Mapletree and SCID celebrate the groundbreaking of SC VivoCity in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The milestone event was graced by both Singapore and Vietnam officials.

1. Mr. Chua Tiow Chye, Group Chief Investment Officer of Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd.
2. Mr. Paul Ma, Board Director of Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd.
3. Madam Nguyen Thi Nghia, Former Chairwoman of Saigon Co-op and SCID and Chairwoman of Advisory Council
4. Mr. Le Trong Hieu, Party Committee Secretary of District 7
5. His Excellency Ambassador Simon Wong Wie Kuen, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to Vietnam
6. Mr. Tran Tuan Anh, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ministry
7. Madam Nguyen Thi Hong, Vice Chairman of HCMC People's Committee
8. Mr. Truong Van Lam, Head of Management Authority for Southern Area Development of HCMC
9. Mr. Hiew Yoon Khong, Group Chief Executive Officer of Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd.
10. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of Saigon Co-op and SCID
11. Mr. Tan Kian Chew, Group Chief Executive Officer of NTUC FairPrice in Singapore

Ho Chi Minh City – Saigon Co.op Investment Development JSC (SCID), an affiliate of Saigon Co.op and Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd (Mapletree), a fully-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, two leading corporations in developing and managing successful commercial and retail developments in Vietnam and Singapore today jointly celebrated the groundbreaking of SC VivoCity, a multi-experiential one-stop “family-lifestyle-destination” mall situated at Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

With a combined investment cost of USD 100 million from both companies, SC VivoCity forms part of Saigon South Place complex, a 4.4-ha integrated mixed-use development which also comprises modern grade-A high rise office towers and internationally operated serviced apartments, with total GFA of 267,000 sqm. The integrated development will be developed at a cost of USD360 million and is located in a district which sees a large presence of multinational corporations and expatriate communities. When completed, SC VivoCity is envisioned to be a “family-lifestyle destination” mall for middle to middle-upper class Vietnamese as well as expatriates living and working in Ho Chi Minh City.

SC VivoCity will feature 72,000 sqm of exciting retail space spread over five storeys and a basement. The architectural and interior design are by HOK, one of the US’s and the world’s largest design firms. SC VivoCity embraces the successful attributes of Singapore’s iconic VivoCity mall, itself an award-winning and largest retail destination in Singapore. It also embraces the success in Vietnam’s retail industry with Saigon Co.op. The mall will feature fashion retailers, a hypermarket, a cineplex, as well as lifestyle, entertainment, education and food & beverage outlets. It will further bear unique features such as a skypark and a children playground at its rooftop which will make SC VivoCity one of the best places for family entertainment.

Saigon Co.op will collaborate with NTUC FairPrice Singapore to set up the new hypermarket, Co-op Xtra in the mall. SC VivoCity will be anchored by a hypermarket with an area of approximately 8,000 sqm in the basement. It will promise to meet customers’ demand by a variety of merchandises, competitive prices and excellent customer service. As cooperatives and top retailers in two countries, both Saigon Co.op and NTUC FairPrice uphold the social responsibilities to the people and the community.

Mr Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of Saigon Co.op, SCID and Chairman of Vietsin Commercial Complex Development Joint Stock Company (VCCD), the joint venture company behind Saigon South Place complex, said, “The groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in the diversification strategy of the modern retail business of Saigon Co.op and SCID. SC VivoCity shopping mall, the first phase of Saigon South Place complex, combines Mapletree’s management experience in commercial complexes and shopping malls across Asia with Saigon Co.op’s retail experience and understanding of the Vietnam market. It is envisaged that SC VivoCity will become a truly international retail and leisure destination in Ho Chi Minh City.”

The perfect combination between Saigon Co.op’s retail experience and understanding of the Vietnam market and Mapletree’s track record in the development and management of successful shopping centers in Asia will certainly offer an international retail and leisure destination in Vietnam in the coming years.

Mr Hiew Yoon Khong, Mapletree’s Group Chief Executive Officer said, “We are pleased that Mapletree’s expansion in Vietnam has gained significant traction through our partnership with Saigon Co.op Investment Development Joint Stock Company. With its exciting retail mix and offerings, SC VivoCity will herald a new standard for retail in Ho Chi Minh City and it will cater to the strong demand for good quality retail malls that comes with a dynamic and emerging economy like Vietnam.”

The groundbreaking event was graced by Vietnam officials including Mr Tran Tuan Anh, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ministry and Mdm Nguyen Thi Hong, Member of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee. His Excellency, Mr Simon Wong Wie Kuen, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Mr Pong Kok Tian, Singapore Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City also attended. The keen support by related governments further underscored the on-going momentum of Singapore investments into Vietnam.

The completion of SC VivoCity is scheduled for the first quarter of 2014.

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