Launch of New Operation in Vietnam

Prudential PLC
17 November 1999

  
                Prudential launches new operation in Vietnam
              First  UK insurance company to be granted licence


Prudential plc announced today the launch of a new operation in Vietnam  and

the opening of offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Prudential was awarded

an  operating  licence on 29 October 1999 --- the first  UK  company  to  be

granted a life insurance licence in Vietnam.



Attending  the  launch  ceremony in Hanoi, Sir Martin  Jacomb,  Chairman  of

Prudential  plc  said:  'We  are  confident of  Vietnam's  long-term  growth

potential  and we intend to play a significant part in helping to  meet  the

savings, protection and retirement needs of the people of Vietnam.'



With  the setting up of our operation in Vietnam, we intend to build a local

team of more than one thousand in the near future. As part of our commitment

to  the country, we will be investing over US$14 million in capital over the

next two years.'



Prudential  established its first representative office in  Hanoi  in  1995,

followed by Ho Chi Minh City two years later. Over the years, Prudential has

actively  supported  a  number of educational and  cultural  initiatives  in

Vietnam.



Mark  Tucker,  Chief  Executive of Prudential Corporation  Asia,  said,  'At

Prudential,  we  understand  well the value of  experience  and  dedication,

having provided for the needs of millions of customers around the world  for

over  150 years. Prudential's roots in Asia are deep and we have great faith

and  confidence in the region's long term potential. Vietnam is an important

market for us and as the UK's largest life insurer, we are pleased to extend

our long tradition in the pensions and investment market to Vietnam.'




For more information contact:

Media
Jeremy Reynolds     0171 548 3721
Kevin Russell       0171 548 3723

Analysts
Carys Walshe        0171 548 3823



NOTES TO EDITORS

1.    Prudential first established its presence in Asia back in 1923. Today,
Prudential  is the UK's largest life insurance company in Asia with  offices
in  ten  countries/areas and a network of over 19,000 agents and staff.  The
operating  licence  in  Vietnam  is  the  latest  addition  to  Prudential's
significant  Asian portfolio, which already includes Hong  Kong,  Singapore,
Malaysia,  the Philippines, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Mainland  China  and
Taiwan.