Apple launched its online Apple Store in Vietnam on Thursday, to expand its business in what is quickly becoming an important overseas market for the iPhone maker.
People in the country can now purchase Apple products directly from the site and have them delivered across the South Asian country. An online store will also allow consumers to consult experts to inform their purchasing decisions and customize certain orders with tools such as the Apple Watch Studio.
Customers can also personalize their iPad, AirTag, AirPods and Apple Pencil with text, numbers and emojis. This launch also brings Apple’s trade-in program to the country, along with a financing option of up to 24 months for various products with a Vietnam-based digital wallet called MoMo.
“Customers are always at the center of everything we do, and we are excited to bring the Apple Store online to Vietnam,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of retail, in a statement.
“With today’s expansion, we’re proud to offer customers an incredible new way to discover and purchase our great products and services, connect with our knowledgeable team members, and experience the best of Apple.”
This is reported by the research agency IDCApple shipped 1.75 million units last year and ranked fourth in the market with 13.1% market share. But the country is playing a bigger role in Apple’s ever-expanding China+1 manufacturing expansion strategy.
Apple is greatly expanding its retail presence in multiple countries. Last month, the company opened its first stores in India in Mumbai and New Delhi.
Vietnam is also an important manufacturing hub for Apple as it plans to move production out of China. In February, South China Morning Mail reported that longtime Apple device maker Foxconn has signed a multi-decade lease on a plot in Vietnam to ramp up production.
The Cupertino-based company already makes devices such as Airpods and Apple Watches in the country, but is reportedly planning start making MacBooks in Vietnam this year. Multiple other manufacturers are also investing millions of dollars in investments to increase production capacity with new facilities.
