DATE: 24 AUG 2017 TIME: 6.30pm to 10pm VENUE: Singapore Shopping Center Vietnam has been developing and changing towards her aim to being a fully industrialized country by 2020. She is committed to this objective in terms of participation at APEC, ASEAN FTA, WTO, and a growing network of free trade agreements. TBSS set up our 1st office at Ho Chi Minh City in 2014, in 2016, we have 2 offices in Ho Chi Minh City. In this seminar, we will share our experiences in terms of challenges and problems we faced in setting up the offices and growing our businesses in Vietnam. SGD30.00 per person payable via bank transfer (Maximum No. of Participants: 25). OUR BANK DETAILS: Bank Name: DBS BANK Bank Address: 12 MARINA BOULEVARD, DBS ASIA CENTRAL, MARINA BAY FINANCIAL CENTRE, TOWER 3 SINGAPORE 018982 Bank Code: 7171 Branch Code: 023 Bank Swift Code: DBSSSGSG Account Name: TBSS-TRUONG THUONG VIETNAM TRADING AND SERVICES Account No.: 0239042686

1. LEE Kar Heng
Setting Up
and
Doing Business
in
1

2. About the Seminar
Objectives
Topics
2

3. • To share our experiences in setting up companies
and running businesses in Vietnam
• To discuss the current Vietnam business
environment
• To highlight problems and challenges and how we
overcome them
• To offer services in business license acquisition and
business operations management
Objectives
3

4. 1. Entrepreneurship in Singapore and Vietnam
2. Setting Up and Doing Business in Vietnam
3. Challenges and Real Problems
4. Dealing with Locals
5. Industries and Profession Level to Enter
6. Sharing - Our Experiences
Topics
4

5. About the Speaker
Contacts
Work
Teaching Leader Roles
Professional Activities
Publications
Voluntary Works
5

6. Contacts
Name: LEE Kar Heng
Email: lkarheng@gmail.com
Mobile: +65 9191 6893, +84 1638 006 000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karheng
(personal interests, thoughts, comments and reflections)
Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karheng
(professional profiles and short articles on business and entrepreneurship)
Academia: https://edithcowan.academia.edu/KarHengLee
(technical papers, students’ projects, course materials of academic programs and
short courses)
Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/karheng1
(company information of TBSS Companies and Partners)
6

7. Academics
 Top 3 student, GCE ‘O’ Level, Tiong Bahru Secondary School
(TBSS)
 Diploma in Electronics and Communications Engineering, SP
 B.Tech(Hons), NUS
 Dean’s List in 4 out of 8 Semester, B.Tech(Hons), NUS
 Asia Compaq Book Prize, Top student in Year 1998,
B.Tech(Hons), NUS
 M.Eng Electrical Engineering, NUS
 M.Sc Control, Information and System Engineering, Sheffield
(UK)
 Certified Teacher in Higher Education, SEDA (UK) and TP
 Certificate in Principles of Continuous Wave Radar, GeogiaTech
(USA)
 Ph.D Engineering Management MHU (USA)
7

8. • TBSS Group (Current Job)
• Ministry of Home Affairs
– Police Technology Department (Maritime)
• Defense Science and Technology Agency
– Sensors
• DSO National Laboratories
– Radar Systems
• Maritime and Port Authority
– Electronics and Communications
Work
8

9. • Temasek Polytechnic
– Telecommunications
• Republic of Singapore Navy
– Fire Control Systems
Work
9

10. • TBSS Group
– Designed, developed and delivered
professional courses:
• Electronic Warfare for the Republic of
Singapore Air Force
• Radar Systems for Operations and
Maintenance for Raytheon Anschuetz,
Singapore
• Radar System in Aviation, Maritime and
Defense for Air Defense Operations
Command, Singapore Technologies and
Police Technical Department
• LTE with Military Applications for Army
Signal Institution
• Understand EMC for Ammunition
Command and DSTA
Current Job
10

11. • TBSS Group
– Organzied and delivered lecture on
Coastal Surveillance System for the
Border Defense Force, Vietnam
– Installed, Commissioned, Integrated
and Tested 2 Vessel Traffic Radars for
the Port of Hai Phong, Vietnam
– Installed, Commissioned, Integrated
and Tested 3 Vessel Traffic Radars for
the Port of Cai Mep, Vietnam
– Installed, Commissioned, Integrated
and Tested 1 Coastal Surveillance
Radar and AIS Transponder for the
Vietnam Navy
Current Job
11

12. • TBSS Group
– Installed, Commissioned, Integrated
and Tested 2 Radar Training Systems
(PSR and FMCW) for Vietnam Military
Academy
– Installed, Commissioned, Integrated
and Tested 1 Surface Movement Radar
for the Civil Port Authority, Pakistan
– Installed, Tested and Configured
Security and Surveillance for Bowker
Garment Vietnam (the Addidas and
Reebok Apparels)
Current Job
12

13. • TBSS Group
– Installed, Tested and Configured
Security and Surveillance for Bowker
Garment Cambodia (the Addidas and
Reebok Apparels)
– Installed, Tested and Configured Traffic
Analysis System for Apple Premium
Store in Vietnam and Cambodia
– Acquired Business Licenses, Set Up
Offices and Manage Business
Operations for Singapore Companies
in Vietnam
Current Job
13

14. • SIM Universty
– B.Eng, B.IT, B.Sc
• University of Newcastle (PSB Academy)
– B.Eng
• RMIT
– B.Eng
• University of Southern Queensland
(Informatics Academy)
– B.Eng, B.Tech
• Edith Cowan University (SMF Institute of
Higher Learning)
– B.Eng, M.Sc
Teachings - University Programs
14

15. Teachings
Lecturer/Subject Head, Diploma in Telecommunications, Temasek
Polytechnic (Full Time), RF Test and Measurements, Integrated Project
Lecturer, Diploma in Electronics, Temasek Polytechnic (Part Time/Full Time),
Circuits, Digital Techniques, Digital Circuits and Systems, Control
Engineering
Lecturer, Specialist Diploma in Wireless Communications, Temasek
Polytechnic (Part Time), RF Techniques, Wireless Personal Communication
Lecturer/Coordinator/Developer, Basic Radar Theory and Tracking Course,
Temasek Polytechnic (Professional Short Course), Airborne Radar, 2D
Surveillance Radar, Radar Tracking Techniques and Algorithms
Lecturer, NTC-2 in Electronics Engineering, ITE (Full Time/Part Time),
Computer Technology, Electronic and Electrical Principles, Electronic and
Electrical Applications
Tutor/Project Supervisor/Course Writer, Bachelor of Science of Technology
and Bachelor of Engineering, SIM University (Part Time), Technology
Project, Info-Communication Technology, Wireless Communication Systems,
Digital Communications
15

16. Teachings
Lecturer/Developer, Diploma in Electronics Engineering, AIT TAFE Center
(Part Time), Electrical Principles, Amplifiers, Mathematics
Lecturer, Bachelor of Engineering/IT, University of Southern Queensland,
Informatics (Part Time), Linear Systems and Control, Algebra and Calculus
II, Discrete Mathematics, Fields and Waves, Communication Systems,
Computer Systems and Communications Protocol, Engineering Problem
Solving 3
Lecturer/Tutor/Project Supervisor, Bachelor of Engineering, Northumbria
University, Informatics (Part Time), Data Communications, Electronic
Circuit Design and Manufacture, Digital Signal Processing, Engineering
Project
Lecturer, Bachelor of Engineering, RMIT University, IMC Technology (Part
Time), Radio Communication Systems Design
Lecturer/Tutor/Project Supervisor, Bachelor of Engineering, The University
of Newcastle, PSB Academy (Part Time), Introduction to
Telecommunications, Digital Communications, Final Year Project, Signals
and Systems 16

17. Teachings
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Bachelor of Engineering, Edith Cowen University,
SMa Institute of Higher Learning (Part Time), Communication Systems 1,
Propagation and Antennas, Wireless Communications, Control Systems,
Engineering Practicum, Project Development
17

18. Professional Courses
Lecturer/Course Developer, Customized WiMAX Course, Rhode and
Schwarz, Singapore, WiMAX Architecture and Standards, Physical Layers
and MAC Layer, Security and WiMAX Network Design
Lecturer/Course Developer, Basic Radar Theory and Tracking Course,
Ministry of Defence, Airborne Radar, 2D Surveillance Radar, Radar
Tracking Techniques and Algorithms
Lecturer/Course Developer, Basic Radar System Engineering, Ministry of
Defence, Introduction to Radar, Radar Plot Extraction and Tracking, Radar
Tracking Algorithms
Lecturer/Course Developer, Basic Phased Array Radar Systems, Ministry
of Defence, Introduction to Antennas, Phased Array Antenna, Beam
Forming, Adaptive Processing
Lecturer/Course Developer, Wireless Local Area Network, Ngee Ann
Polytechnic, IEEE 802.11, Phyical Layer, MAC layer, Security
Lecturer/Course Developer, Electronic Warfare Seminar, Republic of
Singapore Air Force, ES, EP, Radar Systems, Communications System
C SEE
18

19. Professional Courses
Lecturer/Course Developer, Radar for NTU, Nanyang Technological
University, Radar Block Diagram, Radar Equation, Radar Waveforms
Lecturer/Seminar Organizer, Coastal Surveillance System, Border Defence
Force (VIETNAM), System Configuration, Sensors
Lecturer, Electronic Warfare for Republic of Singapore Air Force, Republic
of Singapore Air Force, EW, Jamming, Radar, Communications Theory
Lecturer/Course Developer, Radar Theory for Operations and
Maintenance with Raytheon Radars, Raytheon Anschutz, Radar Theory,
Radar Block Diagram, Radar Equation, Radar Components, Radar
Maintenance, Safety and EMI/EMC
Lecturer/Course Developer, Long Term Evolution (LTE) with Military
Applications, Army Signal Institute and DSO National Laboratories, LTE
Network Architecture, Air Interface, Mobility, Security Issues,
Applications
19

20. Professional Courses
Lecturer/Course Developer, Understand Electromagnetic
Compatibility, SAF Ammo Command, DSTA, EMC/EMI, MIL-STD-461, MIL-
STD-464, FCC Part 15, HERO, HERP, HERF
Lecturer/Course Developer, Radar Systems for Defense, Maritime and
Aviation, RSAF, PTD, ST,Radar Block Diagram, Radar Equation, AESA
Radars, Phased-Array Radars, Pulse Compression, Matched Filtering,
Diversity Techniques
20

21. Professional Activities
• Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
 Member, 1995 – present
 Secretary, Education Chapter, IEEE Singapore Section, 2006 –
2007
 Chairman, Education Chapter, IEEE Singapore Section, 2008 –
2009
 Chairman, Education Chapter, IEEE Singapore Section, 2015 –
2016
 Member, Educational Activities Board, IEEE Region 10
21

22. Professional Activities
• Association of Old Crows (AOC)
 Member, 2015 – present
 President, AOC Singapore Chapter, 2016 –
present
• Institute of Technical Education
• Curriculum Reviewer - Entreprenuership for
Innovation, 2016
• Vietnamese Association in Singapore (VAS)
 Senior Advisor, Science and Technology, 2015
- present
• Inderscience Publishers
 Article Reviewer, 2015 – Present
22

23. Publications
1. K. H. Lee and M. S. Leong, “A Study on Coupling Effect Between
Antennas Installed on a Common Structure”, IEEE Asia Pacific
Microwave Conference, 1999.
2. K. H. Lee, “Antenna Coupling”, B.Tech(Hons) Project Report, NUS,
1999.
3. K. H. Lee, S. A. Hamilton and M. S. Leong, “A Tri-Band Circular
Polarized Microstrip Antenna”, IEEE APS/URSI Intl. Conf., 2002.
4. K. H. Lee, “A Simulation of Tracking Algorithms Used in Radar Data
Processing”, M.Sc Dissertation, University of Sheffield, 2001.
5. K. H. Lee, “Design and Development of Broadband and Multiband
Antennas”, M.Eng Research Thesis, NUS, 2003.
6. J. W. Teo and K. H. Lee, “The Propagation Properties Of
Electromagnetic Waves In The Application Of Through-Wall Radar
Sensors”, NUS Science Research Congress, 2003.
23

24. Publications
7. X. Q. Tan and K. H. Lee, “A Study on Data Fusion Techniques Used in
Multiple Radar Tracking”, NUS Science Research Congress, 2004.
8. B. Moh and K. H. Lee, “A Study on the use of Frequency Modulated
Continuous Wave Radar in the Detection of Swimmers”, NUS Science
Research Congress, 2005.
9. K. Li, T. S. Tan, J. Tan and K. H. Lee, “Taxi on The Way”, ScilabTEC
International Conference, France, 2015.
10. K. H. Lee, “Tutorial on Radar System Engineering”, IEEE Advanced
Technologies for Communications, Vietnam, 2015.
11. K. H. Lee, “Engineers can be Good Entrepreneurs Too”, IEEE Education
Chapter, Singapore Section, 2016.
12. K. H. Lee, "EW & Cyber - The Importance of Joint Space", Electronic
Warfare Asia, Malaysia, 2016.
24

25. Publications
13. K. H. Lee, "Protecting the Commerical Radar and Communication
Systems", Electronic Warfare Singapore, 2017.
14. K. H. Lee, "Using Real and Practical-Oriented Training System in Radar
Technology Training", International Conference in Education and
Distance Learning, Maldives, 2017.
25

26. Setting Up and Doing Business in
Vietnam
Entrepreneurship in Singapore and
Vietnam
26

27. Entreprenuership
• Includes setting up a business, taking on financial
risks and managing business opportunties with the
hope to success
• A successful entreprenuer
• millionaire? billionaire?
• luxuous vehicles? big houses?
• feed family well
• When one starts a business, the usually objective is
to substitute fixed salary with profits earned via
doing business
• hence, when one achieves substituting fixed salary and
survive, he or she is successful in his or her entreprenuership
?
27

28. Businesses in Singapore
• TBSS is a specialist company
• specialized in radar, coastal surveillance, vessel traffic
system (VTS), industry surveillance and security, .
• provides training, consultancty, engineering services,
project management in specialized areas
• one-stop business service: business license, business
operations, business maintenance
• In Singapore, we have to work under big
brothers in such jobs, ST, NCS, ...
• Limited opportunities
• “why don't you work for us?”
28

29. Businesses Outside Singapore
• Where?
• Vietnam - offers greater
opportunity in
specialized domains
(radar, coastal
surveillance, VTS, ...)
• Coastline: 3,260
kilometers!!!
• Not fully exposed to
advanced technologies
29

30. Businesses and Entreprenuership in
Vietnam
• “Vietnam is not known as a country of
innovative risk-takers, but across the big cities,
young entrepreneurs have been breaking out of
the conservative mould and taking a shot at
starting their own businesses.”, CNA 28 Nov
2015
• “Young Vietnamese are more more enterprising
than Singaporeans in the service and tourism
industries.”, TBSS
• online shops, freelance tour services, delivery, ...
30

31. Businesses and Entreprenuership in
Vietnam
• Vietnam joined the WTO in 2007,
• gradually liberalising the retail market
• easing regulations and previous laws that had required
specific planning permission for any foreign-owned
outlet larger than 500 sq metres
• Big names are moving into the country offering
more choices to the Vietnamese consumer
• Under WTO agreement, since January 2015
Vietnam has allowed foreign retailers to set up
businesses with 100% foreign capital
31

32. Businesses and Entreprenuership in
Vietnam
• According to a report released by the Ministry of
Industry and Trade (MIT) in early 2017, foreign
retail enterprises now hold
• 17% retail market share in shopping centres and
supermarkets
• 70% in convenience stores
• 15% in minimarts, and
• around 50% in online, TV and phone sales
32

33. Singaporeans in Vietnam
• There are basically two types:
• employed ones and entreprenuers
• Employed ones are largely deployed by their
parent companies to work in Vietnam
• live a more luxuous lifestyle
• solve daily routine problems
• have understanding of Vietnam culture but not the
real ground problems
• many still can't speak Vietnamese even after living in
Vietnam for many years
33

34. Singaporeans in Vietnam
• Entrepreneurs in Vietnam are largely problem
solvers and achievers
• experienced hardship living in Vietnam
• travel local modes, i.e., motorbikes
• went through all the processes to get works done
• largely speak Vietnamese
• have a real understanding of locals and problems
facing
• Did Singapore help? or is their assistance useful?
34

35. Setting Up and Doing Business in
Vietnam
Setting Up Business in Vietnam
35

36. • Issued by the Ministry of Planning and
Investment (MPI)
• Administered by Provincial Department of
Planning and Investment (DPI) outside Hanoi
• Do you need a law firm to obtain the business
license?
• Same question, do you need to law firm to
register with ACRA?
• No, but many law firms in Vietnam will advise you
to consult with a law firm for advice and service
offering
• You need a partner who knows the procedure,
requirements, conditions and DPI personnel
The Business License
36

37. • A private business enterprise
• owned by an individual and self-responsibility in
all their properties for all activities of the
enterprise
• each individual shall be entitled to establish a
private enterprise
• has legal status
• does not issue any securities
The Business License
37

38. • A Share holding company
– Has charter capital divided into equal portions called
shares
– Shareholders are only liable for the debts and other
property obligations of the enterprise to the extent of
capital contributed to the business
– Shareholders have the right to freely transfer their
shares to another person, except in some cases
– Shareholders may be organizations or individuals;
minimum number of shareholders is three and there is
no limit for the maximum number
– Has legal personality as from the date of issuance of the
certificate of business registration
– Has the right to issue securities to raise capital
The Business License
38

39. • A limited liability company with one
member**
– common with Singaporean companies
– owned by an organization or an individual
– owner is responsible for the debts and other
property obligations of the company to the extent
of the company's charter capital
– has legal personality as from the date of issuance
of the certificate of business registration
– may not issue shares
– company name carries - Cong Ty TNHH (company
limited)
The Business License
39

40. • A limited liability company with two or more
members
– used to be common: 1 Singaporean with 1
Vietnamese
– Members responsible for the debts and other
property obligations of the enterprise to the
extent the amount of capital committed to the
enterprise
– Members can be organizations, individuals and
the number of members shall not exceed fifty
– Has legal personality as from the date of issuance
of the certificate of business registration
– May not issue shares
– Common name carries Cong Ty CP (Shareholding
Company)
The Business License
40

41. Setting Up and Doing Business in
Vietnam
Maintaining the Business
41

42. • Major taxes in Vietnam
• corporate income tax
• import and export tax
• value added tax (VAT)
• personal income tax
• in some special areas, there are other taxes
• The corporate income tax is currently at about 22%
• Export tax is 0% unless special cases
• Import tax varies according to tariff
• VAT is mostly at 10%-15%, in some cases 0% or 5%
• Personal Income tax varies according to income level
and is applicable from VND 9,000,000
Tax Liability
42

43. • Companies are required
• to keep accounting books
• prepare and submit tax reports on monthly, quarterly
and annually
• Foreign companies are also required to have
financial audit taken before the financial year end
• The financial year in Vietnam is from January to
December and the deadline to submit financial
report is March 30th for the previous year
• Other reports are required to be submitted at
other State agencies
• TBSS provides full compliance tax reporting
service
Tax Reporting
43

44. Setting Up and Doing Business in
Vietnam
Challenges and Real Problems
44

45. • Singaporeans travel overseas a lot, it is different
when one travels for leisure
• On holiday you likely see what Vietnam has to
offer rather than to hear the problems they have
• Entreprenuers need to observe and understand
the problems Vietnam markets face
• Many came to Vietnam and returned with
following comments:
• “we can distribute Vietnam coffee in Singapore”
• “we can open a Singaporean Kopi Thiam here”
• “we can bring Vietnam made garment back to sell”
• “we can open a prawn mee stall here”
Understanding of Market
45

46. Setting Up and Doing Business in
Vietnam
Dealing with Locals
46

47. • If you are deployed here by your company, there is
no need to unless it is your interest to learn
• per highlighted, there are Singaporeans who live in
Vietnam for decade but can't speak or speak on word-
by-word Vietnamese
• local staff in large company speak English or Mandarin
• If you are here to run your own business, it is
largely necessary to learn so as
• to speak to the Government officers
• to instruct your staff
• to communicate to partners/suppliers/contractors
• to understand their communications
• to run errants, purchase materials, ....
Speaking Vietnamese
47

48. • How did I learn?
• Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdqayKCVQ
hmDl2qHZgxsDSw
• Books (with CD)
• Music
• Movies
• Go out to speak
• It is possible to learn Vietnamese from zero
knowledge
Speaking Vietnamese
48

49. Setting Up and Doing Business in
Vietnam
Industries and Profession Level to
Enter
49

50. Setting Up and Doing Business in
Vietnam
Sharing - Our Experiences
50

51. • Ministers' Visits and National Day Reception
• meet fellow Singaporeans
• PM Lee and Delegates' visit to Vietnam in
March 2017,
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txp_68T-
G3A
• at 0.51, TBSS was discussing with Mr Baey Yam
Keng on being an entreprenuer in Vietnam
Interaction
51

52. Interaction
52

53. • TBSS is committed to
CSR
• donated and supported
charity bodies for the
wellness of Vietnamese
and Singaporeans
CSR
53

54. • Do not just talk about monies,
monies, monies, ...
• Raise professional image
• Publish papers
• Attend conferences
• Volunteer in professional bodies
Professional Image
54