US private equity firm Bain Capital invests US$200mil in Vietnam conglomerate Masan

HANOI, Oct 2 (Reuters): US private equity firm Bain Capital has made its first investment in Vietnam, with at least US$200 million in the Masan Group conglomerate, and could bring in other investors to raise that to US$500 million, the firms said on Monday.

The deal is set to boost competition in Vietnam's retail market, as rapid urbanisation draws domestic and foreign investors looking to expand or gain a foothold in the country of 100 million.