Real Estate in Vietnam

Vietnam Real Estate

First Published Date: October 1, 2016

Vietnam has come out a long way from the dark chapter of the Vietnam War. In a survey done by the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate, Vietnam ranks as the fourth emerging global real estate market after Brazil, China, and India. With its strong economy, growing middle class, growing urban population, rising tourists numbers, Vietnam real estate market will grow at a fast pace and no wonder global real estate investors are paying more attention to Vietnam real estate than ever before.

Before 1990, Vietnam had no real estate market as everything was owned by the state. As a result of the "Doi Moi" reform that was introduced in 1986, the first laws recognizing the concept of private ownership came into effect in 1990 and 1998. From 1998 to 2004, there were several revisions and reforms took place. Due to these new reforms and revisions, starting in 2004 the real estate market in Vietnam started to attract foreign interests and investments.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

Starting in 2009, legal foreign residents (after meeting certain conditions set by the government) in Vietnam are allowed to purchase property in certain areas under a 50-year leasehold. The property can also be resold after 12 months of ownership. Vietnam does not allow foreigners to have freehold property.

Vietnam is home to about 90 million people. The majority of its population live in the countryside. However, the residential sector is currently showing strong growth due to the rising income of the middle class and their willingness to purchase their own residential places. Demand for Vietnam’s two major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi is strong and it is estimated that the properties that are coming to the market will not be enough to meet its demand. The office market also shows strong demand for quality spaces, as the occupancy rate is around 95 percent. The leisure and resort markets are also going through strong demand. Vietnam has 3,000 kilometers coastline and its tourist numbers and accommodations have increased significantly. Hotels, resorts, and villas have high occupancy rates in this sector and real estate demands will increase in the coming years. The World Travel and Tourism Council predicts that Vietnam will be one of the top ten tourist destinations in the next ten years.

The property market in Vietnam still offers low entry prices with growth potential in the future. However, because it is an emerging market, transparency still can be an issue. Having a local partner or agent is a huge advantage dealing with real estate issues in Vietnam. Also, keep in mind that all real estate transactions are carried out in pure gold. Real estate investors need to pay close attention to gold prices and conversion rates.

How to Properly Destroy Credit Cards

Don’t Just Trash Your Cards in the Garbage

First Published Date: October 8, 2016

Our credit cards are getting smarter with embedded microchips and other security features, and so are credit card scammers and con artists. The magnetic strip and microchip on credit cards hold vital information and they can cause a serious data breach if they end up in the wrong hands.

It’s better to be safe than sorry. I have created a short video demonstrating how to destroy credit cards properly so scammers aren’t able to extract any information out of them. You can follow those steps I showed in the video to cut your credit cards properly. Here are some highlights you need to keep in mind:

– Never get rid of credit cards if everything is intact.

– Cut them into small pieces as shown in the video.

– Make sure the microchip, magnetic strip, name, numbers, and signature are completely destroyed.

– When you are done destroying, do not put them in one garbage bag or bin.

– Place the cards into several garbage bags over the course of several days.

– This way, no single person can obtain all the pieces and arrange them together.

Am I being overly paranoid? You may say so. However, if you talk to those who had their identity stolen, they will tell you that it turned their lives upside down and these little steps of precaution are nothing compared to the consequences you would face had your personal information ended up in the wrong hands.

To safeguard your valuable personal information, online and otherwise, always be cautious and use vigilance. Use your common sense as your first line of defence and then some.

Start Saving For Retirement Now If Just Started Your First Job

Retirement Saving Now

First Published Date: October 11, 2016

If you are new to the workforce or in the workforce for a while and still haven’t thought of retirement, follow these simple tips to start your retirement planning journey.

The Time is Now – It is never too late or too early to start your retirement saving journey. Start now if you haven’t started already. You need to get rid of your all excuses to start saving. Don’t wait.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

Start With Any Amount – If you are putting off saving because you can’t contribute large amounts, change your approach. As a start, don’t worry about how small or big the amounts are. Start with anything you can right now, even if it’s $25 a month. And gradually increase your monthly contributions.

Stick to It Like Crazy Glue – Use automatic electronic deductions from your bank account to invest for your future. Stick to investing like crazy glue and make it a lifetime habit. Do not allow yourself to take out money from your retirement savings, regardless of how urgently you need the money.

Downsides and Upsides of Free Trade, Global Economy, and China Spillover

OECD Cuts Global Economy Outlook

First Published Date: October 15, 2016

The International Monetary Fund, or IMF, recently mentioned in a report that spillovers from China could hamper the global economy. China should consider taking various steps, including a liberal approach on the Yuan and revamping weak firms.

A freer floating exchange rate and transparent policy change mechanism are a must for China to improve its economy and stop global spillovers. Also, the IMF cautions against China’s protectionist policies. Protectionist measures will likely depress global trade and economy in the short term and also in the long run.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

Harvard Economics professor Kenneth Rogoff recently told the BBC that China is the biggest threat to the global economy and that the economy is slowing down more than official figures. After triple-digit growth for years, the IMF predicts the expected economic growth rate to be only 6.6 percent this year.

OECD Downgrades Canada Economy

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, also downgrades the global and Canadian economy. The growth rate was lowered to 1.2 percent from 1.7 percent for Canada. The prediction for 2017 Canadian economy is down to 3.2 percent from a previous 3.3 percent, which is not that bad.

The world economy is expected to grow 2.9 percent in 2016. The earlier forecast for 2016 was 3.1 percent. The OECD believes a slowdown in international trade generating from Asia is the main reason for the global economic slowdown.

Downsides and Upsides of Free Trade

Also, the rise of anti-free trade movements in Western countries, such as recently seen in the Brexit vote in Britain and in the Trump movement in the U.S., do not paint a pretty picture for global growth. The downsides of freer global trade, such as losing jobs to China, are easy to see and the upsides, such as lower prices, more choices, etc., are harder to see.

Seoul Gets New Cross Hash Towers Skyscraper

The Cross # Towers in Seoul, South Korea

First Published Date: October 17, 2016

A Danish architectural firm BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) has recently announced a new skyscraper project in Seoul, South Korea that will add a new dimension to the world of skyscrapers. Their new project "The Cross Hash Towers" or "The Cross #Towers" will push the limits of building skyscrapers with these gravity-defying towers in
this modern age.

These two towers, 214 meters and 204 meters high, will be 21,000 square meter cross-hatched interlocking building with its ability to accommodate 600 residences and amenities such as a library, gallery, and kindergarten. The two towers will be connected by bridges at different levels, such as street and sky levels. The upper and lower bridges will have sky gardens on them and will offer breathtaking views of Seoul’s skyline.

Author/Copyright: Ahmed Dawn www.adawnjournal.com

The Cross Hash Towers will be positioned next to the future development zone Yongsan business district in Seoul. The tower suites will have a unique design to optimize spectacular views and sunlight. Also, at the ground level visitors at the arrival deck will be able to see the impressive links above and the submerged plaza beneath them.

Due to the Yongsan business district’s height restrictions for skyscrapers, architects came up with this unique design of these two towers – adding two bridges between them. For sure, Seoul’s skyline and skyscraper portfolio will change dramatically upon completion of The Cross # Towers.