Vietnam standout country in Southeast Asia for luxury retail: Savills
Vietnam, along with Singapore and Thailand, is viewed as a standout country in Southeast Asia for luxury retail, according to Nick Bradstreet, head of Asia-Pacific Retail at Savills.
“They all share growing economies and expanding high net worth populations, including a widening profile of luxury hotels and members clubs. As a result, several luxury retailers are focusing their attention on them," Bradstreet noted.
Experts at Savills said that Vietnam, along with other vibrant economies in Asia-Pacific remains relatively bright in the global retail landscape, although growth is moderating.
They noted that new players are entering the luxury segment in Ho Chi Minh City although mid-range retail properties for lease in the city and affordable brands are facing challenges due to economic impacts.
Influx of luxury brands
In the last six months of 2023, renowned luxury brands in fashion, jewelry, cosmetics, and watches entered HCMC, including Loewe, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Breitling. These brands have strategically chosen prime locations in District 1, such as Union Square or along Dong Khoi Street. According to Savills HCMC Retail Leasing team, the late-year period will see increased dynamism in the luxury retail segment with the opening of new stores.

Loewe's first store in Vietnam, located at Union Square in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo courtesy of Tam Son International.
Tran Pham Phuong Quyen, retail leasing manager at Savills HCMC, highlighted the growth of a wealthy consumer class and its openness to spending on luxury and branded products that will continue to drive this segment.
“We cannot overlook the development of retail distribution conglomerates in Vietnam, which, with their strong capabilities and significant market share, have persuaded many luxury brands to enter the Vietnamese market,” Quyen added.
Another factor contributing to the vibrancy of upscale and luxury retail is the availability of high-quality retail spaces in HCMC. According to Quyen, after several prime locations completed renovations and upgrades, there are more high-quality retail spaces in suitable locations that align with the business strategies and needs of luxury brands.
According to Savills Global Luxury Retail Outlook 2023 report, excluding the Chinese market, Asia had a 12% share of the total luxury retail openings globally in 2022, and Southeast Asia is a region with strong growth potential.
Medium-term pressures
Alongside these positive developments, Savills experts also identified challenges in the market during the economic slowdown.
According to Quyen, mid-range brands in HCMC are experiencing a decline in sales by 20% to 30% compared to the previous cycle. This is because consumers in this segment are more sensitive to price. During challenging economic times, they tend to be more cautious with their spending and carefully consider price factors when shopping.

Tran Pham Phuong Quyen, retail leasing manager at Savills HCMC. Photo courtesy of Savills Vietnam.
To address this, brands and retailers are launching promotions to stimulate demand and accelerate the consumption of inventory before 2024.
The HCMC Department of Industry and Trade acknowledges that retail played a significant role in driving economic growth in the first nine months of 2023. In this period, total revenue from retail sales of goods and consumer services in HCMC is estimated to have hit VND871 trillion ($36 billion), up 8.6% year-on-year.
Simon Smith, head of research and consultancy at Savills Asia-Pacific, stated that retailers face economic challenges in the short to medium term and the threat of e-commerce to asset owners has not gone away. Online shopping habits became more entrenched around the region during the pandemic. This means shops and shopping centers should provide more experiences to attract and retain shoppers.
“Inflation is pushing up construction and labor costs, so asset owners must hope that retailer confidence will continue to grow and support rental growth,” he said.
- Read More
Central Vietnam province reviews investment proposal for thermal power project after Thai EGATi pullout
Authorities in the central province of Quang Tri are evaluating a proposal from Power Generation JSC 1 (EVNGENCO 1), a subsidiary of state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN), to take over the Quang Tri thermal power plant project, following the withdrawal of Thai investor EGATi.
Energy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 1:44 pm GMT+7
Amata to sell stakes worth $46 mln in Vietnam units to Novaland-tied buyers
Amata VN, the Vietnam arm of Thailand’s leading industrial park developer Amata, has approved a plan for its subsidiary Amata City Long Thanh Urban JSC (ACLT) to sell its remaining 51% stakes in two entities to local developer Novaland-linked buyers.
Real Estate - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 12:19 pm GMT+7
Vietnam already meets FTSE's criteria for stock market status upgrade: Finance Minister
Vietnam has fulfilled the criteria for a stock market status upgrade by FTSE Russell through reforms aimed at facilitating foreign investment inflows into its market, said Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang.
Economy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 9:36 am GMT+7
Banks should be allowed to distribute, invest in mutual fund certificates: Vietnam's finance ministry
The Ministry of Finance is proposing a key reform that would allow commercial banks to invest in and distribute mutual fund certificates, as part of a broader plan to restructure the investor base and foster the development of Vietnam’s fund management industry.
Finance - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
E-commerce boom a major driver of Vietnam's packaging paper industry growth
Vietnam's paper packaging industry is entering a period of strong growth, with an average annual growth rate forecasted at 10% until 2030.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:20 pm GMT+7
Vietnam needs support from UK in developing international financial center: Deputy PM
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh has called on the UK and the City of London to continue supporting and accompanying Vietnam in promoting and introducing its international financial center (IFC).
Finance - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:12 pm GMT+7
Vietnam enforces 8% capital adequacy ratio for banks from Sept 15
Commercial banks and foreign bank branches in Vietnam must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 8%, including at least 4.5% in Tier 1 core capital and 6% in Tier 1 capital, starting from September 15.
Banking - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:04 pm GMT+7
Tool for wood traceability management debuts in Vietnam
The Vn-WoodID application has been officially launched in Vietnam, becoming a key tool contributing to wood traceability.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:00 pm GMT+7
Sun Group, US Embassy foster aviation-hospitality cooperation
Sun Group, in collaboration with the US Embassy in Vietnam, hosted the US – Vietnam Aviation Partnership Roundtable on September 12, bringing together 15 leading American corporations in aviation, technology, and financial services, opening up opportunities to position Phu Quoc as a new aviation and tourism hub in the region.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 9:54 pm GMT+7
Vietnam tops Thai giant SCG’s overseas markets with 9% revenue contribution in H1
Vietnam remained the largest overseas market for Thailand’s Siam Cement Group (SCG) in the first half of 2025, contributing 9% of consolidated sales.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 8:10 pm GMT+7
Central Vietnam to have new airport Mang Den
Procedures to adjust Vietnam's airport system planning, including the addition of Mang Den Airport in central Vietnam, are being proceeded, according to the Ministry of Construction.
Infrastructure - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 5:16 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's government seeks to position country as 'regulated hub for digital assets in Asia': Dragon Capital
The Vietnamese Government has advanced the regulation of digital assets, with a resolution launching a five-year pilot framework for issuance and trading. This framework signals the Government’s intent to position the country as a regulated hub for digital assets in Asia, which could attract new capital inflows, write Dragon Capital analysts.
Economy - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 2:20 pm GMT+7
Agribank introduces sizable $4.17 bln preferential credit package
Right from the beginning of 2025, Agribank launched a substantial preferential credit package worth VND110 trillion ($4.17 billion) to support individual customers.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 1:32 pm GMT+7
'Precious space' in Vietnam's monetary policy
The Federal Reserve's continued cuts in 2025, with the most recent in September, are considered a valuable policy "space" for the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to maintain low interest rates to support growth without having to worry too much about exchange rates.
Economy - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:15 am GMT+7
Vietnam’s central bank sells $1.5 bln to stabilize currency: broker MBS
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) intervened in the foreign exchange market by selling approximately $1.5 billion via 180-day cancelable forward contracts from August 25-26, in an effort to ease pressure on the Vietnamese dong, according to a recent report by MB Securities (MBS).
Banking - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 8:04 am GMT+7
Hanoi aims to break ground on $11.4 bln Red River Boulevard & Landscape project by Jan 2026
A consortium of “tunnel king” Deo Ca Group and real estate developer Van Phu Invest has been assigned by the Hanoi People’s Committe to prepare an investment proposal for the VND300 trillion ($11.37 billion) Red River Boulevard & Landscape project.
Real Estate - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 7:55 am GMT+7