Ricky Ho

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Articles

Building a strong city brand

2 months ago | english.thesaigontimes.vn | Ricky Ho

City branding extends far beyond logos and slogans. It is a comprehensive process that integrates a city’s values into urban planning and supportive policies, cultivating an authentic and compelling city image. The success stories of Melbourne and Shanghai offer valuable lessons for Vietnamese cities that want to establish their unique identities.
An ongoing retail store battle

2 months ago | english.thesaigontimes.vn | Ricky Ho

Convenience stores represent a mere 0.3% of Vietnam’s retail market, where foreign companies hold sway, much like in hypermarkets and shopping malls. Many convenience store chains have been grappling with protracted challenges with profitability as they have been searching for sustainable business models to capture market share.
Leveraging digital transformation to drive sales

Jan 12, 2025 | english.thesaigontimes.vn | Ricky Ho

In today’s competitive business environment, digital transformation and the integration of AI tools tailored to specific business needs are critical for achieving sales targets. “Focus on the numbers,” a sales director recalls being urged by investors and management before every meeting. To meet these demands, her company has heavily invested in building an in-house marketing and digital team while also partnering with a digital agency.
Taking local specialties to the world

Jan 12, 2025 | english.thesaigontimes.vn | Ricky Ho |Kim Ngan

Officially launched in 2018, Vietnam’s One Commune One Product (OCOP) program now sees over 14,000 products certified with 3-5 star ratings, and produced by more than 8,000 entities including cooperatives, small production units, and cooperation groups. However, despite these achievements, OCOP products are rarely seen in supermarkets, and their prices often exceed standard levels.
Limited funding for AI startups

Nov 24, 2024 | english.thesaigontimes.vn | Ricky Ho

Vietnam ranks second in Southeast Asia, after Singapore, in terms of the number of artificial intelligence (AI) startups. However, the country’s 765 AI and machine learning (ML) startups secured just US$47.3 million in funding in the first nine months of 2024, according to data from PitchBook Data Inc. This indicates a shortage of funding relative to the number of startups, with each startup receiving an average of around US$62,000 in this period.
Dual challenges for Vietnamese businesses

Oct 13, 2024 | english.thesaigontimes.vn | Ricky Ho

As environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices become a guideline, can companies in Vietnam strike an effective balance between profitability and social impact? The profit report of Vietnam’s 500 most profitable companies in 2024 shows a decline, indicating that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—which make up 98% of the country’s businesses—are facing increasing challenges.
The emerging silver economy

Oct 6, 2024 | english.thesaigontimes.vn | Ricky Ho |Dat Thanh

Vietnam’s population began aging in 2011, when the percentage of people over 60 surpassed 10% of the population. This proportion has continued to grow and is projected to rise to 25% by 2050. However, the “silver economy” has only gained momentum in the past year or two, despite businesses recognizing its potential over a decade ago. While the availability of goods and services catering to the elderly has increased, the growth remains relatively modest.
A doable green approach

Sep 1, 2024 | english.thesaigontimes.vn | Ricky Ho

Social housing development in Vietnam has faced a myriad of obstacles, and the introduction of green standards has raised concerns about cost. Despite these challenges, Vietnam’s ambitious one-million-social-home program has made certain progress, with 15% of its target already met.
Rushing to offshore funds

May 4, 2024 | english.thesaigontimes.vn | Ricky Ho |Thanh Tam

Startups are seeking capital from sources that are more accessible, cost-effective and supportive. Like mature birds spreading their wings, they venture far from their nests, uncertain of when they will return. While HCMC remains a beacon for startups in Vietnam, shifts in capital and talent are prompting some to search elsewhere.
Consumers in sustainable development

Dec 3, 2023 | english.thesaigontimes.vn | Ricky Ho |Dat Thanh

In the realm of green economy and sustainable development forums in Vietnam, the representation of individual consumers often remains obscure. While consumer protection associations and organizations exist, their influence and voices are notably subdued. This understated aspect presents an unaddressed challenge that warrants greater attention in Vietnam’s journey towards sustainable development.