Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

Vietnamese lose appetite for instant noodles

By VnExpress March 28, 2017 | 09:03 am GMT+7

Former market leader Miliket reported its lowest revenue in five years in 2016.

Vietnam instant noodle market is losing steam, with both local and foreign producers experiencing heavy drops in sales.

A new report released by domestic instant noodles giant Miliket – Colusa Foodstuff JSC showed its revenue dipped to a five-year low of VND461 billion ($20.24 million) in 2016, down 3.5 percent from the previous year.

The company, which dominated the local instant noodles market in the 1970s and 1980s, reported an annual drop of 39 percent in pre-tax profit to VND25 billion last year, the lowest since 2012, despite the introduction of several new products.

The Ho Chi Minh City-based company is not the only one losing customers. Big brands such as Acecook, Masan and Asia Food are also having trouble.

Japan’s Acecook reported revenue falling from VND10 trillion in 2013 to VND9 trillion in 2015.

Masan, one of the biggest food companies in Vietnam, reported a drop in profits of 20 percent in the first half of 2016 compared to the same period the previous year.

The World Instant Noodles Association ranks Vietnam the fourth biggest market in the world, with 4.8 billion packs consumed in 2015, after Japan, Indonesia and China. However, consumption has been falling since 2012.

Average personal consumption was the second highest in the world in 2016 after South Korea, with each person tucking into 55 packs a year.

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

Buying illicit ‘self-defense’ weapons is child’s play in Ho Chi Minh City

TUOI TRE NEWS
UPDATED : 03/27/2017 13:47 GMT + 7

Residents of Ho Chi Minh City are equipping themselves with multiple types of dangerous and illegal weapons in the name of self defense.

A wide variety of personal defense weapons are being offered at low prices online, attracting a lot of buyers.

Thanh Tu, the 24-year-old owner of one self-defense shop in the southern hub, is a prominent seller of these types of objects.

Tu often promotes his products online at a cost of between VND450,000 (US$20) and VND1.8 million ($80), using video clips showing how the weapons work in different situations.

In December 2016, one customer asked to directly browse the equipment at Tu’s shop, but it was an offer that he turned down.

Tu said that he would only deliver the products to his customers, ensuring that his products were always in good condition.

Regarding the legitimacy of the weapons, he boasted that his electric tasers have a design similar to regular flashlights, making it difficult for authorities to tell the difference.

“Even if you get caught, the worst thing that can happen is that it gets confiscated,” Tu explained.

Aside from tasers, he also sells electric guns, handcuffs, body armor, and several kinds of pepper spray.

An investigation by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper revealed that Tu began his business in April 2016.

He claimed that he sells his products to over 15 customers in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces on a daily basis, and that about 40 percent of his buyers were women.

Another notorious seller of self-defense weapons in the city is a man identified only as Nam.
A buyer named Hung recently contacted Nam and was told to meet him at a pre-arranged spot in Phu Nhuan District.

There, Nam revealed a stun gun about 20 centimeters long along with three bullets, all of which cost VND2.5 million ($110).

Extra ammunition costs approximately VND175,000 ($8) per pack.

Nam demonstrated how the weapon worked, asserting that the gun was very efficient thanks to its high range and strong electric current.


Against the law

According to an official from the municipal Department of Police, citizens are not allowed to purchase weapons, even if they are for self-defense.

Civilians who trade, transport, and store weapons such as stun guns, tasers, and pepper sprays without a permit could be fined from VND10 million ($440) to VND20 million ($880), said Nguyen Duc Danh, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association.

Despite this, residents continue to act against the law in order to protect themselves.

Thanh and her husband from the southern province of Binh Duong said that they had bought a taser flashlight for VND550,000 ($24), as they often travel at night for their jobs.

Toan, another Ho Chi Minh city resident, owns a similar weapon, considering it useful protection for his long daily journey to work.

Unfortunately, these types of self-defense weapons are not always used for good, with many criminals utilizing them in crimes against civillians.

Police records show that in July 2016, officers in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City arrested Nguyen Cao Nhan, 23, for firing a stun gun at a man in order to steal his motorbike.

Nhan claimed he had bought the gun and five bullets online for VND3 million ($132).

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

Haiz kena commanded by the Mighty One again........:o

Ok SARPORK SARPORK your fav website xnn.com :D

Cheerios......SS08 ^_^

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

Why watch their commercials???? Nothing interesting also leh :D......I though you posted before that you will rather watch Discovery Channel & PCC instead :eek::D

Cheerios......SS08 ^_^

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

Either its forgotten or remembered, got middle ground one meh.....:confused: maybe remembered jit pua jit pua lah......;)

Cheerios.....SS08 ^_^

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

Haiz......u already said loooooooog looooooog time ago u no interest in such activities liao.......somemore by 8pm already back in room preparing for bedtime liao ;)

Cheerios......SS08 ^_^

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

Their arrogant Garment simi sai also can do.......in the past already issue travel ban or restrictions to certain cuntries just becos of some political conflicts :cool:

Cheerios......SS08 ^_^

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

I no wan leh, I want to act in the lead actor role instead :D lead actress must look like the younger version of Minh Hang :D

Cheerios......SS08 ^_^

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

Kanasai already so clear cut she makan the $$$$ but send summons only????:confused: Looks like that poor (pun intended) lady can say bye bye to those $$$ since the bank already deny all liabilities :eek:

Cheerios......SS08 ^_^

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

I sure support you...:)

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

Wow...lidat you also can remember...:)

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

jit pua...learn something new here...:)

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

haha...but 1 night I can go with you mah...:)

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

dun care lah...just enjoy ourselves...dun need them...:)

Re: All Vietnam Related TCSS / Info / Gatherings / Help Thread
 

ok get you fan wen fang when she was 16...:)