VietNamNet Bridge – While the mobile apps industry has been running like the wind over the last few years, Vietnam now learns how to walk by toddling.

The first step is the hardest

Hoang Van Hau decided to start up his business with a software product applied to taxi service - PingTaxi.

After setting up a business in June 2013, also named PingTaxi, Hau put the software into the most popular app stores such as Apple Store, Google Play or Windows Phone. Smart phone users can download the app free of charge which allows them to easily find and call for the taxis nearest to them.

However, Hau met a lot of problems. While the downloads by taxi users increased rapidly, taxi drivers did not use the app. As a result, PingTaxi turned useless, while clients and taxi firms still have to make contact through switchboard operators as they used to.

Whiteboard, an app developed by Greengar in HCM City also met the same problem as PingTaxi.

The app allowed users to write, draw or communicate on mobile devices’ screen with touches. In classes, if teachers and students all have mobile devices installed with Whiteboard, the teachers can send their messages to all the students at the same time.

However, like PingTaxi, the software could only be useful if there are two-way interactions between the two parties with compatible devices.

One of the biggest problems of Vietnamese apps is that users do not hear about their existence.

“Fuzel”, developed by Not A Basement, a Vietnamese studio, is a typical example. It was recognized as one of the best new apps in 40 countries in a selection in November 2013. More than 2 million downloads of Fuzel has been reported so far.

The number is really low if compared with the two current popular apps of the same kind – Instagram or Camera 360. However, experts believe that the Vietnamese product is in no way inferior to the two apps in the product quality and features.

Those, who use the apps, have left good comments about the app, while it has got 5 stars on app stores.

Not A Basement, with the staff of very young engineers, also the owner of another favorite app – Manga Rock 2.

Vietnamese have also gained big achievements in mobile games, which is believed to be the hottest segment of the mobile app industry. VNG, Naisorp Colorbox, Bluesea, TeaMobi, Pine Entertainment are the Vietnamese names well known in the market for their many apps available on domestic and international app stores.

A new industry in Vietnam

It is not early now to affirm that the mobile app industry is taking shape in Vietnam.

Experts said the establishment and development of the new industry in Vietnam is foreseeable, because it is a growing tendency in the world.

According to Canalys, in the first quarter of 2013, iOS alone saw 74 percent of the total profit coming from the sale of apps. Meanwhile, ABI Research believes that the total turnover from mobile apps would reach $46 billion by 2016.

Pic Chat, a Vietnamese potential app, reportedly has successfully called for $1.5 million worth of investments from four investment funds from Japan and Singapore. The developer of the app is Cinnamon, based in Hanoi.

TBKTSG