Apple has set up a subsidiary in Vietnam that will allow the company to directly import and distribute its products in the country, where demand for smartphones is soaring.

Apple Vietnam Ltd, based in Ho Chi Minh City, was established last month with a registered capital of VND15 billion (about $670,000), Reuters reported. It will be a wholesaler for Apple products as well as provide advisory services.

Smartphone shipments in Vietnam increased 57 per cent to 11.6 million units last year and accounted for 41 per cent of total handsets shipped, according to an IDC report. Smartphone sales are expected to surpass feature phones this year, which represented more than 63 per cent of total shipments back in 2013.

The iPhone 6s/6s Plus models have been available in Vietnam since last month and can be purchased from operators Viettel and Vinaphone or authorised resellers.

TuioTreNews reported that the devices were available through unofficial channels for between VND20 million ($893) and VND30 million ($1,339) before their launch in Vietnam.

A year ago, the newspaper said many Vietnamese were willing to pay $1,550 to $3,300 for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus resold from markets like Singapore before the official launch in the country.