VietNamNet Bridge – iPad Air, with lighter weight and outstanding features in comparison with the previous generation products, have been welcomed in Vietnam. However, iPad Air prices will not be overly high.

Unlike iPhones, iPad products never saw the “price fever” on the first days they turned up in Vietnam. However, the gap between the prices in other countries and in Vietnam has always been large.

In 2012, when the third generation iPads arrived in Vietnam, the 16 GB version with 4G connection was sold at VND19.3 million. The price then soared to over VND20 million during the next week due to the short supply. Meanwhile, in Singaporean market, it was priced at VND15 million.

However, hi-tech product dealers have reassured iFans that the iPad prices are really very “reasonable” this year. Most of the shops now quote the price at less than VND16 million for 16 GB version with 4G connection.

Meanwhile, the prices are VND18 million, VND21 million and VND24 million for 32 GB, 64 GB and 124 GB versions, respectively. Especially, the version with only wifi connection is cheaper, at VND12 million.

The comparable prices in the Singaporean market are VND14.9 million for 16 GB version with 4G connection.

iPad Airs have also been available in Hong Kong which have the prices lower by VND1 million. However, there is only the wifi version in the market, while it is very difficult to buy the products.

iPad Air has been available in HCM City, Vietnam shortly after Apple launched the products in the world on November 1. The products have been carried to Vietnam across the border gates by travelers, while they have not been officially distributed by authorized dealers.

Viet Duc, the owner of ShopDunk, a smart phone shop on Thai Ha Street in Hanoi, shook his head when asked if iPad Air is cheap because it is not attractive to customers.

Duc said that the prices of iPad Air are not overly high, though the products have been welcomed in Vietnam. It is partially because a lot of countries begin their sale campaigns at the same time, which makes the supply profuse.

“I can say for sure that the number of people interested in iPad Air is much higher than in the previous generation iPads,” Duc said. “However, it is not the reason that pushes the prices up. I think the prices are on the decrease.”

Minh Hai, a civil engineer in Hanoi, said he initially intended to buy iPad Air after two months, when the prices are expected to get stable. However, Hai has changed his mind.

“The prices are not overly high as I thought before,” he explained. “Therefore, I have decided to buy an iPad Air in some more days. It would be better to have high technology products soon.”

Though iPad Airs have been available in Vietnam already, Hai and other iFans would have to wait some more days to be able to buy the products when the supply gets more profuse.

“Shop owners have to send their staff abroad to buy products and then come back to Vietnam,” explained Nguyen Anh Van, the owner of CellphoneS retail chain.

Mai Chi