The paper said while investors worldwide are rushing to Vietnam, a potential market with 85 million people that has become one of the hottest in the world, the Canadian presence in the market remains too modest with only large companies, namely Manulife and Talisman Energy. Vietnam is expected to increase foreign investment to US$13 billion this year from US$10 billion in 2006.

Though Canada's trade with Vietnam has tripled in five years, it is still less than US$1 billion, while investment is just US$142 million, the paper noted.

Canadian businesses should pay attention to the furniture industry, oil and gas sector and education market in Vietnam.

The paper concluded that investors should look at Vietnam as a good place to get a foothold in Asia.