Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 1 August 2016 – Keppel Land Limited (Keppel Land), has opened its much anticipated retail mall in Saigon Centre in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) which is anchored by the city’s first Takashimaya department store. With a wide and exciting array of fashion, lifestyle and F&B offerings, Saigon Centre is poised to be the shopping and lifestyle destination in HCMC.

The opening ceremony was graced by His Excellency, Mr Tran Vinh Tuyen, Member of the Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of HCMC, and witnessed by Chairman of Keppel Corporation Dr Lee Boon Yang, Keppel Land’s management as well as 300 invited guests comprising government officials, leading financial institutions, tenants and business associates.

Mr Ang Wee Gee, CEO, Keppel Land, said, “As one of the largest and pioneer foreign real estate investors in Vietnam, Keppel Land has been privileged to play a part in transforming the country’s cityscape. Today marks an important milestone as we open the retail mall at Saigon Centre which has become a HCMC landmark in the central business district.

“We will build on our experience and expertise in developing iconic mixed-use developments to create vibrant and sustainable live-work-play environments of enduring value in Vietnam.”

Integrated with the revamped Phase One mall, the new seven-storey retail mall which forms part of Phase Two of Saigon Centre, is 100% committed with a total gross floor area of 55,000 sm. The mall houses more than 400 international and local brands as well as leading Japanese retailer, Takashimaya Department Store’s 15,000 sm flagship outlet in Vietnam.

Mr Tatsuo Yano, Managing Director, Takashimaya Singapore Ltd, said, “Takashimaya Group opens its third overseas department store in Saigon Centre. This development has come about through years of cultivated retail experience between Japan and Singapore. We aim to create a store that will become a well sought-after shopping destination for customers in HCMC.

“One important reason for our first venture into Vietnam is an opportunity to team up with an excellent partner in Keppel Land. We intend to further build on this relationship and together contribute to the enrichment of lifestyle for the people in HCMC.”

About 25% of the tenants in Saigon Centre’s retail mall are new-to-market. International renowned brands debuting in Vietnam include luxury and fashion labels Carolina Herrera, Kenzo, Moschino, Stuart Weitzman and Armani Exchange.

Close to 30% of Saigon Centre’s retail mall has been set aside for F&B, presenting diners with a wide selection of about 50 restaurants, cafes and food kiosks.

Opening their first F&B outlet in HCMC at Saigon Centre include Oedo Japanese Food Village which is inspired by an old alley in Tokyo and comprises seven authentic Japanese restaurants; Ember Grill and Italian serving fusion cuisine and over 100 types of cocktails; and Logic Pizza with its open concept kitchen. Popular Japanese restaurant Ike Ike Maru will also be opening its first branch at the mall.

Customers can also look forward to fresh concepts by popular brands in Saigon Centre. For instance, shoppers can relax after a day of retail therapy at Khanh Casa Tea House with the wide selection of teas in specially imported tea sets from India, while the latest collection of local fashion label, Umbrella and Cashew, is only available at Saigon Centre. Customers of home furnishing store, Nha Xinh, can also find unique and contemporary home décor and furniture that are only displayed for sale at Saigon Centre.

Families with young children can indulge themselves at tiNiWorld Edutainment Center, the only indoor children’s playground in the city centre, while early educational enrichment courses are available for the young at Little Einsteins Academy.

In creating a multi-sensory experience for customers, Saigon Centre’s retail mall is infused with a special aroma “Fine Fragrance”, which is exclusive for the mall’s use in Vietnam. In addition, to provide visitors with a thoughtful shopping experience, the mall offers complimentary mobile phone charging and bag deposit services, as well as strollers and wheelchairs for complimentary rental.

Shoppers can look forward to exciting upcoming events and promotional activities at the 500-sm atrium, as well as relax at the roof garden atop the retail podium once the office tower under Phase Two development, which is progressing on schedule, is completed in end-2017.

In recognition of its green features, Saigon Centre retail mall is the first shopping centre in HCMC to be conferred the Green Mark Gold (Provisional) award by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore.

Saigon Centre Phases One and Two are jointly owned by Keppel Land, Toshin Development Co., Ltd and Vietnamese partners, Southern Waterborne and Transportation Corporation and Saigon Real Estate Corporation. Keppel Land holds a 45.3% stake in the development.

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About Keppel Land Limited

One of Asia’s premier property companies, Keppel Land, a subsidiary of Keppel Corporation Limited, is recognised for its sterling portfolio of award-winning residential developments and investment-grade commercial properties as well as high standards of corporate governance and transparency.

The Company is geographically diversified in Asia, with Singapore and China as its core markets as well as Indonesia and Vietnam as its growth markets.

In Vietnam, Keppel Land is one of the largest and pioneer foreign real estate investors with a diverse portfolio of properties in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Vung Tau including Grade A offices, residential properties, integrated townships and award-winning serviced apartments.

With 19 licensed projects across Vietnam and a pipeline of more than 25,000 homes, Keppel Land is establishing itself as the choice developer, distinguished by quality and innovative lifestyle concepts.

About Saigon Centre

Saigon Centre is strategically located on Le Loi Boulevard, one of the city’s main thoroughfares and within proximity to the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) People’s Committee, Ben Thanh Market, Opera House, the Dong Khoi shopping belt and prominent hotels.

Developed in several phases, Phase One was completed in 1996 and comprises a three-storey retail podium, 11 floors of Grade A office space and 89 luxury serviced apartments. Phase One of Saigon Centre has established itself as the preferred business and residential address in HCMC. The 25-storey office tower in Phase One of Saigon Centre is 97% leased to the diplomatic corps, multinational companies as well as banking and financial institutions. Tenants include DBS Bank, AIG, Reuters and Mitsubishi Corporation.

Phase Two development will comprise 44,000 sm of premium Grade A office space, 55,000 sm retail area and 195 units of luxury serviced apartments when completed. Phase Two retail mall is currently 100% committed with over 400 international and local brands, including leading Japanese department store, Takashimaya, as the anchor tenant. With the diverse range of shopping, dining and leisure options, Saigon Centre is poised to be the shopping and lifestyle destination in HCMC.

A leader in building and architectural excellence in HCMC, Phase Two of Saigon Centre was conferred the Green Mark Gold (Provisional) Award by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore in 2012. The project was also named the Best Commercial Project and the Best Retail Project at the Vietnam Property Awards in 2015.

For further information, please contact:
Ms. Dinh Thi Bao Minh
Senior Marketing Communications Manager
Keppel Land Vietnam
Mobile: 0934 181 202
Email: minhdtb@kepland.com.vn