German invested Fit24 gym chain suspends Vietnam operations ‘temporarily’

High-end gym chain Fit24, an investment by Germany’s EuroFit group, stopped its Vietnam operations last Saturday, citing “objective, force majeure” reasons that it did not specify.

“We understand that this decision causes inconvenience to our members. We are doing everything we can to resolve the situation and return to serving our members soon,” a Fit24 announcement said.

Fit24 entered Vietnam in 2012, opening its first branch in district 7, Ho Chi Minh City. It opened four other outlets later, offering a variety of training services and numerous classes such as yoga, Zumba and kickboxing.

Fit24's temporary closure follows a similar move last month by the Getfit Gym & Yoga chain, also citing “force majeure reasons beyond our control.” However, Getfit reopened some of its branches at the end of September.

In other sectors, foreign-invested chains downing shutters in recent months include Starbucks Reserve Han Thuyen in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, which officially downed its shutters in August.

Although it did not give a specific reason for the closure, the company management said they had "carefully considered many factors".

McDonald’s Ben Thanh outlet closed its doors at 2 a.m, September 19, “ending a decade-long journey.” No reason was mentioned for the closure of the outlet that was one of the chain’s oldest in Vietnam and its second in HCMC.