Coffee lovers in Vietnam will soon get another choice as Seattle-based coffee giant Starbucks has confirmed it will open first cafe early next month.
The original opening was scheduled before the end of 2012, however, the company decided to delay citing the beginning of the year is the best time to open.
Speculation has been ongoing as to the launch location, the current tip being adjacent to the New World Hotel in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.
Starbucks has collaborated with Hong Kong-based Maxim’s Group to open cafes in the country.
“We’ve been in the (southeast Asian) region going on 16 years, and given our success in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, as well as our overall financial performance, we see Vietnam as the next natural entry point,” said John Culver, president of China and Asia Pacific region.
The coffee giant is confident it can build a strong customer base given the country’s reputation as coffee lovers.
“We know coffee is a national pride for many Vietnamese and as such, we look forward to contributing to and growing Vietnam’s already vibrant coffee industry,” said added Culver.
The Vietnam expansion is part of Starbucks bold goal to operate 4000 outlets by the end of 2013 in Asia Pacific, including 1000 in China.
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