Central Group and Central Retail, in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, have officially launched “Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2026” under the theme “Discover the Charm of Vietnam” in central Bangkok. The initiative celebrates the 50th anniversary of Thailand–Vietnam diplomatic relations while reinforcing trade, investment, and tourism partnerships to advance a joint bilateral trade target of 25 billion USD.
Vietnam remains an economic standout in ASEAN, with projected GDP growth reaching up to 7.2% this year. Since entering the market in 2012, Central Group has capitalized on Vietnam’s urbanization and rising purchasing power across primary and secondary provinces. Over the past 15 years, Central Retail has invested more than 49 billion THB, establishing a retail ecosystem and creating over 13,000 local jobs, with Vietnamese nationals representing 99.5% of the workforce. Central Group is also laying the groundwork for future expansions, including Central Pattana mixed-use developments and Centara hotels.
Central Retail emphasized that the company’s retail network—spanning food formats like GO! Hypermarket and TOPS Market, lifestyle brands, and GO! Mall—evolves alongside changing consumer behaviors. Aligned with the “Better for Vietnam” vision, more than 90% of products distributed in its stores are locally sourced through collaborations with over 2,000 domestic suppliers, alongside community livelihood and sustainability initiatives.
The 2026 event features over 60 Vietnamese enterprises showcasing regional specialties from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, An Giang, and Lao Cai at zero cost, alongside business-matching sessions with Central Group’s retail and wholesale divisions. Offerings span specialty coffee, tea, regional food products, textiles, and travel packages. Additionally, Central Retail signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NAPAS and VietinBank to implement cross-border payments via VietQR Global, boosting digital economic integration and bilateral tourism.
