Overview

In Vietnam some major local governments like Hanoi, HCMC, and Danang have been expanding the networks of automatic vending machines for the recent 5 years. Originally, the spread of vending machines had been delayed in Vietnam . It is said that the first installment of an automatic vending machine is in September 2016. The purpose to set it up was mainly for overseas tourists who had to pay too much money to the local vendors, not for more convenience for the people. As for the locations of automatic vending machines, it has been mainly in industrial parks where security measures and maintenance systems are easier than on-street installations and in residential areas developed by major real estate developers, therefore there are less opportunity to be recognized in daily life. By 2018, the number of automatic vending machines installed in Hanoi was about 160, which were treated as a test operation.

With respect to its test operation, according to the statistics of People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem District in Hanoi, the sales result from 160 machines installed in Hanoi for 4 months from September 2016 was that 214,383 units of beverages were sold and the sales revenue was VND 1,8 billion. A lot of young people and tourists welcomed automatic vending machines because they could buy something to drink anytime they wanted on the street even in the midnight when most shops were closing.

In response to the result of the test operation, in 2018 major cities like Hanoi, HCMC, Danang has issued a decree that each city started installing and increasing automatic vending machines with target numbers to put by 2020 to make more accessible for people. According to the decisions issued by the city of Hanoi, the objectives are ” transformation of retail business”, ” improvement of living convenience”, and “civilization / modernization”. The decree also called for expansion of outdoor installations in parks, bus stops, scenic spots, etc., while promoting the introduction of low power consumption, leakage / short circuit prevention compatible models in preparation for situations where the power supply becomes unstable due to unseasonable weather. As a security measure, the installation of a security camera is also one of the conditions for model selection and bidding.