Within the context of M&A Vietnam Forum 2016, which places an emphasis on “mergers and acquisitions in a more liberal context,” the second session witnessed many exciting and straightforward debates focusing on the stiff competition between enterprises, industries, and regional nations, in the context that Vietnam has become increasingly attractive in the eyes of foreign investors.

Consummer products and real estates are the magnetics

According to speakers, consummer products and real estate are magnetically attracting foreign investors.

Ms. Dinh Thi My Lan, Chairwoman of Vietnamese Retailers Association, said that recently local retailing industry is leaping in growth. Vietnam has a population of over 90 million people, most of which are young and dynamic. Therefore, retail is growing at a stable pace and its performance is proven better than other industries. That explains why foreign investors highly recommend Vietnamese retailing industry as an attractive gold-mine to cash in on.

Furthermore, urbanization process generates a bigger pie of share for all enterprises. In fact, there remains ample room for retailing growth in Vietnam, since the country’s occupancy rate of modern retailing in malls and convenient stores is quite modest (less than 30%)

Mr. Sam Yoshida, Senior Executive Director from Recof Corp said that investment deals to Vietnam accounts for 80 percent of their investment budget, even higher than that cashed in Japan. Owning to recent openness of local retail market and the diversity of retail channels, there are more and more investment packages from Japan, and increasing number of favorable investment policies

The 9.8-ha Senturia Vuon Lai, situated on the other bank of Vam Thuat river, belonging to An Phu Dong ward of District 12 (HCMC), is developed by Tien Phuoc Real Esate Company as a high-end leisure villa property.

Senturia Vuon Lai includes 97 townhouses, 41 semi-detached villas, and 56 single-detached villas. All living spaces are designed in a manner that ensures optimal spatial utilisation and natural exposure.

The exterior features harmonious moving blocks in steps and heights to create striking boldness and liberty, a good fit for house-owners who favor impeccable family-oriented lifestyle. The interior boasts large and vast space to accommodate different styles of furniture arrangement and display.

Every single detail of this project, from materials to plants, bushes or color shade, are well blended with the outdoor nature. Pathways are paved with basalt step-stones to create a feeling of curving movement and positive energy. Harmony is shown in house design and interior decoration. The aim is to catch as much ‘wealth energy’ as possible from wind, sunshine, and water elements.

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Hong Ky, feng-shui guru, the project features three advangegous and compatible elements in one place, a critical condition to generate new wealth energy for prosperty, wealth, and good luck. The eastern and southeastern side of the property, where it confronts Saigon river up to 300 meters, inherit what is called ‘Wood element’ in feng-shui terms. Wood represents human beings, and it is strongly supported by the Water element in the North and Northeast, for Water gives birth to Wood. Water in feng-shui principle is said to manage wealth; therefore, according to Mr. Ky, this land-lot has all three compatible elements in one place, thus creating an fresh energy to bring about wealth, good luck, prosperity, and fullfilment.

According to one representative from Tien Phuoc Real Estate Company, Thanks to its feng-shui advantageous location, the property is clear of any ‘direction & omen’ concerns typically found amongst prospective buyers.

Senturia Vuon Lai is expected to hand over houses by Quarter 4 of 2017.

Tien Phuoc Real Estate JSC is going to build a brand-new resort-like villa complex named Senturia Vuon Lai in An Phu Dong Ward of District 12. In the future, it will become the first resort villa and townhouse property in Saigon Northeast Region, where residents can enjoy open-air refreshment and tranquility far from the hustle and bustle of Saigon streets.

A look on the map will reveal the project’s prime location as it inherits what fengshui gurus would call ‘prosperity energy.’ According to feng-shui guru Nguyen Huu Hong Ky, the land-patch running 300 meters to the east and southeast of Saigon river is identified to inherit ‘Wood element.’ Wood symbolises human beings, and it is strongly supported by Water element of Rach Gia river in the north and northeast, since Water element gives birth to Wood. In feng-shui principles, Water element controls the flow of money; therefore, according Mr. Ky, the land-lot of Senturia Vuon Lai lies at a supreme location marked with three advangegous and compatible elements, thus creating an fresh energy to bring about wealth, good luck, prosperity, and contentment.

Senturia Vuon Lai comprises of 97 garden houses adjoining each other, 41 semi-detached villas, and 56 single-detached villas. Thanks to its feng-shui advantageous location, the property is clear of any ‘direction & omen’ concerns typically found amongst prospective buyers. The location is naturally favorable from the beginning, and the prosperity energy it brings about, in feng-shui terms, will even boost wealth for the sake of residents.

With over 23 years of experience in mid-end and high-end project development, Tien Phuoc leverages that original feng-shui vantage point to turn Senturia Vuon Lai into a property of even better feng-shui value by deploying nature-friendly exterior and interior designs. Everything from building materials to color shades and green space is designed to embrace the nature. Internal pathways are paved with basalt step stones to create natural curves and movement feeling, a typical design to ensure positive energy for the property. This striking harmonious feature is also shown in every communal and public facilities. Everything is mingled in order to create the most ideal place for family enjoyment and recreation.

The developer will estimatedly hand over houses to buyers in Quarter 4 of 2017. Senturia Vuon Lai is a place worth living for future occupiers, with rivers and prime location abound. It is not only a classy resort garden villa boasting quality living but also an esteemed property in terms of potential reselling values

Le Meridien Saigon comprises of 350 rooms, 4 restaurants & bars, gym facilities, healthcare and spa facilities, outdoor pools, and nearly 800m2 space for conference halls. Le Meridien Saigon will be part of the overall 23-floor complex including 5-star hotels and a range of A-class office leases covering 14,000 m2 of floor area. The project is estimated to finished by Quarter 2 of 2012.

Le Merdien Saigon, once completed, will become an eye-catching emphasis of the city landscape thanks to its advantegous position on Ton Duc Thang street of District 1 downtown, and the whole façade facing Saigon riverfront as well as Thu Thiem New Urban Zone. It will be a significant plus to Saigon’s existing contemporary facilities and contribute to the city image.

The project is joint-venture by Tien Phuoc Limited Company and 990 Manufacturing, Trading, and Service Company. The hotel will be placed under the management of Starwood Hotels & Resort Worldwide Inc., one of the world leading corporations in hospitality and hotel management. Starwood Hotels is the owner of many other prestigious hospitality brands such as St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and most recently Aloft®, và Element SM. Le Meridien Saigon will be a valuable addition to the reputation of Starwood brands in Asian region as well as the world.

This agreement ceremony also marks the debut appearance of Le Meridien brand in Vietnam. “We are confident that Le Meridien brand with its French architectural appearance and strong emphasis on authentic and artistic gastronomy will be a good fit for Vietnamese culture,” said Matthew Fry, Deputy Senior President of Starwood Corp. “Tien Phuoc & 990’s professional consulting team leaves strong impression on us, and we are strongly confident that this brand will be a success in Vietnam.”

This project is to cater resettlement needs of households whose land have been reclaimed for site clearance to make way for Thu Thiem New Urban Zone. Nam Rach Chiec Limited Company (aka Joint Venture of Tien Phuoc – Keppel Land – Tran Thai) are chosen by HCMC Municipal People’s Committee as the investment owners.

An Phu – Binh Khanh resettlement project includes seven 18-story blocks of apartment flats built on a 3.6-ha land plot, totaling 1,844 flats. The total building floor coverage is 210,563 square meters.

There are three types of flats, including one-bedroom suites (46.9 m2), two-bedroom (60.9 m2), and 3-bedroom (84 m2). This resettlement housing project is characterised by modern design, quality construction, proper as-signed materials, spaciousness, cutting-edge public facilities to ensure satisfation of recreation, residence, and relaxation demands of resettled households.

According to a representative from Nam Rach Chiec Limited Company, the flats were built upon the expertise and consultancy from Singaporean companies who imparted their insights from already completed projects of small-sized flats aimed at middle-income Singaporeans. 

As planned, the investment owners will hand over 1,132 flats to the municipal authorities for the first housing dispatch by end of 2010. The remaining flats will be finished and handed over in Quarter 2 of 2011.

On 31 August 2010, South Rach Chiec Central LLC hosted a topping out ceremony for the first resettlement condo project at An Phu-Binh Khanh quarter in HCMC’s District 2.

The resettlement buildings were developed under the form of land in exchange for infrastructure. That means the city, instead of using its budget for building those condos, called for private companies to invest their capital, and in return, the city will give land to those companies.

This is the first resettlement condo project developed in collaboration between the local government and a foreign partner – South Rach Chiec Central LLC, which is a joint venture between Flemmington Investments wholly owned by Singaporean developer Keppel Land and local partners Tien Phuoc and Tran Thai companies.

The resettlement condo project at An Phu-Binh Khanh is part of the city’s program to build some 12,500 apartments for displaced families in the New Urban Thu Thiem. Some 13,000 families were displaced to offer land for the new urban development.

April 8th 2016, My My Trades and Services Company Limited, a member of Tien Real Estate Joint Stock Company just started the construction of American International Hospital (AIH) – the first hospital to follow American standard in Vietnam.

Construction Commencement Ceremony of AIH

The Construction Commencement Ceremony has seen attendance of representative of HCMC People’s Committee, HCMC Department of Health, related authorities, press agencies and especially domestic and international medical professors and doctors.

American International Hospital will be the first hospital to be constructed following the American standard in Vietnam. With its capacity of 150 beds, AIH will be equipped with most modern medical facilities with a team of highly-skilled medical practitioners and specialists trained in the U.S and Vietnam. AIH will be mainly major in GI-Liver, Vascular surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Urology. In addition, AIH will also focus on research as well as cooperation with other well-known hospitals in the U.S.

Board members of AIH and honored guests

According to Ms. My Linh, Director of branch of My My Trades and Services Company – American International Hospital, the company’s investment in the Hospital is based on its wish to develop a high-quality medical institution with top medical services to accommodate the community’s needs for healthcare.

Situated in District 2, one of the fast-pace developing districts of Ho Chi Minh City, AIH is projected to be completed after 18 months and launched in March 2018.

Thu Thiem New Urban Area is planned to be a new modern world-class city center within Ho Chi Minh City. This will be a sustainable urban area with strong integrations between modern facilities/structures and natural sceneries to enhance working and living quality standards. This area will include financial center, commercial component, services, mixed-use residential as well as other cultural, pleasure and entertainment related projects accommodating the requirements of Ho Chi Minh City for its long-term development.

On June 30th, 2015, the People Committee of Ho Chi Minh City hosted the Investment Certificate Presentation Ceremony for Empire City Limited Liability Company for the development of the Thu Thiem Observation Tower Complex Project (as also known as the Empire City Project) in the core of Thu Thiem New Urban Area.

The Empire City Limited Liability Company is the Joint Venture Company at the ratio of 50%-50% between two local parties, which are Tien Phuoc Real Estate Joint Stock Company and Tran Thai Lands Company Limited, and Denver Power Limited (United Kingdom), which is managed and controlled by Gaw Capital Partners Group – a multinational fund management corporation.

According to the approved planning task, the purpose of the project is to accomplish the whole technical infrastructure on a land area of 14.56 ha, along the Mai Chi Tho Boulevard and alongside the Saigon River, and also develop and operate a complex of hi-end commercial center, 5-stars hotel, international standards residential and serviced apartments, offices, underground parking… with a total gross floor area of 730,000 sqm, in which, there is an 86-storeys building – a focal landmark of Thu Thiem New Urban Area. The registered capital of the project is around VND26,000 billion which is equivalent to USD1.2 billion. The project will be developed from the fourth quarter of 2015 and expect to be completed in 2022 through 4 phases.

According to Mr. Vo Sy Nhan – General Director of the Project Company: “The Empire City LLC is trying the best effort to complete all the necessary investment procedures to promptly commence the groundbreaking in the fourth quarter of 2015. Concurrently, the Project Company will arrange capital resources from foreign financial institutions with the best interest rates and will utilize mostly Vietnamese workforce and also the experience from foreign partners to develop and operate this grand project. The Empire City project will definitely create a fantastic living – working – entertainment environment in Thu Thiem New Urban Area as well as in Ho Chi Minh City.”

The residents had been living in a temporary 17.3 hectare resettlement area in An Phu-Binh Khanh Ward.

Speaking at a ceremony to hand over the apartments, Le Thanh Hai, Secretary of the City Party Committee expressed his gratitude to the residents who had patiently cooperated and evacuated their homes so that the development project of the new urban area in the city could take place.

Mr. Hai asked the District 2 People’s Committee to help residents settle into their new homes.