INVESTMENT in Vietnam's property market is heating up and this year is likely to see numerous transactions, according to property agent Richard Ellis.
''With strong prospects that the United States embargo on trade and investment will soon be lifted, property investors and developers from around the world are positioning themselves to capitalise on the market's potential,'' said Mr Chris Thrift, director of Richard Ellis.
''Even with the embargo in place, Vietnam will offer more attractive growth prospects than China in the coming years.'' Other investment opportunities are also attracting increasing interest.
There are four types of foreign investment: a business contract, a joint-venture company, a 100 per cent foreign-owned company and a build-operate-transfer arrangement.
Mr Martin Adams, director of Hongkong's Vietnam Fund Management, said that foreigners needed a minimum contribution of 30 per cent to start a joint venture.
''The typical structure for a joint-venture company is for the Vietnamese partner to hold at least 25 per cent of the equity,'' he said.
