The year 2012 is believed to be one more difficult year of the national economy. Therefore, where to inject money in proves to be an inextricable question for many investors. Gold, real estate, stocks, dollars or dong deposits – all the investment channels remain open. Gold always attractive? While 2011 was a bad year for the real estate market, it was a lucky year for gold investors. The gold price... 

The circular that guides the establishment and management over open investment funds has been issued, which is hoped to create a “set of new investment tools”. Especially, close funds are allowed to shift into open funds, which will help ease the pressure on the market when the funds are due for dissolution. The circular has been posted on the official website of the State Securities Commission... 

Foreign portfolio investment capital flow to Vietnam has nearly stopped, investment funds have been trying to sell securities, while there is no sign showing that they would come back. The bad debt ratio of the total outstanding loans of the banking system rose from 2.5 percent in late 2010 to 3.5 percent in September 2011. The ratio is believed to increase further to reach the highest peak in 2012.... 

Vietnam’s fund management companies are hoping retirement funds could be their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The State Securities Commission (SSC) is expected to green-light the open-ended fund model by the end of this month. Accordingly, brokerages can deploy typical open- ended structures including mutual funds, retirement funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and unit trusts. All... 

Finance, real estate, securities and gold investors these days have the common voice that they feel discouraged because the markets remain gloomy. A gloomy atmosphere has been pervading the real estate market. Real estate developers have been trying to bargain away to take back capital to pay bank debts. Securities trading floors keep quiet, while securities investors make hesitant when placing orders.... 

The gloomy Vietnamese stock market and the global economic crisis are the two large rocks that hinder investment funds to call for capital. However, more and more new funds still appear every day on the market. Management companies still cannot raise funds In August, the Saigon Asset Management Company (SAM) announced it was calling capital for the fund which would inject money in the energy sector. The... 

TD Mobile of Japan has acquired 30 percent of the shares of Vietnamese phone retailer Vien Thong A (VTA), according to media reports. The exact amount of the deal has not been made public. TD Mobile is a joint venture between Toyota Tsusho Corp., one of the largest trading companies in Japan, and Denso, a manufacturer of automotive components. The company operates about 300 cell-phone retail shops... 

Japan-based NTT Data Group has announced it will invest in local VietUnion Online Services Corporation in a bid to further penetrate the electronic payment system market in Vietnam. NTT Data Group will hold a 40% stake in VietUnion to become the second biggest investor after Saigon Invest Group. With its capital contribution and technical support, VietUnion is expected to dominate the electronic payment... 

International investors of four funds under the management of the VinaCapital Group recognise Vietnam ‘s long-term potential but are concerned about the country’s struggle to contain inflation. VinaCapital chairman Terry Mahony said: “In the short term, Vietnam still faces challenges including high inflation and interest rates, which cause pressure to investment funds.” Andy... 

Foreign investment funds said on Friday that they still saw huge potentials in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam despite the global uncertainty. Vietnam captures attention from foreign investment funds owing to its fast-rising consumption driven by a young population, and economic growth will continue to rely on the private sector, especially SMEs, investors said at a conference...