They are up 30.5 percent year-on-year

Four other local businesses are providing similar services, competing with Facebook Messenger, Line and Viber

State-run businesses continue to dominate the market

The ban will take effect on December 15

Vietnam's smartphone sales surging 27 percent in the first six months to 6 million units

Local networks believe they are ready for a nationwide launch this year, but officials say there's no rush

It is the last of three biggest mobile network operators to open its own retail chain

The Obi phones will be available next month with prices starting at around $130

3G in Vietnam has been criticized for its slow speed

The country is one of Apple's fastest growing markets    

Local streaming websites are not fretting, saying they have a lot of 'loyal users'  

Google's achilles heel is the mobile market