While the office rental market is still sluggish, the "virtual office" rental service with certain utilities has attracted the attention of businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, newly established enterprises and foreign enterprises with little presence in the office.
“Outsourced” offices
“Virtual office"also known as "0m2 office for rent". In the world, virtual office services have existed for a long time, but in Vietnam, this service is quite new and only really had demand and development at the end of 2008, when the world economic crisis spread.
“Virtual office” model provided by Regus
Currently, according to incomplete statistics, there are about 30 companies nationwide specializing in this service, of which, enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City account for more than half. In Ho Chi Minh City, companies providing virtual office services, complete office Many businesses choose Regus, G Office, iOffice, Incomnet, NAC Real Estate... In which, International Communication Network Joint Stock Company (Incomnet) has nearly 600 customers, Regus has several hundred customers using the service, and Lien Minh Nguyen Company (NAC Real Estate) has up to 3,500m2 for rent.
Virtual office services are considered to bring many benefits. Because, with the "virtual office" solution, it only takes a few minutes to set up an office and more importantly, it helps businesses save up to 85 - 90% in costs. This office model has all the necessary amenities for an office such as luxurious meeting rooms, telephones, faxes, receptionists and has a transaction address in the city center.
The company renting an office can work anywhere without having to go to the company. The staff of the leasing unit is responsible for answering the phone, then transferring information to the leasing company. For meetings and conferences, the leasing company can completely use the services and shared meeting rooms. Even the need to rent a full-package office is also met.
Real estate experts say that the rental price of “virtual offices” is the main reason why this service attracts many businesses, especially small-scale or newly established businesses. Many companies providing “virtual office” services have offered quite attractive prices, from only 50 – 70 USD/month or 179 USD/year and 200 – 500 USD/month for full-package office services.
This is an attractive price compared to renting a real office. Compared to the rental price of premises in District 1 (around 1,000 USD/month) plus costs for equipment, staff, cleaning, security, etc.), the rental price of a "virtual office" is many times cheaper. With this service, when there is a need to use a seat, customers will pay the rental price according to the registered hour. This price depends a lot on the accompanying services such as responding to customers' partners in English, making tax reports, etc.
Mr. William Willems, Deputy General Director of Southeast Asia - Australia - New Zealand of Regus, affirmed: "Using Regus services, customers will reduce up to 60% in costs. That is because businesses only pay actual costs for their workplace, while the common area is divided equally among all units using Regus services at each center."
Virtual house, real value
In a conference on tax administrative procedure reform at the end of 2009, Dr. Le Dang Doanh, a senior economic expert, also said that “virtual offices” help businesses reduce costs, access customer information anytime, anywhere, and have a polite and professional “face” in front of customers.
According to the assessment of real estate companies, in general, the “virtual office” model is more perfectly equipped than a real rental office. Because not all businesses can afford to invest in modern equipment such as projectors, customer care switchboard systems, professional meeting rooms, etc. Meanwhile, all businesses providing virtual office rental services are fully equipped with equipment to meet customer needs.
Mr. Nguyen Van Chi, a sales representative of a corporation headquartered in Germany, said that his main job is to communicate with customers and he only goes to the company when he needs to send faxes, emails, etc. “It is a waste to rent an entire office for just those needs, and then have to equip it with working equipment, receptionists, security guards, etc.,” he said.
The low price and convenience of the service have caused a sharp increase in demand. The virtual office model is growing strongly in the world. Although he has just started his business in Vietnam, Mr. William said: "With the strong development of communication and science and technology, people only need to use a computer with internet connection and a mobile phone to be able to work anywhere.
However, businesses still need a professional business location with support staff to answer phones, receive letters, emails, faxes and professional meeting rooms to meet customers. That is the reason for the development of virtual offices.
According to Mr. John Nhat Nguyen, CEO of NAC Real Estate: “The low price and the full service of working facilities in a thoughtful manner by the service provider make this service chosen. In addition, the economy is still difficult, many businesses have to narrow down their business activities by reducing costs, reducing human resources... then the virtual office solution is the most practical choice for them”.
Faced with increasing demand, many virtual office rental service businesses are stepping up their operations. Specifically, Regus has three centers in Vietnam with nearly 9,000m², reaching over 85% of capacity and is planning to open three more centers this year. NAC Real Estate is also planning to increase the rental area in the buildings it will manage…
