Franchise expert offers tips for Vietnamese firms to enter Indian market

By Lan Do
Fri, March 15, 2024 | 11:17 am GMT+7

The Indian food market is a competitive playground, and 38% of the population is vegetarian, so Vietnamese enterprises wishing to sell their products in India need to take these factors into account, according to franchise expert Nguyen Phi Van.

Van was talking at a sales event held by the Business Association of High-Quality Vietnamese Products in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday aimed at helping companies that use modern tools and technology to conquer the billion-person market.

Franchise expert Nguyen Phi Van speaks at an event held by the Business Association of High-Quality Vietnamese Products in Ho Chi Minh City on March 14, 2024. Photo courtesy of the association.

Franchise expert Nguyen Phi Van speaks at an event held by the Business Association of High-Quality Vietnamese Products in Ho Chi Minh City on March 14, 2024. Photo courtesy of the association.

Van believes that before entering the Indian market, Vietnamese enterprises need to learn more about it. India is the world's most populated country, with 1.44 billion inhabitants. It covers 3.2 million square kilometers, being the world's seventh largest with 400 cities.

The country practices four religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It has 186 billionaires, ranking third in the world.

Notes for Vietnamese enterprises

First, India is vast and contains numerous cities. Consumption in large cities differs from that in smaller cities. To enter this market, enterprises must determine what to sell, in which cities, and to whom.

Second, prices in the Indian market are quite competitive. Businesses can introduce products into this market by packaging them in modest quantities. Prices in India are carefully negotiated by enterprises. They will ask how to cut production and logistics costs, therefore, Vietnamese enterprises should prepare for these variables when bargaining.

Third, India is 38% vegetarian, so Vietnamese enterprises should consider the vegetarian community and what to sell. As a result, Vietnamese firms must provide vegetarian cuisine before launching other products.

Forth, India is the world's largest exporter of spices. Indians tend to eat with spices and avoid green vegetables, which are not readily available in India. As a result, if products are brought into this market, the food must suit their tastes. "Two Vietnamese products that I give as gifts every time I go to India are shrimp chips and spring rolls, but their consumption is also low," she remarked.

Fifth, although there is a free trade agreement between Vietnam and India, this does not imply that the tax rate is zero. Some commodities, such as pepper, cashews, and coffee, have taxes ranging from 75% to 45%. As a result, before exporting any commodity, companies must first determine the tax rate. If it is too high, it is probably already produced by factories in India.

And last but not least, Indians use their hands to eat, so if you want to do business with them, you must respect their culture.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Vietnam to have 34 cities, provinces, instead of 63: Party chief 

Vietnam to have 34 cities, provinces, instead of 63: Party chief 

Vietnam plans to reduce the number of cities and provinces from the current 63 to 34, as part of a scheme to streamline its administrative apparatus, Party General Secretary To Lam said Friday.

Politics - Sat, March 29, 2025 | 4:18 pm GMT+7

Thailand’s digital ad spending predicted to grow 10% in 2025

Thailand’s digital ad spending predicted to grow 10% in 2025

Thailand’s online advertising spending in 2025 is forecast to grow 10% to THB35 billion (over $1 billion), based on a gradual rebound of the local economy and intense competition in the digital industry, according to the Digital Advertising Association of Thailand (DAAT).

Southeast Asia - Sat, March 29, 2025 | 3:39 pm GMT+7

US Defence Secretary reaffirms alliance commitment during visit to Philippines

US Defence Secretary reaffirms alliance commitment during visit to Philippines

U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s strong commitment to its alliance with the Philippines during his official visit to the Southeast Asian country on Friday.

Southeast Asia - Sat, March 29, 2025 | 3:32 pm GMT+7

Southern Vietnam province Tra Vinh okays five more wind power projects

Southern Vietnam province Tra Vinh okays five more wind power projects

Vietnam's southern coastal province of Tra Vinh has granted in-principle approvals for five wind power plant projects, with a total investment of over VND 13.8 trillion ($540 million).

Southeast Asia - Sat, March 29, 2025 | 3:29 pm GMT+7

Vietnam, South Africa eye stronger air logistics links

Vietnam, South Africa eye stronger air logistics links

Vietnam and South Africa are seeking to strengthen air logistics cooperation to meet rising trade and transportation demands.

Southeast Asia - Sat, March 29, 2025 | 3:24 pm GMT+7

Net profit of Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park nearly doubles in 2024

Net profit of Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park nearly doubles in 2024

Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park J.V. Co., Ltd, or VSIP, the largest industrial park developer in Vietnam, posted VND3.28 trillion ($128.37 million) in net profit in 2024, up nearly 93% year-on-year.

Industrial real estate - Sat, March 29, 2025 | 3:18 pm GMT+7

Trump Organization eyes golf course, hotel projects in Vietnam

Trump Organization eyes golf course, hotel projects in Vietnam

A consortium between the Trump Organization and its partner in Vietnam plans multiple investments worth billions of dollars in golf courses, hotels and real estate projects Vietnam, Reuters quoted the consortium’s spokesman as saying.

Real Estate - Sat, March 29, 2025 | 11:06 am GMT+7

Livestock major Dabaco invests in 8.2-hectare dry port in northern Vietnam

Livestock major Dabaco invests in 8.2-hectare dry port in northern Vietnam

Vietnam’s leading livestock firm Dabaco has invested in an 8.2-hectare inland container depot (ICD) in Bac Ninh province, an emerging manufacturing hub in northern Vietnam and home to a Samsung Electronics plant.

Infrastructure - Sat, March 29, 2025 | 10:51 am GMT+7

Phuong Tien Minh appointed CEO of life insurer FWD Vietnam

Phuong Tien Minh appointed CEO of life insurer FWD Vietnam

Hong Kong-headquartered FWD Group Holdings Limited has appointed Phuong Tien Minh as CEO of life insurer FWD Vietnam, effective Thursday, March 27.

Finance - Sat, March 29, 2025 | 10:40 am GMT+7

Vietnam's Deputy PM backs formation of free trade zone in Binh Dinh province

Vietnam's Deputy PM backs formation of free trade zone in Binh Dinh province

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung on Friday expressed his support for an early study of a free trade zone in Phu My Port area, the south-central province of Binh Dinh.

Economy - Sat, March 29, 2025 | 8:25 am GMT+7

Vietnam offers numerous advantages for Skoda Auto's investment: executive

Vietnam offers numerous advantages for Skoda Auto's investment: executive

Vietnam offers a range of advantages for investment by Czech automaker Skoda Auto, including its seaport system, logistics infrastructure, and skilled labor, the company’s chairman and CEO Klaus Zellmer said on Thursday.

Industries - Fri, March 28, 2025 | 7:33 pm GMT+7

Vietnam plans to cut import tax for LNG to 2%

Vietnam plans to cut import tax for LNG to 2%

Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance is drafting a decree on preferential import tax for some products, including a proposal of 2% tax rate for LNG.

Energy - Fri, March 28, 2025 | 4:31 pm GMT+7

AES’s $2.1 bln LNG power project needs solutions to meet deadline: Vietnam authorities

AES’s $2.1 bln LNG power project needs solutions to meet deadline: Vietnam authorities

The 2,250-MW Son My 2 LNG-fired power project, invested by the U.S.'s AES and state-run Petrovietnam subsidiary PV Gas, “needs solutions” to meet its deadline.

Energy - Fri, March 28, 2025 | 4:06 pm GMT+7

Over $9 bln pledged for investment projects in central Vietnam province Binh Dinh

Over $9 bln pledged for investment projects in central Vietnam province Binh Dinh

Binh Dinh province on Friday handed over MoUs on investment cooperation, in-principle approvals and investment registration certificates to 62 projects worth over VND231 trillion ($9.03 billion).

Industries - Fri, March 28, 2025 | 4:05 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's giant Vingroup eyes mullti-billion-dollar renewable, LNG power projects

Vietnam's giant Vingroup eyes mullti-billion-dollar renewable, LNG power projects

Vietnam's leading private conglomerate Vingroup is seeking the government's permission to develop seven renewable energy projects worth $20-25 billion and a $5.5 billion LNG-fired power project from 2025-2030.

Energy - Fri, March 28, 2025 | 1:09 pm GMT+7

While the buzz around a market upgrade is back, who is this milestone for?

While the buzz around a market upgrade is back, who is this milestone for?

A key issue for the Vietnamese stock market is the underdevelopment of the institutional investor base. The dominance of retail investors can create heightened volatility, which, in turn, reduces the incentive for high-quality companies to list on the stock exchange, writes Gary Harron, head of securities services at HSBC Vietnam.

Consulting - Fri, March 28, 2025 | 10:31 am GMT+7