Supermarket shopping is the main way to shop for most foreigners in Vietnam, however, although there are similarities to the shops in the West there are also a lot of differences and it can be rather confusing to work out where and how to shop. In this article, Vietnam Teaching Jobs (VTJ) will provide you with some useful information about Vietnam’s most popular supermarkets.

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What are they like?

As with supermarkets in Vietnam, shopping carts and baskets are located near the front entrance of the stores and are free of charge to use. In most supermarkets in Vietnam, your own bags of items (except for small handbags) are not allowed into the shop. Instead, there is a special area (usually near the front entrance) where an employee is sitting in front of a row of lockers (or a room if in a larger store) You simply give your bags to the person and they will put your items into a locker and give you the key. When you have finished shopping, you simply return the key and receive your items. This service is free of charge.

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If you have a bag with valuables, for example, a laptop computer, etc., do not leave your bag and show it to the security guard at the supermarket entrance. They will either attach a tie to the zip section of the bag so that the bag cannot be opened or wrap your bag in a plastic bag to seal it.

Large supermarkets in Vietnam not only sell a range of food items but also a range of household items, electrical items as well as clothes. The quality of some of these is very high and it is worth taking a look at the items.

As in the West, the food items are classified according to type, with prices typically being displayed underneath the item. In some Vietnam’s supermarkets, there are check areas, where if you are not sure of the price of an item you can scan it yourself and check the price. As the names of items are in Vietnamese it is not always easy to work out the prices of individual items – so a great tip is to look at the bar code of the price label and compare that to the bar code on the item. If you are still unsure, then it is fine to take the item with you to the counter and ask for the price.

For me, the biggest shock when entering a supermarket in Vietnam for the first time was the live fish section. Most large Vietnam’s supermarkets have a variety of fish tanks that house a range of seafood, ranging from prawns and lobsters to turtles and eels. Although Vietnam’s supermarkets differ slightly, in general, if you wish to have something life from the tank you take the small fishing net (which is at the side of the tanks) and fish yourself for the live item you need. There is then an employee that you give your live item to and they will kill it, pop it into a bag of ice, and pass you the bag so that you can continue shopping.

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In addition to the live seafood, there is a selection of already prepared seafood, with you typically choosing the pieces you want and popping them into a bag of ice.

In the meat section, the different types of meat are typically arranged together, with the most common being pork, chicken, and beef. There are, however, a variety of other meats, with frogs being highly popular as well as meats such as ostrich, buffalo, etc. Although Vietnamese also eat other meats such as cats, dogs, and different types of mice, these are not typically sold in the Vietnam’s supermarket but available at the market instead. As in the West, meats can either be pre-packaged or sold by weight, with there being a choice of either asking for a certain amount or collecting a bag and putting it in yourself.

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Takeaway food is a huge business in Vietnam, so most of the names in the list of Vietnam’s most popular supermarkets also have an area where you find a selection of takeaways. These can be rather elaborate depending on the store and can include whole Shushi areas, pho sections, selections of meat and rice, salad varieties, etc. Most large Vietnam’s supermarkets also offer a restaurant-style area where you can sit after purchasing these items.

These areas typically offer a microwave (so you can heat up your food if you chose e.g. a prepacked chicken and rice) and hot water (if you have chosen instant noodles etc.) which are free for use. Vietnam supermarket eating areas will have plastic forks and spoons as well as disposable chopsticks for your use – simply help yourself to these free utensils. There is typically an area of condiments e.g. sauce/chili/garlic which you can use to enhance the flavor – these are available free of charge.

To make the process easier if you want to sit and eat at the supermarket in Vietnam, there is a separate till for these items so you can pay for the items you are going to eat now and leave the rest of your shopping in the trolley/basket for later. Make sure that you keep your receipt since there is a security guy who goes around and checks that you are eating only paid-for items.

One of the best parts about supermarkets in Vietnam is the free delivery. Depending on the shop and its location, free delivery is typically within 5, 7, or 10 km and you need to spend a minimum of 200, 000 VND ( although some places require more ) You will be able to easily work out the free delivery price and distance since it is prominently displayed near the exit of the shop.

Vietnam’s supermarkets typically will not deliver cold or frozen food and some Vietnam’s supermarket chains will not deliver wine or breakables. You do not need to pack the items ready for delivery, instead simply go to the free delivery area and fill in the form (although it is in Vietnamese the employees will assist you with the three areas needed – name/address/phone number). You then leave the items in the trolley and are free to continue without being saddled with heavy bags. Delivery is usually within a few hours and is a smooth and easy process.

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AEON Vietnam – A large supermarket in Vietnam

AEON Vietnam – A large supermarket in Vietnam

AEON is a well-known Japanese retail group with a strong presence in many countries worldwide. The company has set its sights on Vietnam’s potential market and has been investing in the country since 2009 when it established a Representative Office. On October 7, 2011, AEON Vietnam Co., Ltd. was officially established with the approval of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. The company’s investment focuses on construction, organization, management, and business operations, with a primary focus on Trade Centers, General Department Stores, and Modern Supermarkets. Additionally, AEON is involved in other activities such as import-export, trade, and research. Despite only entering the Vietnamese market in 2014 with two branches in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong, the company’s stores exude the professionalism and class synonymous with Japanese brands.

• Location of AEON supermarkets in Vietnam:
  • AEON Mall Tan Phu Celadon, 30 Bo Bao Tan Thang, Son Ky Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City, opened in January 2014.
  • AEON Mall Binh Tan, 1 Street No. 17A, Binh Tri Dong B, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City, opened in January 2014.
  • AEON Mall Binh Duong Canary, 1 Binh Duong Highway, Khu Phố Bình Giao, P, Thuận An,Tinh Binh Duong, opened in October 2014.
  • AEON Mall Long Bien, 3rd floor, East Office, 27 Co Linh Street, Long Bien Ward, Hanoi, opened in September 2015.
• Website: http://aeon.com.vn
• Headquarter:
  • Working hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 – 17:30
  • Phone: (028) 6288 7711 (028) 6269 2012
  • Email: contact@aeon.com.vn
• Communication & External Affairs
  • Phone: (033) 217 9797
  • Email: phongtruyenthong@aeon.com.vn
  • Customer care: contact@aeon.com.vn

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Lotte Mart Vietnam – Favorite supermarket in Vietnam

Lotte Mart Vietnam – Favorite supermarket in Vietnam

Lotte Mart Vietnam is a subsidiary of LOTTE Shopping Center Co., Ltd., which belongs to the Korean LOTTE Group. With 265 modern shopping centers in four Asian countries, including Korea, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, LOTTE Mart caters to the shopping tastes and needs of consumers. In Vietnam, LOTTE Mart has opened 8 shopping malls in major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Vung Tau, Can Tho, Da Nang, Phu Tho, and Hanoi. The company’s goal for 2020 is to open 60 more stores throughout the provinces of Vietnam.

• Website: http://www.lottemart.com.vn
• Location of Lotte Mart markets in Vietnam: http://lottemart.com.vn/he-thong
• Head office: 469 Nguyen Huu Tho, Tan Hung Ward, District 7, City. Ho Chi Minh
• Phone: (028) 3775 3232 – Fax: (028) 3775 1575
• Email: info@lotte.vn

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Vin Mart – Famous supermarket in Vietnam

Vin Mart – Famous supermarket in Vietnam

Vin Mart is part of the massive Vin Corporation that has schools, milk, buildings, etc and it is on its way to making it to the top 1 of Vietnam’s most popular supermarkets. There are about 3,000 Vinmart stores in the country making it the most populous food shopping chain.

In addition to the large supermarkets, small convenience stores sell a section of the basic supplies.

Vin Mart stores are generally very clean and spacious, well-spaced out, and well-ordered. They offer all of the basics at a cost-conscious price, although are not necessarily the cheapest overall.

Like many Vietnam’s supermarkets, Vin Mart has a loyalty scheme that is free to join. It is extremely simple to get a card by signing up instantly at the inquiries area. Simply show your card every time you pay and points are automatically added. To use your points simply ask to use your points when paying and they will be converted into Vietnamese dong and that amount deducted from your bill.

• Website: http://vinmart.com
• Hotline: 02471066866.
• Email: cskh@winmart.masangroup.com

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Co-op Mart – Top 2 of Vietnam’s most popular supermarkets

Co-op Mart – Top 2 of Vietnam’s most popular supermarkets

This is the most popular supermarket chain in the South of Vietnam. They have a wide range of their own goods that are cheap and of high quality.

The clothes and shoe section of the co-op is very good and although not extremely cheap is very hard to wear and very good value for money. They also have a good section of underwear in larger sizes, which is very useful for the larger Western physique.

The shops themselves tend to be a little chaotically laid out and seem to be permanently busy, but since there are always a lot of checkouts, the queues rapidly disperse. Prices in the frozen area are grouped together rather than individually, making it quite difficult to work out exact costs, although, with perseverance, the prices can be worked out.

The co-op has a very good loyalty membership scheme – again, very easily joined at the information desk. In addition to the point scheme, they often have membership special offers at weekends where if you purchase items over a certain amount e.g. 200,000 VND then you are eligible to purchase one of the special offer items for a nominal fee e.g. a bottle of oil for 4,000 VND, etc.

• Website: http://www.co-opmart.com.vn
• Head office
  • Location: 199-205 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
  • Phone: (028) 38.360.143 – Fax: (028) 38.370.560
  • General line: 1900555568
• Locations of Co.opmart supermarkets in Vietnam: http://www.coopmart.com.vn/lienhe/hethongcoopmart.aspx

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MM Mega Market Viet Nam – Supermarket chain in Vietnam

MM Mega Market Viet Nam – Supermarket chain in Vietnam

This is perhaps the cheapest Vietnam supermarket chain. It is geared towards wholesale and it offers a membership scheme only for companies. The layout of this supermarket is more basic than the others, although it still has nice wide aisles and items well labeled and organized. They have a lot of their own products, which offer even more value for money.

Note that this supermarket does not give free plastic bags (as with all of the other supermarkets) – they do however offer free boxes and a free area with sticky tape or you can purchase one of their reusable bags.

• Website: https://online.mmvietnam.com
• Locations of Mega Markets in Vietnam: https://online.mmvietnam.com/he-thong-trung-tam
• Hotline: 1800 799 998

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Big C Vietnam – top 1 of Vietnam’s most popular supermarkets

Big C Vietnam – top 1 of Vietnam’s most popular supermarkets

Big C is a retail supermarket chain in Vietnam operating under the “Trade Center” or “Big Supermarket” model. The parent company of Big C is the Casino Group of France, which is one of the world’s leading retail groups with over 307,000 employees in more than 12,000 branches across various countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Columbia, France, Madagascar, and Mauritius.

At Big C shopping malls and supermarkets, the majority of the space is dedicated to consumer goods and food with high quality and affordable prices. The products traded at these stores can be divided into five main categories: fresh foods (meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables, processed foods, frozen foods, dairy foods, and bread), dried foods (condiments, soft drinks, alcohol, snacks, chemicals, cosmetics, pet food, and accessories), apparel and accessories (men’s, women’s, children’s, and infant’s fashion, shoes, and bags), electrical appliances (kitchen appliances, home entertainment equipment, computers, and informatics equipment), and interior decoration items (furniture, kitchen utensils, plastic goods, home appliances, decorative items, upgrades, maintenance and repair, mobile accessories, motorcycles, sports equipment, and toys).

This is a very popular Vietnam supermarket chain and it can get incredibly busy at weekends and peak times. It offers very good value for money and has a range of its own products.

• Website: http://www.bigc.vn
• Locations of Big C stores: https://www.bigc.vn/en/store.html
• Common question:
  • Switchboard: 1800 555 555.
  • Order: 1900 1880.
  • Email: crv.dvkh@vn.centralretail.com.
• Channels reflect violations of business ethics:
  • Hotline: 18001713.
  • E-mail box: crv.whistleblower@vn.centralretail.com.
• Head office:
  • Address: No. 163, Phan Dang Luu Street, Ward 01, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
  • Phone: (84-08) 3995 8368.
  • Fax: (84-08) 3995 8423.
  • Business code: 0105696842, registration to change on July 14, 2017.

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Emart Vietnam – Korean Supermarket in Vietnam

Emart Vietnam – Korean Supermarket in Vietnam

As the leading retail supermarket chain in South Korea, Emart is an essential part of the Shinsegae Group – a top conglomerate in South Korea with diverse business formats such as Starbucks Korea, Shinsegae department stores, and Premium Outlet systems. Emart Vietnam began operating in South Korea in 1993 and acquired Walmart Korea in 2006. Currently, Emart is a global retail company with over 160 stores operating in South Korea, as well as branch offices in the United States, Japan, and Vietnam.

Emart offers a modern shopping environment with clean and spacious product display areas, covering an average area of around 11,900 square meters (with a building area of 19,700 square meters). It specializes in providing the highest quality products at the best prices. In addition to the retail area, the hypermarket also integrates many other utilities such as entertainment areas for children, restaurants, healthcare services, and attractive services that are only available at Emart, making it a one-stop destination for all shopping needs. Emart has made its debut in Vietnam with its first store, bringing a new shopping experience to the local market.

• Website: https://www.emart.com.vn
• Location: 366 Phan Van Tri, Go Vap, HCM.

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Lanchi Mart Vietnam

Lanchi Mart supplies goods to over 700 large and small retailers in districts, towns, and nearby provinces

Lanchi Mart Vietnam was established in 1995 as a small-scale consumer goods distribution company operating in the western and southern regions of Hanoi. In 2007, the company expanded its market network by building a retail supermarket system in suburban areas, with the aim of delivering goods to consumers through the Lan Chi Mart system.

After nearly 20 years of operation, Lanchi Mart has become the most professional and largest-scale distribution network in the northern region, and a strategic partner of world-renowned companies such as Unilever, Calofic, Duch Lady, and many others. Currently, Lanchi Mart supplies goods to over 700 large and small retailers in districts, towns, and nearby provinces, covering an area of ​​more than 5,000 square meters. With more than 300 employees and over 40 types of trucks, Lanchi Mart confidently implements long-term strategies and maintains strong relationships with famous brands not only in Vietnam but also internationally.

The Lanchi Mart supermarket chain has brought professional shopping services, stable prices, and attentive service, and bridged the gap between urban and rural areas, creating a new face for suburban areas, solving local employment issues, and contributing significantly to the development of the rural economy during the renewal period. In addition to retail services, the Lanchi Mart system also expands its supply chain services, such as food and entertainment zones, making it not only a shopping destination for all households but also a family entertainment destination. Moreover, Lanchi Mart has opened up countless job opportunities for local residents, helping them to be trained, develop their career paths, and contribute to building their homeland right on their native land.

• Website: https://lanchi.vn
• Hotline: 1900 066 698

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Saigon Supermarket (SatraMart) Vietnam

SatraMart, also known as Saigon Supermarket, is a Vietnamese supermarket chain

SatraMart, also known as Saigon Supermarket, is a Vietnamese supermarket chain that was established in 2001 in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City. The total area of the store is up to 7,500m2 and it offers a wide variety of products, with over 30,000 items in four main categories: Cosmetic Chemistry, Household Appliances, Food, and Garment. Additionally, a part of the store’s area is designated for catering services, electronics, footwear, and more, making it an ideal shopping destination for consumers.

• Address: 460, 3/2 Street, Ward 12, District 10, HCM City.
• Phone: (+ 84-28) 38 629 629.
• Email: info@sieuthisaigon.com.vn.
• Website: http://www.sieuthisaigon.com.vn

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At all Vietnam supermarkets, payment can be by cash or by card, with many supermarkets having ATMs at their entrance.
Although supermarket shopping can be daunting in a new country, it is an experience. Experiment each time you go, buying one new product you are unsure of, and over time, you will gain confidence and experience to grab your trolley and head off with enthusiasm and ease.