NBS Consulting heads to Vietnam

Company has set up JV firm in Vietnam with offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City.

NBS Consulting, a local boutique public relations consultancy, partners with Jolen Consulting in Vietnam to form a joint-venture public relations consulting firm, NBS-Jolen Company Limited (NBS-Jolen). Jolen Consulting is a full service public relations and marketing communications boutique agency in Vietnam, according to an NBS Consulting report.

Incorporated in Hanoi last month, NBS-Jolen operates in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. NBS-Jolen will leverage on the growing market in Vietnam and the increasing bilateral business investments between both countries to offer a comprehensive suite of marketing and corporate communications services to international companies that are expanding into the emerging markets of Indochina. Local Singapore companies and multinationals that are based or regionally headquartered in Singapore will be able to tap on the market know-how and experience of the combined strengths of NBS and Jolen to expand into Vietnam.

“Vietnam is currently the hotbed for foreign investments looking for emerging markets potential. Singapore companies are well placed to assist multinationals based here to expand into Vietnam. We understand how international organisations work and at the same time we have the understanding and cultural advantage of knowing how to work in another Southeast Asian country. Under the auspice of ASEAN, and the strong ties between the two countries, we are convinced of the benefits of having a footprint in Vietnam,” said Daphne Liew, managing director of NBS Consulting.

“The partnership with NBS is a significant milestone for Jolen. Our combined strengths and synergies now rest with NBS-Jolen and, this gives us a competitive edge in servicing existing and new clients in both markets,” said Phuong Nguyen (Joyce), general manager of Jolen Consulting and NBS-Jolen.

According to Ms Annabelle Tok, group marketing manager of Transition Systems Asia, a client of NBS and now NBS-Jolen, “Vietnam is a growth market for Transition Systems. As a client of NBS in Singapore, we can now expect the same level of service from NBS-Jolen without having to re-orientate a local PR firm in Vietnam about us.”

Singapore is Vietnam's fifth-largest trading partner and its fifth-largest investor as reported last year. The setting up of NBS-Jolen is timely to help bridge the marketing and communications needs of international businesses especially those actively operating in both Vietnam and Singapore. Through this partnership, NBS will bring its established experience, knowledge, skills and professionalism into Vietnam where public relations is still a nascent industry.