Going to a foreign country is always intimidating due to the new environment – even the retail market might be very different to what you are used to! Even going for some shopping might become an adventure. This blog is here to give you an insight of the Vietnamese retail market and prove you that it will still be possible to find some familiar shops there !

• Which popular conveniences stores can I find there ?

If you are familiar with Asian conveniences stores, Vietnam will feel like home. More than 70% of convenience stores in Vietnam belong to foreign companies (mostly from Asia)!

• How is the retail market in Vietnam and what about its organization ?

Vietnam has a huge retail market : 800 supermarkets, 150 shopping malls, 9,000 traditional markets and about 2.2 million retailers (Source : Aseantoday.com).

Roughly speaking, the Vietnamese retail market can be divided into different types of modern distribution, as follows :

Conveniences Stores :

Popular ones : Circle K / Family Mart / Shop & Go / Mini Stop / 7 Eleven / G7 Mart. 

They are competing directly with roadside stalls and traditional markets in Vietnam. In those, you will be able to purchase everyday items such as snack foods, soft drinks, groceries, confectionery, tobacco products, toiletries, newspapers, and magazines. You can find them everywhere!

+ : Very convenient, easy to find. Hungry at 2AM ? No problem, let’s get some snacks at the neariest Family Mart!

– : Some may have more choice than others. Chose carefully!

Shopping Malls:

Quite a new concept for Vietnam but this is also the best place to be for a perfect shopping afternoon! The most renowned ones are the Lotte Mart (one in HCMC and one in Hanoi) and the Vincom Center in HCMC. These shopping malls may include special stores, a cinema, and of course a hypermarket, supermarket and department stores.

+ : You can find and do anything, you will never get bored!

– : It is very easy to spend too much money. Your bank might not be happy!

Hypermarket:

Examples of foreign popular hypermarkets : Loblaw and Superstore (Canada), Fred Meyer, Meijer and Super Kmart (US), Asda and Tesco (UK), Carrefour (France) and NTUC Fairprice (Singapore).

Basically, this is a superstore combining a supermarket and a department store. Therefore you will find a wide range of products, from full groceries lines to general merchandise.

The only Vietnamese brand name of hypermarket is Big C. They are usually located on the outskirt of the city and cramped which means you should probably avoid going there on evenings and weekends !

+ : Wide range of products, many foreign brands, you might feel familiar in these!

– : Avoid at all costs going there on evening or weekends as they are very busy.

Supermarket:

Popular ones : Intimex / Co.opmart /Fivimart /Citimart. 

If you are more of a weekly shopper, supermarkets are the perfect fit! You can often get discounts as some of them offer frequent buyer cards. Their goods and services are likely to be the same from one to another. By going there you will have a wide choice of food and household products.

+ : Possibility to get discounts with a frequent buyer card. Good for weekly shoppers.

– : If you are a daily shopper, you should rather head to a convenience store to save time and money.

Department Stores:

Popular ones (HCMC): Parkson / Diamond Plaza.

Popular ones (Hanoi): Vincom / Trang Tien Plaza / Grand Plaza / The Manor / Parkson.

These stores sell luxurious items such as brand-name clothes, shoes and high class electronic devices.

+ : Very clean, luxurious, can find many foreign luxury brands.

– : Expensive.

The Vietnamese retail market is such an intriguing and exciting experience. And if you ever feel homesick, you will still be able to warm up your mood with imported products. I hope this blog will help you during your adventure to Vietnam!

If you are ready for an adventure in Vietnam, please click here!