VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese have begun buying more smartwatches but they are still far from becoming highly popular.

Apple, Samsung, LG, Sony, Motorola and Pebble all have displayed smartwatches in the Vietnamese market. Apple has Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch Edition, while Samsung has Gear S, Gear Fit, Gear 2 Neo. Sony has Smartwatch 1, 2 and 3 and Motorola, Moto 360.

A smartwatch is compatible with smartphones, and mostly runs on Android and iOS operating systems to receive calls and messages. It allows access to Facebook, can measures heartbeat and is installed with global positioning system (GPS).

Low-cost products are priced at VND2.5-4.9million (Sony Smartwatch 2 is sold at VND2.7 million), while mid-end are VND5-9.3 million (Sony Smartwatch 3 is sold at VND5.3 million) and high-end products VND13-20 million.

Apple Watch 38mm Stainless Steel watches are among the most luxurious smartwatch models now available in the Vietnamese market with the price of over VND13 million. Meanwhile, Apple Watch 42mm Stainless Steel Case is VND20 million.

Ha Tuan from Hoang Ha Mobile, a large distribution chain, noted that smartwatches, especially the luxury products with the prices of around VND10 million, have not been welcomed by Vietnamese. 

Tuan noted that young people now prefer a smartband which have some similar features with smartwatch and have lower selling prices.

The owner of a private shop in Hanoi noted that the currently available smartwatch models are expensive compared with the unattractive appearance design and low battery capacity. Therefore, he only sells products by orders.

A representative from FPT Shop noted that despite the presence of strong brands like Sony and Apple, the domestic market remains cool.

“I think it is now the time for Vietnamese to get familiar with smartwatch. It will take more time to create a smartwatch boom in Vietnam,” he noted.

According to the owner of a shop on Hang Bai street in Hanoi, in 2014, Samsung’s curved screen Gear Fit saw the price drop from VND4 million to VND1.9 million just after six months on the shelves, but the sales were still slow.

Only a few models of Apple and Samsung are distributed in Vietnam through authorized agents, while the majority of products are carried to Vietnam through unofficial channels.

Local newspapers reported that ASUS plans to sell smartwatches through authorized dealers in 2014. However, to date, no further move has been taken by the manufacturer to implement the plan.

Khanh Ha from ASUS Vietnam confirmed that it was still unclear when ASUS’s ZenWatch will be available in Vietnam. 

NLD