The new markets are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam, with the rollout covering desktop and iOS in all listed countries except Japan, where it is currently limited to desktop users.

Gemini in Chrome first launched in the United States in January, after which Google extended access to India, Canada and New Zealand in March. With this latest expansion, more users can now use the feature directly inside the Chrome browser.

Google has been adding more Gemini tools to Chrome since last year. The assistant appears in a floating window and can help users with tasks while they browse.

Earlier this year, Google also introduced a sidebar version that can answer questions across multiple tabs. It can summarise long pages, compare information from open tabs and respond without users leaving the browser.

The feature also works with several Google services. Users can schedule meetings through Calendar, check places with Maps, and draft or send emails through Gmail.

Google’s Personal Intelligence feature is also available through Gemini in Chrome. It allows users to connect services such as Gmail and Google Photos to receive more personalised responses.

Users can also ask questions about YouTube videos while staying on the same page.

Another tool, Nano Banana 2, lets users edit or transform images on the web using text prompts in the Chrome sidebar.

Some advanced functions are still limited to the United States. Google said its agentic feature, which can control a browser window and complete tasks for users, is still being tested.

That feature is only available to subscribers on the AI Pro and AI Ultra paid plans in the U.S. for now.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade issued a directive last month requiring Temu, along with fellow Chinese retailer Shein, to register with the government by November 30, 2024. 

This was in line with trade regulations outlined in Decree 52 (2013) and Decree 85 (2021), which mandate that foreign eCommerce platforms operating in Vietnam comply with certain registration processes.

On 5th December, the Ministry announced that Temu’s operations would be suspended until the platform finalised its registration. The ministry clarified that while Temu had submitted an application, it is still under review. 

However, it did not specify a timeline for when the suspension might be lifted or outline what steps Temu needs to take for the resumption of services.

In an attempt to address the situation, Temu confirmed that it is working with the Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency, as well as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, to complete the necessary registration. 

However, the company has not disclosed when it expects to be fully operational again in Vietnam. Meanwhile, users attempting to access Temu’s website in Vietnam have noted the removal of Vietnamese-language options, further confirming the operational disruption.

While Shein’s website was also unavailable in Vietnam, it is not yet known if the platform has been subject to the same suspension. Shein stated that it is working with the Vietnamese authorities to ensure compliance with local regulations and assured customers that they could still shop through its international platform.

This suspension comes as both the Vietnamese government and local businesses are concerned about the impact of deep discounting by foreign platforms like Temu and Shein. Again, the trade ministry has also spoken about the sale of counterfeit products on these platforms. 

Temu has previously faced regulatory issues in other countries, such as Indonesia, where local authorities have called for the app to be removed from app stores to protect local merchants.

In Vietnam, a recent decision by the government has also begun to tackle tax exemptions that have long benefited foreign eCommerce companies. 

The finance ministry is in the process of eliminating the VAT exemption on low-cost imported goods, expected to affect the foreign-dominated eCommerce sector in the country.

This initiative was confirmed following discussions between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Choi Joo Ho, general director of Samsung Group in Vietnam.

The new facility will be established within the Yen Phong industrial park in Bac Ninh province, strategically located near an existing Samsung Electronics plant. This development is set to enhance the region’s role as a key manufacturing hub for the company.

In conjunction with this announcement, Bac Ninh authorities and Samsung Display formalised their mission through a memorandum of understanding. 

This latest investment will elevate the total financial commitment of the Samsung Group in Bac Ninh to $8.3 billion, revealing a valid increase from the previous $6.5 billion.

Over the past decade, Vietnam has grown to be a prime destination for electronics manufacturing, attracting numerous international companies. Choi highlighted that Samsung has established six manufacturing facilities, one research and development centre, and a sales entity in the country, with a cumulative investment reaching $22.4 billion.

With this move, Samsung aims to expand its operations in Vietnam, continuing its mission to impact the global electronics supply chain.