Price Setting Behavior in Vietnam: Evidence from a Survey

Abstract

The paper aims to investigate the price setting behavior of Vietnamese firms, by analyzing the results of a price survey. We find that it is costly and difficult for firms to discover their competitors’ prices, because of differentiation. The majority of firms review and change their prices both at regular intervals and in response to specific events, mainly taking into account current market developments. We also reveal that the customer relations and the existence of contracts are the two most important reasons for price rigidity. Lastly, firms seem to respond asymmetrically to positive and negative shocks.