Group 1 - From 2026, housing loans and social housing sales and rentals in Cameroon will no longer be exempt from VAT, applying a reduced rate of 10% instead of the standard rate of 19.25% [1] - The Ministry of Finance's tax authority views this adjustment as a restructuring of the tax system, aiming to correct inefficiencies caused by the previous exemption policy while still being lower than the normal tax rate [1] - The tax reform is expected to generate over 30 billion Central African Francs in additional revenue for the treasury in 2026 [1] Group 2 - Cameroon faces a significant housing shortage, with an estimated gap of 2.5 million social housing units in recent years [1] - A government initiative launched in 2009 aimed to construct 10,000 social housing units, but only about 2,000 units have been delivered in major cities after 16 years, indicating challenges in project implementation [2] - The introduction of a 10% VAT on social housing activities is likely to increase project costs and make social housing less accessible, potentially affecting partnerships between the government and private operators [2]

Core Viewpoint - The recent housing rush in major Vietnamese cities, particularly Hanoi, is driven by a combination of genuine demand and speculative rumors, leading to soaring property prices and significant market interest [3][4][10]. Group 1: Housing Market Dynamics - In Hanoi, new property projects are selling out quickly, with a notable example being "Sunshine Legend City," which saw 1,000 units attract 4,000 registrants, leading to immediate sell-out [6][7]. - The average primary sales price in Hanoi reached 80 million VND per square meter (approximately 21,000 RMB), marking a 5.6% increase from the beginning of the year and a 33% increase year-on-year [6][9]. - High-end properties in Hanoi are priced between 150 million to 300 million VND per square meter (approximately 40,000 to 80,000 RMB), reflecting a significant price surge [6][7]. Group 2: Speculative Behavior and Market Concerns - There are reports of individuals reselling social housing for profits ranging from 2 billion to 5 billion VND (approximately 54,000 to 134,000 RMB), indicating speculative activities in the market [7][10]. - The Vietnamese Ministry of Construction has highlighted that much of the recent price increases are based on unverified rumors regarding administrative adjustments, with some areas experiencing price hikes of 20-30% in a few months [10][11]. - The market is characterized by a structural mismatch, with a lack of affordable housing for low-income groups, leading to long queues for social housing applications [12][13]. Group 3: Foreign Investment and Market Outlook - Vietnam's real estate market is attracting significant foreign direct investment (FDI), with 6.3 billion USD in 2024, accounting for 16.5% of total investment, a 35% year-on-year increase [13][14]. - The legal framework improvements and infrastructure upgrades have made Vietnam's real estate market appealing to foreign investors, particularly from Singapore, Japan, and South Korea [13][14]. - Despite the positive outlook, there are concerns regarding the sustainability of price increases and the potential for market stabilization as more commercial and social housing projects enter the market [14].

Core Viewpoint - The recent housing frenzy in major Vietnamese cities, particularly in Hanoi, is characterized by high demand and rising prices, raising questions about whether this is driven by genuine demand or speculative rumors [1][2][5]. Group 1: Housing Market Dynamics - In Hanoi, new housing projects are selling out quickly, with the average primary sales price reaching 80 million VND per square meter (approximately 21,000 RMB), a 5.6% increase from the beginning of the year and a 33% increase year-on-year [2][3]. - The demand for affordable housing is evident, as seen in the case of "Sunshine Legend City," which attracted 4,000 registrants for 1,000 units, selling out on the opening day [2][4]. - The average price of apartments in Hanoi has increased by over 72% from 2019 to the end of 2024, with significant price hikes also observed in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City [5][6]. Group 2: Speculative Behavior and Market Concerns - There are reports of speculative behavior in the market, with some individuals reselling social housing for profits ranging from 2 billion to 5 billion VND (approximately 54,000 to 134,000 RMB) [3][5]. - The Ministry of Construction has indicated that much of the recent price increases are based on unverified rumors regarding administrative boundary adjustments, leading to price surges of 20-30% in some areas [7][9]. - The market is experiencing structural mismatches, with a lack of affordable housing options for low-income groups, leading to long queues for social housing applications [9]. Group 3: Government and Policy Response - The Vietnamese government is urged to expedite the approval of new housing projects to increase market supply, particularly for affordable housing [9]. - The government aims to complete at least 1 million social housing units by 2030, with over 100,000 units expected to be completed by the end of 2025 [9]. - The State Bank of Vietnam is implementing a credit program to support first-time homebuyers under 35 years old, offering favorable loan terms [9]. Group 4: Foreign Investment Landscape - Vietnam's real estate market is attracting significant foreign direct investment (FDI), with 6.3 billion USD in 2024, accounting for 16.5% of total investment, a 35% year-on-year increase [10]. - The market is becoming increasingly appealing to foreign investors due to improved legal frameworks and infrastructure, although there are restrictions on foreign ownership [10][11]. - The investment perspective differs between local residents and foreign investors, with local buyers focusing on self-use and inflation protection, while foreign investors are more concerned with rental yields and currency fluctuations [11].