At many moments in June, the prices of 2012 iPads in Vietnam were equal to that in Hong Kong with the price of 13.3 million dong for 4G 16GB model. 

The Nghia in Kim Lien residential quarter in Hanoi, decided to award himself a 4G 32 GB third-generation iPad during his trip to Hong Kong last month. Besides, Nghia also bought two other 16GB iPads, hoping to make profit when re-selling them in Hanoi.

However, after returning to Vietnam, he realized that the prices of iPads in Vietnam are not much higher than that at Apple Store in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, domestic iPad shops even offered gifts to buyers and installed software free of charge for clients.

Finally, Nghia decided to sell the two iPads at a loss of 200,000 dong for each. Nghia believed that he made a right decision, because if he had kept hesitant to sell the iPads at a loss, the prices would have gone down further, thus causing bigger losses.

The iPad prices have been falling down continuously over the last two months. iPad 2012 with 4G and Wi-Fi on June 18 was sold at 13.4 million dong for 16 GB version. Prior to that, the price dropped to 13.3 million dong late last week, which was approximately close to the price in Hong Kong, at 13.24 million dong.

Meanwhile, the 32 GB version was sold at 15.5 million dong, and 64Gb at 17.6 million dong. The models with only Wi-Fi connection have been imported in small quantity, while they were retailed at 11.6 million dong only.

The prices applied at Apple Store in Hong Kong are believed to be the lowest among the Apple’s store system in the world, which is also the favorite source of supply for Vietnamese importers.

However, if counting on the gifts offered by the retailers to clients, plus the free software installation or free 3G simcards, it is clearly less costly to possess a 4G iPad 2012 version in Vietnam than any elsewhere in the world.

In the past, the Vietnamese individuals, who returned from the trips abroad, always brought iPads to Vietnam to resell for profit. However, this type of business does not bring profit any more. That explains why there are few ad pieces post by individuals about iPad sale on the familiar forums for hi-tech product fans, such as 5giay, muare or tinhte.

As for the products imported from the manufacturer through official channel, the prices remain unchanged at 11.69 million dong for 16 GB version with Wi-Fi connection only. The prices are higher, at 13.78 million dong and 16.15 million dong for 32 GB and 64 GB versions. The versions with 4G are more expensive, sold at 15.24 million dong for 16 GB model.

The owner of a hi-tech product shop, who asked to be not named, revealed that private shops still import iPads from Hong Kong. However, the dealers have found the sources which provide products at good wholesale prices, which are lower than the retail prices quoted on the websites. Therefore, the prices of iPads in the Vietnamese market are just a little higher than the retail prices in Hong Kong.

Especially, at some moments, when the supply was profuse, the prices were forced down when shops tried to boost sales, thus benefiting customers. However, the prices have moved up slightly again, since the supply has become a little short. 

The sale prices of the third generation iPad in 2012 are believed to be more reasonable than the sale prices of the second generation products in 2011. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi connection were sold at 13.8-14 million dong, while the price levels had been maintained until the year end, though both the products had the same starting price at 629 dollars.

Source: So Hoa/ VNN