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editor's letter
Dear readers,
Once again, it’s shopping season in
Vietnam as the Lunar New Year ap-
proaches. However, with the global
and Vietnamese economy facing
challenges, consumers are tighten-
ing their belts and becoming ever
more discerning; it seems they now
want more, for less. Whether hunt-
ing for a tour package, hotel accom-
modation, a round of golf, fashion,
or a gadget, buyers are looking for
promotions and discounts in what
has become a buyer’s market. How-
ever, as one of our writers reports
this month, consumers need to be
on their guard, particularly in the
luxury market, with uncautious
shoppers unwittingly bagging fake
Gucci or Milano products smuggled
in from China.
Also in this issue, Timeout focuses
on a less-talked-about destination,
Phu Yen province. Like several oth-
er central coast localities, Phu Yen
has much potential for tourism de-
velopment. It is home to a 200 kilo-
metre stretch of coast where sea,
forest and plain areas converge
creating stunning landscapes along
gorgeous beaches. The province is
set to capitalise on this and turn
tourism into a front-line economic
sector. So on your next vacation,
don't miss the chance to discover
this hidden gem.
Yours sincerely
Nguyen Anh Tuan
Editor-in-Chief
living
10-15
Tightening belts
In these difficult economic times, consumers are increasingly
seeking out promotions and sales
16-17
Mean Streets
Lunar new year is increasing the danger level on the streets of
Vietnam
18-19
The murky world of luxury goods
Tax evasion and fake products - luxury companies are hitting
the headlines for all the wrong reasons
tourism
20-21
Peaceful Con Dao
Southeast Asia's island of the moment
lifestyle
42-43
Lock and load
A look at the latest craze among the country's youth -
paintballing
44-45
The pink choice
Homosexuality comes out of the shadows
profile
48-49
Leading the charge
The rise of property management firm, PMC
PRICE: VND52,000 if sold separately
cast & crew
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan
Deputy Editors-in-Chief
Le Trong Minh
Bui Duc Hai
Do Xuan Khanh
offices
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