Bangkok, 17 September 2026 – Central Group and Central Retail, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, officially opened Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2026 under the theme “Discover the Charm of Vietnam”. The event invites visitors to experience the distinctive products and rich cultural heritage of five featured cities and provinces across Vietnam. The event also marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam, while underscoring the strong public-private partnership between the two countries in advancing economic cooperation, trade, and investment. Highlights include showcases of Vietnamese products and regional cuisine from local entrepreneurs, as well as the signing of cooperation agreements between Central Group businesses and leading Vietnamese partners—reinforcing the Group’s role as a bridge to new opportunities for Vietnamese entrepreneurs and Thai consumers.

Ms. Wallaya Chirathivat, President of Central Group said, “Vietnam continues to stand out as one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies, with GDP growth projected to reach as high as 7.2% this year, reflecting the country’s strong market potential and expanding consumer purchasing power. This momentum is reinforced by 50 years of close relations between Thailand and Vietnam, with bilateral ties evolving beyond government-to-government relations into broader cooperation across the economy, tourism, trade, investment, and the business sectors. Both countries are also working towards a bilateral trade target of 25 billion USD. Together, these factors continue to strengthen Central Group’s confidence in Vietnam’s potential and drive our ongoing investment in the country.

“Since 2012, Central Group has recognised Vietnam’s long-term growth potential, driven by its market scale and promising trends across economic growth, urbanisation, rising purchasing power and increasing consumer adoption of modern retail. These opportunities extend beyond major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to fast-growing secondary cities across the country. For more than 15 years, Central Group has established a strong foundation and expanded its investments across a diverse range of businesses in Vietnam. Central Retail has been one of the Group’s key growth engines, with cumulative investment of more than 49 billion THB in developing its operations in the country. Beyond expanding its retail footprint, Central Retail has continued to build a comprehensive business ecosystem, while creating opportunities and generating income for Vietnamese communities through more than 13,000 jobs, with Vietnamese employees accounting for 99.5% of its workforce. Its operations have also contributed to economic activity and income generation across related industries throughout the supply chain”.

At the same time, Central Group plans to further expand its investments across a range of businesses in Vietnam, including Central Retail’s hypermarket operations and other retail formats. The Group is also assessing market potential, identifying suitable partners, and deploying dedicated teams on the ground to prepare for the development of Central Pattana’s mixed-use shopping mall projects, as well as the continued expansion of Centara Hotels & Resorts. These investments are expected to create significant employment opportunities and improve the livelihoods of Vietnamese households, reinforcing Central Group’s long-term commitment to contributing to Vietnam’s sustainable growth”.

Mr. Olivier Langlet, Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Vietnam, added, “Central Retail continues to see positive momentum in Vietnam’s growing market, driven by evolving consumer behaviour. Vietnamese consumers are no longer looking solely for value for money when making purchasing decisions; they are placing greater importance on quality, safety, convenience, and the overall experience. Central Retail is therefore not only expanding its store network across major and secondary cities, but also developing a comprehensive ecosystem designed to serve consumers throughout every stage of life. Our portfolio spans food retail formats including GO! Hypermarket, Tops Market, mini go!, and Lan Chi Mart; non-food businesses and lifestyle, sports and fashion brands such as Supersports, Kubo, Dyson, Columbia, Crocs, Hoka, Speedo and Under Armour; as well as integrated experiences across GO! Mall properties”.

“Beyond driving business growth, Central Retail Vietnam is committed to growing alongside all sectors of society, embedding its ‘Better for Vietnam’ vision throughout every dimension of its value chain, from customers, business partners, and suppliers to local communities and the environment. The company places a strong emphasis on supporting local products, with more than 90% of products sold across its retail network sourced in Vietnam, while working with more than 2,000 local suppliers. We are also committed to leading in food quality and safety, while advancing our position as a leader in sustainable retail through a range of initiatives. These include Livelihoods for Communities, which supports sustainable income generation by helping local communities improve production capabilities and product quality while expanding access to consumers; ‘One Mall, One School’, which supports the construction and renovation of schools; and the installation of rooftop solar systems across stores and shopping malls to reduce environmental impact.”

Vietnamese Week is another flagship initiative under the ‘Better for Vietnam’ vision. Held continuously since 2016, the event is a collaboration between Central Retail, Central Group, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, and local partners. Over the years, the programme has welcomed more than 1,000 Vietnamese entrepreneurs to showcase their products, attracted over one million visitors, and facilitated more than 50 successful business-matching sessions. In 2026, the initiative is supported by public and private-sector partners including the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS), VietinBank, Vietnam Airlines, and Hong Ngoc Ha Travel. Together, they bring the many charms of Vietnam, from products, food and beverages to cultural performances and tourism experiences, to the heart of Bangkok. Held under the theme ‘Discover the Charm of Vietnam’, the event is designed to offer fresh perspectives on the country and create experiences that connect Vietnam’s soft power with Thai consumers and international visitors. Highlights include products and experiences representing five prominent cities and provinces, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, An Giang and Lao Cai, alongside four full days of shopping, dining, and leisure experiences, including:

• Taste the distinctive characters of Vietnamese coffee through quality beans from Adoré Café, FNB, and Real Bean Coffee.
• Experience the artistry of Vietnamese tea culture with premium teas and a traditional tea-brewing workshop presented by Vietnam Tea Shop.
• Explore Vietnam’s diverse flavours through a wide range of quality food and processed agricultural products, from instant noodles by CaThiFood and processed fruits and vegetables by Mekong Herbals to craft chocolate by Bittersweet Chocolatier; authentic Phu Quoc fish sauce from Khai Hoan and Huynh Khoa; salts and seasonings from Donkey Marine and VIPEP; and popular beverages from Idocean, MOCBACMILK, and Vinacacao.
• Discover the charm of Vietnamese craftsmanship and local heritage through fabrics and textiles from VietHouse.
• Shop a curated selection of Vietnamese favourites at the TOPS FOOD HALL booth, featuring imported products already available in stores, including renowned Vietnamese coffee brands King Coffee and Mr. Viet, popular snacks from Bibica, and instant noodles from Acecook and VIFON.
• Savour authentic Vietnamese flavours at the dedicated food and beverage zone, where Golden Gate and TOPS FOOD HALL serve up popular favourites including pho, banh mi, spring rolls and Vietnamese coffee. Visitors can sit back and enjoy the experience at the Eden Zone on Level 2.
• Complete the experience with exclusive travel deals for those inspired to discover Vietnam firsthand. Vietnam Airlines and Hong Ngoc Ha Travel will offer special airfares and travel packages available exclusively at the event.

Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2026 brings together more than 60 Vietnamese entrepreneurs from a diverse range of industries, offering them complimentary exhibition space to showcase their products and gain direct access to the Thai market. The event also provides an opportunity for participating brands to present their products and gather real consumer feedback, helping them refine and further develop their businesses beyond the event. The event also features Business Matching sessions, providing a platform for Vietnamese entrepreneurs to engage directly with business units across Central Group, and explore opportunities for commercial partnerships, exports, and expanded distribution through modern retail and wholesale channels. Through the Group’s network in Thailand and overseas, these connections can help open new routes to market while supporting high-potential Vietnamese businesses in building stronger foundations for sustained long-term growth.

Another key highlight marking the 50th anniversary of Thailand–Vietnam diplomatic relations is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Central Retail, NAPAS, and VietinBank to promote cross-border payments through VietQR Global. The collaboration aims to advance the digital economy, trade, and tourism while enhancing seamless shopping experiences across the region and providing greater convenience for travellers and entrepreneurs from both countries.

“Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2026 represents another important milestone that gives even greater meaning to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam. It builds on five decades of friendship by deepening cooperation at both the local and business levels, while creating opportunities for shared long-term growth. Central Group, led by Central Retail, remains committed to strengthening collaboration with Vietnam’s public and private sectors. By leveraging the strength of our retail and wholesale ecosystem and decades of accumulated expertise, we aim to serve as a bridge connecting consumers, entrepreneurs, and markets across both countries, supporting Thailand and Vietnam as they advance together towards strong and sustainable regional leadership”, Ms. Wallaya concluded.