After a two year revamp, Saigon Center reopened to the public last Saturday with the debut of its anchor, the Takashimaya department store.
The 55,000sqm center has three storefronts on Le Loi, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia and Pasteur Sts, and gathers some of the world’s luxury and upmarket brands under one roof, some of them new to Vietnamese shoppers. With three basement floors of parking, the shopping mall features two basement levels to be occupied by F&B retailers, including McDonald’s, Highlands Coffee and Breadtalk. French bakery Pat’a Chou expands its business with a small but romantic outlet designed as a street cafe.
Most of this level space is divided for gourmet grocer and deli Annam Gourmet and Ike Ike Maru Japanese restaurant. Annam, as usual, features an array of international and imported foods and wines and incorporates a small cafe in the corner. Ike Ike Maru celebrates its debut in Vietnam market.
Level 1 is now home to apparel and cosmetics retailers such as G2000, Noir, FCUK, Pleats Kora. Optical retailer Owndays has its first store in Vietnam here while Spanish fashion chain Mango is located in the largest corner of the level. Two local Vietnamese brands have space here too: Mymy by Phuong My and Kelly Bui.
Those entering the centre from Pasteur Street are welcomed by a large atrium with well-known restaurants and cafes including Ember Grill and Italian, Runam, and Cafe Terrace. Runam chooses to make it a small boutique that looks like a bird cage, built a bit higher than the ground, making it a highlight of the whole floor.
In the corner of this level, watch brand Omega promises to open in October, nearby Moschino. Other brands include Kenzo, Tumi, Brooks Brothers, Pandora, and Stuart Weitzman.
On level two, besides familiar names such as Nine West, Pedro, Aldo, Armani, and Ted Baker, shoppers are anticipating the opening of Topman/ Topshop and French Paul cafe in September. Topman will have a two-floor outlet spanning levels two and three. Opposite Topman, American Coast apparel has its third store in Vietnam.
Sportswear brands such as Adidas, Nike, Under Armour, Converse and Vans share level three with from Gaudi and Valentino Rudy. In the corner, English brand Dorothy Perkins is scheduled to open in September, its third store in Vietnam.
Level four is the space for family with home furnishing outlets, bookstore, cafes and a children’s playground tiNiWorld. A standout retailer is Studio 77, combining a home interiors store with a cafe.
The highest level is home to a food world, separated into three sections. The first is Oedo Japanese Food Village with restaurants including Botejyu, Sushisen, Bankara Ramen, Sundubu Hotpot and Gourmet Yatai. The second is for Asian cuisine with Gogi House, Kichi Kichi, 37th Street and Osaka Ohsho. The rest of the space is divided among local and overseas eateries, including Hoang Yen Premier Buffet and Crystal Jade Kitchen. There are also Thai, Italian and American offerings.
Local franchised food chain Wrap & Roll also has a new store here, fresh from its recent funding win from Mekong Fund III last month.
This is Phase Two of the Saigon Center development, which will be fully completed by the end of 2017 with the construction of 195 luxury serviced apartments above the mall.
