Apple launched its online Apple Store in Vietnam on Thursday, expanding its business in what is quickly becoming an important overseas market for the iPhone maker.
People in the country can now purchase Apple products directly from the site and have them delivered across the South Asian country. An online store will also allow consumers to consult experts to inform their purchasing decisions and customize certain orders with tools such as the Apple Watch Studio.
Customers can also personalize their iPad, AirTag, AirPods and Apple Pencil with text, numbers and emojis. This launch also brings Apple’s trade-in program to the country, along with a financing option of up to 24 months for various products with a Vietnam-based digital wallet called MoMo.
“Customers are always at the center of everything we do, and we are excited to bring the Apple Store online to Vietnam,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of retail, in a statement.
“With today’s expansion, we’re proud to offer customers an incredible new way to discover and purchase our great products and services, connect with our knowledgeable team members, and experience the best of Apple.”
According to the research firm IDC, Apple shipped 1.75 million units last year, ranking fourth in the market with a market share of 13.1%. But the country is playing a bigger role in Apple’s ever-expanding China+1 manufacturing expansion strategy.
Apple is greatly expanding its retail presence in multiple countries. Last month, the company opened its first stores in India in Mumbai and New Delhi.
Vietnam is also an important manufacturing hub for Apple as it plans to move production out of China. In February, the South China Morning Post reported that Foxconn, a longtime manufacturer of Apple devices, has signed a multi-decade lease on a plot in Vietnam to ramp up production.
The Cupertino-based company already makes devices such as Airpods and Apple Watches in the country, but it reportedly plans to start manufacturing MacBooks in Vietnam this year. Several other manufacturers are also investing millions of dollars in investments to increase production capacity with new locations.