Over 100 people line up on Orchard Street to purchase the new iPhone, early on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
Singapore is a usual destination for Vietnamese looking to purchase the latest iPhone models.
Photo by Minh Khoi
The Apple Store at the Changi Airport is also a high-priority location, especially for those looking to buy in large number for resale.
This year however, the number of Vietnamese people coming has reduced due to high costs and additional locations for buying iPhones.
Photo by Le Hoang
Tuan Thanh (C), a store owner in HCMC, said prices of plane tickets and hotel accommodations have nearly doubled due to certain major events in the country.
"As such, people have been switching to Thailand or wait for another week to buy official products in Vietnam. But over 90% of people lining up here are Vietnamese," he said.
Photo courtesy of Tuan Thanh
From Sept. 19, Apple Store began to receive registrations to buy iPhone models, and gave out numbering bracelets.
Thanh was the first one in line with bracelet No. 001. After receiving their bracelets, potential buyers can go off to other places, instead of having to wait for hours.
At 4:30 a.m. Friday, Apple Store began to allow customers to line up. People could begin buying phones starting 8 a.m.
Photo by Tuan Thanh
In Thailand, procedures are similar to those at the Apple Store Central World. This is a new location chosen by many Vietnamese thanks to its lower costs and shorter travel time.
Starting 6 a.m. Friday, hundreds of people have lined up in front of the store, waiting until opening time.
Photo by Tuan Anh
Tuan Anh, from Hanoi, said he did not register beforehand, so all iPhones 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max with desert titanium color have been sold out. Other models were still available.
Lining up in front of the Apple Store Central World however is more convenient and quickly than in previous years.
"However, chaos still happened at opening time, as many people tried to secure a phone for themselves, forcing employees to intervene," he said.
Video by Tuan Anh
Another option is the Apple Store in Taiwan.
Le Hieu, from Hanoi, said he came to the island as the flight was not too long, and because there was a higher chance at getting a phone.
"The Apple Store was not too crowded, and most customers were locals," Hieu said.
By 8 a.m. Friday, the first iPhones 16 were sold and brought to Vietnam. The earliest of them came to HCMC by around noon.
Certain stores said the first phones were being sold for VND70 million ($2,845) for a 1 TB version with desert titanium color.
Online pre-orders for iPhone 16 are also available in Vietnam starting Friday. Prices can start from VND23 million to VND35 million, depending on the models. The official products can be delivered as soon as Sept. 26.
