Ho Chi Minh City Retail & Distribution Market Overview 2024 – 2025
The retail and wholesale distribution market in Ho Chi Minh City is witnessing strong transformations in the 2024 – 2025 period, serving as the economic locomotive of the country. With impressive retail growth 15% in the first 10 months of 2025, Ho Chi Minh City is affirming its position as the most attractive “piece of cake” for businesses in the food and household products industry.
Economic recovery after the pandemic along with government stimulus policies has created a new wave of consumption. Not only limited to traditional shopping channels like wholesale markets, the modernization trend with the rise of e-commerce and omnichannel retail models is reshaping the entire supply chain.
Industry Landscape: Food & Household Products
1. Food Industry (F&B)
This is the solid pillar of the retail market. The food and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry records stable growth 19.1%. Consumers are becoming more demanding, not just requiring “full stomach” but “clean and delicious” food.
Demand for fresh food, organic food (organic) and products with clear origin (traceability) is surging. Wholesalers are racing to upgrade cold chain systems and logistics to ensure product quality.
2. Household Products Industry
Impressive growth 25.3%, surpassing even the food industry in speed. This shows the great interest of Ho Chi Minh City residents in improving quality of life. Smart household appliances, modern kitchen equipment and interior decoration items are the hottest products.
Major Players and Distribution Hubs in Ho Chi Minh City
To penetrate this market, businesses need to understand the wholesale and retail distribution map:
Food
- Wholesale Warehouses & Import Channels: Names like New Fresh Foods, Nguyen Phat Dat, VIFOODS, Sagrifood are leading in supplying high-quality imported and frozen meat and seafood.
- New Technology: Kamereo is a typical example of B2B E-commerce model, directly connecting farms and restaurants with technology.
- Processed Food: San Ha, Bao Minh An are important links in the ready-made food supply chain.
Household Products
- Modern Retail System: Điện Máy Chợ Lớn, Nguyễn Kim, Điện Máy Xanh, Thiên Hòa dominate the authentic and premium product segment.
- Traditional Wholesale Markets:
- Bình Điền Market: “The ”stomach” of the city, where the largest wholesale goods source is concentrated.
- Bình Tây Market (Chợ Lớn): Paradise for household appliances, plastics, ceramics at wholesale prices.
- Thủ Đức Market & Hòa Bình Market: Important hubs for the eastern area of the city.
- Online Wholesale Warehouses: The rise of Gia Dụng Nhanh, Tổng Kho Buôn Sỉ Tmark shows the strong encroachment of the online sourcing trend.
5 Consumer Trends Shaping 2025
- Careful Spending But Prioritizing Quality: Consumers are tightening their belts on unnecessary luxury items, but are ready to spend heavily on essential products with high quality and good durability. Value for Money is the core keyword.
- Premiumization: The middle class in Ho Chi Minh City is expanding. They demand luxurious shopping experiences, beautiful packaging, and dedicated customer service.
- Green Living & Sustainability: Environmentally friendly products and biodegradable packaging are no longer a “trend” but a standard. Businesses that don't go green will soon be eliminated.
- Omnichannel Shopping: Customers search online, visit stores to experience, then order through apps for discounts. The online – offline boundary has been blurred.
- Ultra-Fast Delivery: In the food industry, convenience is king. Quick Commerce model (delivery within 30 minutes – 1 hour) is becoming the new competitive standard.
Strategic Directions for Businesses (2025 – 2030)
Facing these opportunities and challenges, manufacturing and distribution businesses in Ho Chi Minh City need to act immediately:
1. Comprehensive Digital Transformation of the Supply Chain
Don't just sell online, digitize the entire logistics. Using AI to forecast demand and optimize inventory is a mandatory move to reduce logistics costs – the biggest burden today.
2. “Capture” Suburban Markets
The central area is crowded and expensive. Real growth potential lies in suburban districts (Nhà Bè, Bình Chánh, Củ Chi) and neighboring provinces. The rural mini-supermarket model is proving superior efficiency.
3. Focus on Customer Experience (CX)
In the era of transparent pricing, service is the only thing that brings customers back. Personalizing the shopping experience and loyalty programs (Loyalty App) need to be invested in systematically.
4. Build Emotional Brands
Tell the story of your product's origin. Customers in 2025 buy “stories” and “trust” more than product functionality.
Conclusion
The Ho Chi Minh City market in 2025 is an ocean full of storms but also big fish. Businesses that dare to change, apply technology, and put customers at the center will be the steadiest captains. The breakthrough opportunity is in the hands of those who see the shift in today's consumer flow.
