Thailand’s Central Retail Corporation is planning a major expansion in Vietnam, aiming to open more than thirty large-scale retail outlets across the country by 2029 as it strengthens its presence in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing consumer markets.

The Thai retail group, part of the Central Group conglomerate, views Vietnam as a central pillar of its regional growth strategy.

Company executives say the new outlets will include large-format stores such as hypermarkets and shopping complexes operating under brands including GO!, which has become a flagship retail format for the group in the Vietnamese market.

Vietnam’s rapidly expanding middle class and rising urban incomes have transformed the country into a highly attractive destination for international retailers.

The national retail sector is projected to continue expanding steadily in the coming years, with total market value estimated at more than one hundred seventy billion dollars in 2026 and forecast to grow further through the end of the decade.

Central Retail already operates an extensive network of stores across dozens of Vietnamese provinces, covering food retail, non-food retail and commercial property.

The company’s expansion strategy focuses particularly on food and everyday consumer goods, a segment where demand continues to rise alongside urbanisation and population growth.

Senior executives have said Vietnam offers substantial long-term potential compared with more mature retail markets in the region.

Economic growth in the country has consistently outpaced several neighbouring economies, creating opportunities for retailers to reach new consumers outside major cities as infrastructure improves and regional incomes increase.

The expansion plan forms part of a broader investment programme by Central Retail aimed at strengthening operations across Thailand and Vietnam while accelerating digital retail capabilities.

The group has allocated billions of baht for store development, logistics upgrades and technology integration to support long-term growth in both markets.

Vietnam has increasingly become a focal point for major Asian retailers seeking expansion.

International brands from Japan, South Korea and Thailand have all increased their investments in the country, drawn by a youthful population, rising purchasing power and the continued development of modern shopping infrastructure.

For Central Retail, the plan to launch more than thirty large-format outlets by the end of the decade signals confidence that Vietnam’s consumer economy will remain one of the most dynamic in Southeast Asia, offering sustained opportunities for modern retail networks to expand nationwide.