As market interest rate liberalisation chatter continues, base rate changes again shape up as a key factor driving the local banking market. The State Bank last Thursday, March 25, decided to maintain the base rate at 8 per cent for the fifth month in a row. Few days before, HSBC stated that it predicted the State Bank was going to increase its policy rate again by 1 per cent “in the coming weeks”... 

Sales of the iPhone in Vietnam have gotten off to a tepid start with prices, including calling plans, putting off many customers. Local wireless carriers Vinaphone and Viettel began selling the phone Friday, two months after announcing deals with Apple Inc. As both companies had said their prices would be attractive, sales were expected to be strong on the first day the iPhone officially hit the local...