Saigon Co.op opens retail outlets and convenience stores at metro stations

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Trade Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op) and the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited (HURC—the operator of the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line) have recently signed a cooperation agreement to enhance market share and profitability. This partnership aims to improve the experience for metro passengers while contributing positively to the development of urban transportation and the city's retail market.

As part of the collaboration, Saigon Co.op and HURC will focus on four key areas: developing a retail system and Co.op-branded convenience stores at metro stations along the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien line to meet passengers’ needs for quick and convenient shopping; jointly implementing cashless payment solutions by integrating metro cards into Saigon Co.op’s payment system, leveraging its extensive data platform; launching exclusive promotions and discount programs for metro passengers shopping at Saigon Co.op’s network of 800 retail outlets; researching and applying green economy and circular economy solutions, as well as adopting technology and digital transformation in the management and operation of the metro system.

According to HURC, the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line is set to officially begin operation in December 2024, marking a major transformation in Ho Chi Minh City's urban transportation system. Stretching 19.7 km with 14 stations, the metro line serves as a symbol of modern infrastructure and a crucial foundation for the city’s tourism industry, particularly in promoting sustainable green tourism by connecting key cultural, historical, and entertainment destinations.

As Vietnam’s largest domestic retail system with a diverse range of formats—including Co.opmart, Co.opXtra, Co.op Food, Co.op Smile, Cheers, Finelife, Sense City, and Sense Market - Saigon Co.op aims to strengthen its core capabilities in 2025 while preserving the traditional cultural values built over its 35-year journey. The company is also committed to enhancing technology adoption, improving customer experience, and personalizing consumer needs. The year 2025 marks a crucial foundation for Saigon Co.op as it confidently steps into a new era of national growth. The partnership with the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line is a strategic move, enabling Saigon Co.op to expand and diversify its distribution network, drive digital transformation, and optimize the omnichannel shopping experience.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Nguyen Van Dung, emphasized that the event reflects the visionary cooperation between urban rail transit and the city's retail trade system, with Saigon Co.op taking the lead. He noted that this collaboration integrates modern transportation technology with advanced retail, aligning with the development of a modern city. City leaders also urged both parties to explore the integration of metro cards with retail services, allowing residents to conveniently shop at Saigon Co.op’s retail network.

Chairman of the Saigon Co.op Board of Directors, Vu Anh Khoa, highlighted that Saigon Co.op, with over 35 years of development, has always been at the forefront of enhancing customer shopping experiences through its supermarkets and various modern retail models. He described this collaboration as a model partnership, merging modern transportation infrastructure with contemporary retail trade. With the experience gained from the metro system’s development and Saigon Co.op’s extensive expertise in modern retail, he believes this initiative will create a modern, convenient, and value-added shopping experience for city residents. The partnership also serves as a meaningful and practical event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Reunification of Vietnam (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025).

HURC Director, Le Minh Triet, expressed his hope that this partnership would help promote the spirit of "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods." He emphasized that metro passengers would have greater access to high-quality domestic products, contributing to the sustainable growth of Vietnamese businesses and supporting the national economy. Additionally, both parties aim to encourage the use of public transportation, advance green and digital technologies in metro operations, and contribute to the development of a modern and sustainable urban transportation system for Ho Chi Minh City.