Major Vietnamese retailer breaks ground on $38mn shopping mall in Vinh Long

Saigon Co.op Investment Development JSC (SCID), a subsidiary of Saigon Co.op, and Thanh Do Group held a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday last week for the SenseFesti project in Tan Ngai Ward, Vinh Long Province, southern Vietnam.

With a price tag of nearly VND1 trillion (US$38 million) and a total floor area of 40,000 square meters, the project will be built in two phases and is the largest development in Saigon Co.op's nationwide portfolio to date.

The mall is designed not just as a shopping center but as a lifestyle destination catering to all generations.

It will house a hypermarket, retail space for both domestic and international brands, and a diverse culinary zone featuring local and global cuisine.

A standout feature will be an outdoor musical fountain stage, envisioned as a venue for festivals and cultural events.

SenseFesti will also include indoor and outdoor play areas for families, children, and young shoppers that are increasingly seeking high-quality leisure experiences during weekends and holidays.

Strategically located on Tan Vinh Thuan Street, a key corridor linking the My Thuan 1 and 2 Bridges, SenseFesti will offer direct access to the Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho Expressway, enhancing its regional trade potential upon completion.

It is part of the larger Gateway City urban project by Thanh Do Group, which includes housing, public squares, and commercial space aimed at reshaping Vinh Long’s urban landscape in the years to come.

The mall’s design also incorporates local cultural identity.

Nestled beside the gentle Co Chien River, the site offers favorable feng shui and is intended to blend commerce with eco-tourism and community life, creating a symbolic connection with the Mekong Delta’s heritage.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony, Nguyen Quynh Thien, vice-chairman of the provincial administration, emphasized that the project aligns with the province's strategic goals in trade, services, and tourism.

He called on the project developer to ensure high construction quality, labor safety, and environmental protection throughout the build.

He also urged relevant agencies to support the project through streamlined legal procedures and land clearance, facilitating efficient progress.

Phan Thanh Duy, deputy general director of SCID, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the project had been years in the making.

“We hope SenseFesti will not only be a modern shopping and entertainment complex, but also a regional trade hub that creates jobs and turns Vinh Long into a vibrant destination in the Mekong Delta,” he said.

Representatives from Thanh Do Group pledged to uphold the highest construction standards and a sustainable, community-minded development philosophy.

SenseFesti Vinh Long is the sixth Sense-branded commercial center operated by SCID.

The chain began in 2014 with the launch of the 22,000-square-meter Sense City Can Tho, followed by centers in former Ben Tre Province (now part of Vinh Long Province), Ca Mau Province, and Ho Chi Minh City.

The brand’s mission is to create eco-friendly, smart, and culturally immersive spaces aligned with modern urban and consumer trends.