That's weird. Where do you live? I'm Vietnamese and last time I was home, Macbook(s) and iPad were quite popular at the airport and cafe. I'm from Da Nang.
I've been in a bunch of places in the south but I'm living in Nha Trang now. I see tons of laptops around but I have yet to see a Vietnamese using a Macbook. Maybe the people that can afford to fly can also afford a more expensive laptop?
I do see a fair number of iPhones around though. Maybe because comparable Android phones aren't significantly cheaper.
If you've been to Hanoi to HCMC, it would not be hard to spot Apple shops along main shopping streets (there must be a demand for such shops, right?). I agree that Apple laptop is more expensive but to the middle class in big city that would not be a big deal. The main issue with Vietnam market is that people still associate computer in general with Windows, thus they don't want to make the switch. The first reaction I got from my friends 5 years ago when they knew I was using a mac was "Does it have microsoft office?".
Regarding the iPhone, Vietnamese are crazy for the iPhone 4. Rich kids want cool looking stuff, they don't care about the price.
Anecdotal evidence against anecdotal evidence against more anecdotal evidence.
There is extensive market research on the distribution of brands. People estimate proliferation by analyzing user agents of web site visitors, surveys, sales numbers, and more -- and even those numbers often vary greatly.
Guessing the distribution, or even forecasting a trend, based on your analysis of the 5 people sitting next to you in a café or how many Mac Stores exist in your vicinity doesn't contribute to the discussion.
I wouldn't be surprised to see more Apple hardware in more middle class areas of the larger cities where people have the money to spend and are engaged more aggressively in conspicuous consumption. Here in Nha Trang there are at least five large PC shops but only one tiny Apple shop.
Compared to the U.S. it's cheap but still too expensive for many natives. I can fly from Nha Trang to Saigon for about $40 but I can take a bus for $5-$8.
