VietNamNet Bridge - Experts have warned that as Vietnam is now part of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), it faces a higher risk of local brands being stolen.

VietNamNet Bridge - Of the total fruit import turnover in the first four months of the year, four out of every five dollars were for Thailand.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese products are facing fierce competition from Thailand imports in the local market as Thai companies increasingly expand their presence in the country.

VietNamNet Bridge – The role of Thai business in Vietnam’s marketplace has grown significantly over recent years, and experts expect this trend to continue — particularly in light of the ASEAN Economic Community coming to fruition later this year.

The advantage of Chinese goods are the cheap prices, whileThai goods have good quality, and both are popular with Vietnamese customers, according to Dr. Le Dang Doanh, former Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Many Thai and Japanese goods are being sold on HCM City sidewalks and along roads.

Viet Nam is a land of opportunity, especially HCM City, but Thai investors should be more strategic by creating both "aggressive and passive" business plans to maximise benefits when the ASEAN Economic Community takes effect in 2015,