Isobe Daisuke, general director of Aeonmall Vietnam, said the company would continue expanding its shopping mall network while selecting development models suited to the characteristics and needs of each locality.

Aeonmall Vietnam last Friday held a press meeting to introduce two new shopping malls in Thanh Hoa province and Ha Long (Quang Ninh province), which are expected to open in October and November 2026, respectively.

Following the opening of Aeon Mall Da Nang Thanh Khe in July, the two new projects will bring the total number of shopping malls invested in and operated by Aeonmall Vietnam to 10.

Notably, Aeon Mall plans to open four shopping malls in Vietnam in 2026 alone. This is the Japanese company's fastest pace of expansion in Vietnam to date, underscoring the growing importance of the country of 100 million people in Aeon's Southeast Asian growth strategy.

Speaking at the press meeting, Isobe said Vietnam was one of Aeon Mall's key markets in Southeast Asia. The company would continue to expand its shopping mall network while choosing development models appropriate to the characteristics and needs of individual local markets.

Aeon Mall Thanh Hoa is expected to attract about 10 million visitors a year, while Aeon Mall Ha Long is targeting around 7 million visitors annually, Isobe said.

The size of the customer base is one factor making Vietnam an attractive market for the Japanese group.

Tezuka Daisuke, executive officer, chief Vietnam business officer of Aeon Co., Ltd (Japan), general director of Aeon Vietnam Co., Ltd, said Aeon shopping malls in Vietnam currently receive about 10 million to 16 million visits a year.

Visitor numbers at Aeon malls in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are even higher than those at some of Aeon's major markets in Japan and rank among the highest in Asia, he said.

"By 2030, Aeon aims to triple its business scale from current levels. Therefore, Aeon's investment in Vietnam in the coming period will be very large," Tezuka said.

According to Aeon executives, the group's strategy is to continue seeking new locations and take the lead in developing shopping malls, anticipating the growth of Vietnam's economy.

The move is also in line with Aeon Mall's expansion pace in 2026. Opening four shopping malls in a single year will not only broaden its presence in major cities but also bring its shopping mall model to local markets with growing populations and purchasing power.

In the central province of Thanh Hoa, Aeon Mall is being built on a site of about 105,000 square meters, with total floor space of around 120,000 sqm and leasable area of about 52,000 sqm. The mall is expected to open on October 15 and officially launch on October 18, 2026.

The project will have more than 130 stores, with more than 60% of the brands making their first appearance in Thanh Hoa. A notable feature is a roughly 10,000 sqm indoor sports and entertainment area, including five pickleball courts. It is the first time Aeon Mall has introduced pickleball courts at one of its shopping malls in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Aeon Mall Ha Long will occupy a site of about 91,000 sqm, with total floor space of around 130,000 sqm and leasable area of about 54,000 sqm. The mall is expected to open on November 11 and officially launch on November 14, 2026.

The project is expected to have around 140 stores, with more than 50% of the brands making their first appearance in the area.

Unlike Thanh Hoa, where the mall is positioned mainly around shopping, entertainment and family and community activities, Aeon Ha Long is being developed to combine shopping with tourism and experiences. Spaces such as Sunken Garden and Forest Market are designed to reflect the characteristics of the coastal province of Quang Ninh and its heritage.

From shopping malls to local economic ecosystems

Aeon Mall's simultaneous expansion in Thanh Hoa and Ha Long shows that its strategy is shifting from a focus on several major cities towards tapping local markets with growth potential.

One factor highlighted by Aeon is its ability to connect with local businesses and suppliers. The two new malls are expected to create around 7,000 direct jobs while providing more opportunities for local businesses to join supply chains and improve their production and business capabilities.

Tezuka said Aeon was not only targeting retail operations in Vietnam but also seeking to strengthen connections with domestic suppliers, thereby contributing to import and export activities in localities.

This is a notable aspect of Aeon's expansion strategy, as the economic impact of shopping malls extends beyond retail revenue to job creation, attracting visitors, expanding markets for suppliers, and establishing additional linkages with local businesses.

Alongside commercial scale, Aeon Mall said measures to respond to natural disasters had been studied and incorporated from the design and construction stages of the two new projects.

The approach has previously been implemented at Aeon Mall Hue (Hue city), amid the frequent impact of heavy rains, storms, and extreme weather events in many parts of central and northern Vietnam.

Planning for the ability to maintain operations under adverse weather conditions therefore affects not only the safety of customers and employees but also business continuity.

For Aeon, Vietnam is entering a long-term expansion cycle. Economic growth, urbanization and changes in consumer behaviour are creating room for modern retail models to expand beyond the country's traditional economic centers.