Vietnam’s nouveau riche are squandering up to USD1 million on VIP mobile phone numbers, superstitiously believing that they bring good luck.
Owner of the most expensive mobile phone number in Vietnam
Despite economic difficulties, giant mobile phone providers including Vinaphone, Mobilefone and Viettel are offering ‘luxury’ phone numbers worth over VND1 billion (USD47,961).
‘VIP’ mobile phone numbers
Never shy to show off their wealth, Vietnam’s high rollers are opting for luxury brand accessories such as Rolex Day Date or Zenith ChronoMaster and Gerald Genta Arena Tourbillon watches, worth over USD100,000 each, or an ostentatious Vertu mobile phone, worth up to USD5,000.
However, the most exclusive accessory is nothing other than a VIP mobile phone number valued at billions of VND.
“There are different ranges of Vertu mobile phones and luxury cars but a VIP mobile phone number is unique,” said a mobile phone owner with more money than sense.
Dang Minh Duc, owner of the most expensive and coveted mobile phone number in Vietnam, 0988888888 which according to Chinese superstitions is a symbol of wealth, prosperity, development and perpetuity, said his number was worth USD1 million.
According to Duc, he has been approached with offers to sell his number.
Many people said that it was really difficult to buy such mobile phone numbers due to exorbitant prices and their scarcity.
Other more fortunate phone number owners with repeated eights or sixes try and keep their number as long as possible.
An owner of one of these supposed lucky phone numbers claimed he had been offered VND2 billion (USD95,923) but he had turned down the offer to sell it, as his business is thriving.
Ordinary
Trade in more common phone numbers by contrast however has remained gloomy.
A free USD25,000 Vertu mobile comes with VND5-billion mobile phone number
After acquiring EVN Telecom, Viettel launched several new ‘lucky’ mobile phone numbers from January 1, 2012, which were quickly bought up by people.
Tung V, a hunter of VIP mobile phone numbers shared, “In early 2012, I bought a good number and have just sold it for billions of VND.”
A real estate and finance giant in Vinh Phuc Province has offered to buy the VIP mobile phone number of 096x999999 for VND3.5 billion (USD167,865). This number is currently owned by the owner of another VIP number, 09x8888888. However, the owner said he would only sell it for over VND5 billion (USD239,808) to anyone who has real ambition, with the a throwaway bonus of a Vertu mobile phone.
For 11-digit mobile phone numbers, two VIP numbers, including 016x6666666 and 018x8888888, are available for VND6-VND8 billion (USD287,769-USD383,693) each at simvipviettel.vn.
At another website offers dozens of mobile phone numbers valued at VND2 billion (USD95,923) each, a whopping mark-up on their usual price of VND65,000 (USD3.11).
