Mall has seen strong foot traffic and rising occupancy since soft opening
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – SC VivoCity, among the most modern shopping and lifestyle destinations in Ho Chi Minh City (“HCMC”), officially opens today with a ceremony graced by the President of Vietnam, Mr Truong Tan Sang.
SC VivoCity has drawn strong footfall since it began operations on 19 April 2015. On average, it sees over 700,000 visitors per month. Foot traffic is expected to increase further as more retailers, many of which are international brands setting up their first shops in Vietnam, open at the property.
To-date, shops taking up 84 per cent of SC VivoCity’s net lettable area (“NLA”) of 41,000 square metres (“sqm”) have opened, and close to 90 per cent of NLA has been committed. The mall has a gross floor area (“GFA”) of 62,000 sqm.
SC VivoCity is jointly developed by Saigon Co.op Investment Development Joint Stock Company (“SCID”) and Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd (“Mapletree”). SCID is an affiliate of top Vietnam retailer Saigon Co.op, and Mapletree is a leading real estate development, investment and capital management company headquartered in Singapore.
The mall is the first phase of Saigon South Place, a 4.4-ha integrated mixed-use development project located in District 7, Tan Phong Ward, along Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard. This is a district with a large number of multinational corporations, a strong community of middle class Vietnamese residents as well as expatriates, and amenities such as international schools. When completed, Saigon South Place will also comprise Grade-A office and serviced apartment buildings.
Ms Nguyen Thi Tranh, Chief Executive Officer of SCID, said: “SC VivoCity marks a significant milestone in the diversification strategy of the modern retail business of Saigon Co.op and SCID. We are delighted to be able to partner with our respected partner, Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd, in this iconic mall project.
“This partnership has proven to be a perfect combination of the strengths, experience and expertise of both SCID and Mapletree, which has made SC VivoCity a successful international retail and lifestyle destination mall in Ho Chi Minh City today.”
Ms Wendy Koh, Mapletree’s Regional Chief Executive Officer of South East Asia, said: “The high shopper traffic and support from retailers mark a strong start to our development of Saigon South Place. The recovery and continued liberalisation of Vietnam’s economy, such as the relaxation of rules for foreign businesses to set up operations in the country and the lowering of trade barriers and corporate tax rates, will continue to draw foreign firms to set up operations in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s vibrant business hub.
“We believe that the office and serviced apartment components of Saigon South Place are poised to benefit from this. Already, the liberalisation policies have drawn the interest of international retailers that are new to Vietnam, and many are marking their entry into the country by opening at SC VivoCity.”
International Tenants
Prominent new-to-market brands
The wide array of international retailers at SC VivoCity includes brands that are new to Vietnam such as Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and the Harley-Davidson Black Label Collection – the label’s first store in Asia.
Other new-to-market, highly established international and Singapore retailers that bring the latest fashion, entertainment and food trends to the country include:
IMAX
Hamleys (Opening soon)
Penshoppe (Opening soon)
Swee Lee
KOI Thé
Xiao Ban Café
Well-loved names
International retailers popular with the HCMC and Vietnam populace that have set up shop at SC VivoCity include McDonald’s with its first mall-located outlet in Vietnam; British high street retailer Topshop and Topman, which opens its second shop in HCMC; as well as:
Starbucks
BreadTalk
Caffebene
SKINFOOD
TheFaceShop
Wall Street English
Popular Local Retailers
A big attraction of SC VivoCity is also the large number of local companies that have brought popular brands to the mall. They include Phuong Nam Bookstore, and food & beverage (“F&B”) names such as:
Golden Jade (Chinese cuisine)
Vuvuzela (Beer club)
Wrap & Roll (Vietnamese cuisine)
King BBQ
Phuc Long (Café)
Highlands Coffee
Comprehensive Lifestyle Experience
SC VivoCity is equipped with a myriad of leisure and retail options to provide a multi-experiential shopping, dining and entertainment experience for everyone – from families to singles; the young and the old.
Among its standout features is the open air wet and dry playground. The first such park for children in Vietnam, it is situated at the roof deck and is equipped with water spray guns, water cannons and water fountains.
For those who prefer indoor children’s play, head to Korean soft play centre Apple Kids Club.
Avid movie goers can enjoy a unique, life-like cinematic experience at SC VivoCity, which boasts Vietnam’s first IMAX theatre. Brought in by South Korean group CGV Cinemas and accompanied by a screen that is among the largest in the world, as well as a powerful sound system, this is one 3D experience that movie buffs would not want to miss.
Gaming and bowling fanatics can head to Nụ Cuoi Vui Game Center, while fitness enthusiasts can work up a sweat at California Fitness & Yoga Center, which has set up a dynamic lifestyle centre that promises to offer more than just a typical gymnasium experience.
Meeting the everyday needs of shoppers is CO.OPXtra, a hypermarket set up by Saigon Co.op and Singapore’s NTUC FairPrice that supplies a wide array of products, including imported luxury items from Singapore, South Korea, Japan, America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Rounding up the SC VivoCity experience are over 39 F&B options, as well as a wide range of retail, fashion, education and entertainment choices. In total, the mall has over 150 retail establishments over five storeys to meet the needs of every visitor.
Thriving Hub
When completed, Saigon South Place will consist of SC VivoCity, three office towers, and two blocks of serviced apartments – bringing to life the live, work, play integrated concept envisioned for the development.
Mapletree has begun work on the second phase of Saigon South Place, which comprises Mapletree Business Centre, a 17-storey office tower that will boast international Grade-A specifications and is targeted to complete in 2016.
