you will performEnsure you understand any liabilities linked to early termination of a contractDrivingYou must hold a valid Vietnamese driver's licence to drive a vehicle with an engine of 50CC or more. This includes most motorcycles. Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear a country has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving or cycling. Penalties for drinking and driving or cycling includelicence suspensionheavy finesIf you are involved in a traffic accident as a driver, you mayface criminal charges as a driverhave to pay compensation to the victimsface a travel ban preventing you from leaving the country until compensation is paidThere are restrictions on vehicles crossing from and into neighbouring the Department of Transport in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for information on for licences or of Transport in Ho Chi Minh City in VietnameseMoneyThe currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong VND.Cash declarationsArrivalUpon arrival, you must declare if you havemore than 15 million Vietnamese dong, more than US$5,000, or the equivalent in any other currency, in cashmore than 300 grams of gold, including jewellery, gold bar and raw goldDepartureUpon departure, you mustdeclare if you have more than 15 million Vietnamese dong, more than US$5,000, or the equivalent in any other currency, in cash;present a written approval to carry foreign currency or Vietnamese dong in cash abroad, issued by an authorized Vietnamese credit institution in accordance with the laws on foreign exchange control or the State Bank of Vietnam. Back to top Natural disasters and climate Rainy seasonThe rainy season extendsfrom June to September in the north and southfrom October to December in central VietnamSeasonal flooding occurs in October and November in central Vietnam. It’s also commonin and around Hanoi, particularly along the Red Riverin the Mekong River Delta regions in the southSeasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable due to mudslides and landslides. Bridges, buildings, and infrastructure may be vigilant, especially in areas around major riversStay away from flooded areasMonitor weather reportsMonitor local media for the latest updates, including those on road conditionsFollow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation ordersUseful linksMekong Flood and Drought Forecasting - Mekong River CommissionForecasting - National Center for Hydro-Meteorological ForecastingTyphoonsTyphoons usually occur from June and December. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential you decide to travel to Vietnam during this periodknow that you may expose yourself to serious safety risksbe prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your tripstay informed of the latest regional weather forecastscarry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operatorfollow the advice and instructions of local authoritiesUseful linksForecasting - National Center for Hydro-Meteorological ForecastingTornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoonsLarge-scale emergencies abroadHeat wavesHumidity and heat may be severe, particularly during the rainy the symptoms of dehydration and heatstroke, which can both be fires may air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy case of a major firestay away from affected areas, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailmentsfollow the instructions of local emergency services personnelmonitor local media to stay informed on the evolving situationAir pollutionSmog and other types of air pollution can be hazardous in urban areas. Air quality can also be affected in rural areas due to agricultural pollution levels can change periods of high pollutionlimit your outdoor activities, especially if you suffer from respiratory ailments or have pre-existing medical conditionsmonitor local mediafollow the instructions of local authoritiesUseful linksAir pollution in Hanoi - World Air Quality IndexAir pollution in Ho Chi Minh City - World Air Quality Index Back to top Need help? Local servicesEmergency servicesIn case of emergency, dialpolice 113medical assistance 115firefighters 114Consular assistanceHanoi - Embassy of CanadaHo Chi Minh City - Consulate General of CanadaFor emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Vietnam, in Hanoi, or the Consulate General of Canada, in Ho Chi Minh City, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa. Disclaimer The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad. The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided. If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services. Learn more about consular services.

vietnam is now willing to