Thailand-invested MM Mega Market Vietnam is searching for a location in Vinh Yen town, capital of the northern province of Vinh Phuc, to build a hypermarket.
Bruno Jousselin, CEO of MM Mega Market Vietnam, made the proposal at a meeting with Tran Duy Dong, Chairman of the Vinh Phuc People’s Committee, on Thursday.
Bruno Jousselin, CEO of MM Mega Market Vietnam, talks with Chairman of the Vinh Phuc People’s Committee Tran Duy Dong in the northern province, March 7, 2024. Photo courtesy of Vinh Phuc newspaper.
Jousselin expressed high regard for the province’s geographical location, infrastructure, and investment attraction policies. He proposed that the people’s committee facilitate its search for suitable investment locations and streamline project procedures in line with regulations.
During the meeting, Chairman Dong noted the significant demand for commercial transactions and shopping in the province, adding that Vinh Phuc is yet to have a commercial center at a suitably high level.
He expressed support for the company’s proposal and instructed the Department of Construction, the Center for Investment Promotion and Enterprise Support, and relevant departments to collaborate with MM Mega Market Vietnam in identifying investment locations that align with the province’s planning and land use plan for Vinh Yen town.
Dong also urged the company to review potential investment locations based on suggestions from provincial departments to ensure that they are suitable and convenient for site clearance.
The chairman recommended that the company consider leasing existing premises in urban areas within the province to expedite the project’s development.
MM Mega Market Vietnam, a subsidiary of Thailand’s TCC Group, primarily focuses on trade and services. After 23 years of operation, the company has expanded its network to include 21 supermarkets, seven warehouses, five logistics centers, two central distribution centers, and two warehouses for fresh products. The firm employs over 4,000 people and has over 2,000 suppliers across the country.
MM Mega Market Vietnam last November broke ground on its first department store in Vietnam, signalling a strong commitment to expanding its presence in the Southeast Asian nation.
The facility, costing nearly $20 million, spans 19,197 square meters on Nguyen Sinh Sac street in Lien Chieu district of the central city of Danang and incorporates recyclable and energy-saving materials. The MM Mega Market Danang is expected to come on stream in late 2025.
SK Group’s subsidiary seeks to expand in Vinh Phuc
On the same day, during a meeting with ChairmanDong, Yoo Jin-Han, chief financial officer of SKC and CEO of ISC Company under South Korea’s SK Group, asked Vinh Phuc to provide favorable conditions for ISC to expand its production capacity in the province, especially in terms of human resources, with the goal of making the ISC Vina factory a key production base for SK Group in Vietnam.
Chairman of the Vinh Phuc People’s Committee Tran Duy Dong (fourth, right) and SKC representatives at their meeting in the province on March 6, 2025. Photo courtesy of Vinh Phuc newspaper.
ISC Company specializes in manufacturing semiconductor test sockets and is currently investing in the ISC Vina factory project at Ba Thien 2 Industrial Park in Binh Xuyen district, Vinh Phuc. The factory spans nearly two hectares, with total registered investment capital of over $12.3 million.
The ISC Vina factory produces five main products, including plastic and synthetic rubber in primary form, metal products, electronic components, mechanical and metal processing and coating, and plastic and aluminum molds for the semiconductor industry.
The project currently employs over 900 workers, and in 2024, it is expected to generate nearly $29 million in export revenue, contributing more than $340,000 to the state budget.
Dong commended SK Group’s expansion as aligned with Vinh Phuc’s investment attraction goals.
Regarding the company’s request for assistance with human resource challenges, Dong assured that the province has plans to provide high-quality workers and social housing for employees, meeting the needs of investors.
Vinh Phuc is a manufacturing hub in northern Vietnam, together with Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Ha Nam, Bac Ninh, and Thai Nguyen.
Japanese keiretsu Sumitomo is keen to build its second industrial park in Vinh Phuc, a representative told local authorities in mid February.
Sumitomo-invested industrial parks in Vietnam include Thang Long in Hanoi, Thang Long II in the neighboring province of Hung Yen, and Thang Long Vinh Phuc in Vinh Phuc province,
The Da Nang City People’s Committee launched the Hoa Ninh Industrial Park Infrastructure Investment and Business Project (Phu My 3 Da Nang IP) in Hoa Ninh Commune, Hoa Vang District, on February 18.
Approved by the prime minister on December 31, 2024, and granted with its investment certificate on February 18, 2025, the project is being developed by Thanh Binh Phu My JSC.
It covers over 400 hectares, with a total investment of 6,204 billion VND.
Strategically located near the Lien Chieu deep-water port and existing industrial zones, Hoa Ninh Industrial Park aims to develop a specialised, modern industrial ecosystem with integrated logistics and sustainable infrastructure. Designed to meet international standards, it will attract both domestic and foreign enterprises.
The project is expected to create tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, prioritising local labour recruitment and vocational training partnerships. Additionally, it will include worker housing, schools, hospitals, and recreational facilities to improve living standards.
Hoa Ninh Industrial Park is set to stimulate auxiliary industries, boost regional economic growth, and serve as a model for sustainable development, balancing economic progress with environmental protection.
On the occasion, Thanh Binh Phu My JSC donated 500 million VND to support disadvantaged households in Hoa Ninh Commune.
Vietnam’s central coastal province of Ninh Thuan aims to complete the site clearance for Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant in 2025.
Ninh Thuan Chairman Tran Quoc Nam made the statement during an on-site visit to the designated project site on Wednesday. The “whole political system” must join hands to make the move, including relocation and livelihoods for citizens, he added.
Ninh Thuan Chairman Tran Quoc Nam (second, left) visits the designated site for Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant on March 5, 2025. Photo courtetsy of Ninh Thuan TV.
The new residential areas for citizens to be relocated must be better than the previous ones, Nam stressed.
In 2005, Vietnam’s Party Central Committee greenlighted a plan to build two nuclear power plants in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan. Four years later, the National Assembly, the country’s legislature, okayed the plan with an initial investment of VND200 trillion ($7.9 billion at the current forex rate).
In November 2016, the parliament decided to halt the 4,000 MW project, citing safety, funding and technology reasons. In November 2024, it agreed to resume the nuclear power project in Ninh Thuan after an eight-year suspension.
In February 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has assigned state-owned groups Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Petrovietnam (PVN) to be investors of Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 nuclear power plants, respectively.
The PM also requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to coordinate with relevant agencies to get nuclear power plants built towards completion by end-2030, or end-2031 at the latest.
27 leading food and beverage companies from Vietnam participated in the Foodex Japan exhibition at the Tokyo Big Sight in Japan, held March 13-14.
Foodex Japan 2025 saw the participation of companies from 68 countries and territories, with over 3,100 booths covering a total exhibition area of nearly 30,000 square metres.
As part of the National Trade Promotion Programme, the Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has selected 27 of the top companies in the agricultural sector to participate in showcasing their flagship products.
The Vietnamese booth covered an area of 210 sq.m, featuring popular products with export potential that offer competition in the Japanese market such as vegetables, processed and canned fruits, cashew nuts, pepper, cinnamon, dipping sauces, rice and rice products, dairy products, and confectionery of all kinds such as cocoa and chocolate.
Nguyen Thi Yen, deputy director of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre, explained that companies participating in Foodex Japan are those that have already established a certain presence in the Japanese market.
“Through Foodex Japan, Vietnamese firms have the opportunity to penetrate and explore the Japanese market, thereby increasing exports of agricultural, food, and seafood products to this market,” said Yen.
The Asia Ingredients Group (AIG) introduced typical products from Vietnam at the event, such as concentrated juices, purées, canned coconut water, and dried fruits. These products are researched and produced by AIG from high-quality agricultural sources grown in renowned regions of Vietnam.
“The AIG booth has attracted the interest of partners and customers from Japan, and many other countries. This is an opportunity for us to bring our products into the supermarket system, retail chains, and food industry in Japan. Meeting the strict standards of Japan will strengthen AIG’s reputation, laying a solid foundation for international market expansion plans and contributing to enhancing the position of Vietnam’s food ingredient industry,” an AIG representative said.
In the Japanese market, AIG has a strategic partnership with Marubeni – a top Japanese trading and industrial group with a supply network in many countries around the world.
The Japanese market, with its immense consumption and crucial role in regional free trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, will help AIG connect supply and demand with potential markets in the region and around the world.
AIG has supplied food ingredients to the top brands in Vietnam for the past 23 years and has been researching and developing product systems for the global market.
With a network of over 300 international partners, AIG currently supplies and distributes more than 1,500 types of ingredients and product systems to over 40 countries and territories across five continents. AIG has established its presence in challenging markets such as the US, Europe, Australia, South Korea, China, and Malaysia.
Foodex Japan 2025 is a large-scale food and beverage trade event in Asia with the participation of over 3,000 reputable brands from 68 countries and territories, along with more than 76,000 visitors.
