Hai Phong retail market becomes more vibrant as purchasing power rises
Up nearly 16% in eight months, retail sales and service revenue, along with demand stimulus programs, are creating momentum for a breakthrough in Hai Phong’s economic growth.
Rising purchasing power
In August and the first half of September 2026, GO! Hai Duong supermarket welcomed an average of 3,500 customers a day, with the figure reaching as high as 6,500 on weekends. Vũ Thị Sen, the supermarket’s director, said sales in August rose by 4-5.5% year on year. The supermarket offers 15,000-17,000 products and regularly runs promotions to attract consumers.
According to a report by the Party Committee of the Hai Phong People’s Committee, total retail sales of goods and service revenue in the city exceeded VND 283.101 trillion in the first eight months of 2026, up nearly 16% year on year. August alone recorded more than VND 37.805 trillion, up 12.6%. Trade and services continue to contribute to the city’s economy, helping it achieve its target of GRDP growth of at least 13% in 2026.
The purchasing power was supported by demand for preparations for the new school year, spending during the seventh lunar month and late-summer travel. According to the Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, Hai Phong was among the localities nationwide with relatively strong growth in retail sales revenue in the first eight months of 2026.
Alongside AEON MALL Hai Phong Le Chan, the city’s modern retail network is set to gain another new destination. On October 3, AEON Hai Duong Shopping Center is expected to open in Thach Khoi Ward. With a total floor area of about 38,100 m2, the center will combine AEON’s direct retail area with 37 specialty stores. The project is expected to meet consumer demand, expand business space for enterprises and add a new destination for shopping and experiences in the western part of the city.
Tourism has also helped expand Hai Phong’s consumer market. In the first eight months, the city welcomed more than 12.74 million tourist arrivals, up 17.4% year on year. The increase in visitors drove demand for accommodation, dining, shopping, entertainment and recreation, creating more business opportunities for commercial and service establishments.
Expanding markets, increasing consumer value
According to Nguyen Hoang Long, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, the city aims to achieve total retail sales of goods and service revenue of VND 427.88 trillion in 2026, with annual growth targeted at 14-15% in the following period. Hai Phong is oriented toward developing modern commercial infrastructure, connecting e-commerce with traditional markets, supermarkets, shopping centers and logistics, and enhancing the competitiveness of the market.
To enable purchasing power to make a greater contribution to the city’s economy, demand stimulus efforts need to be linked to greater capacity to sell local products. When Hai Phong goods gain access to major distribution systems, businesses have more opportunities to expand their markets and increase output.
Recently, the Department of Industry and Trade coordinated with AEON Vietnam Co., Ltd. to organize a business-matching program involving 35 enterprises. The businesses learned about supplier selection criteria and discussed product traceability, quality management, labeling and product documentation to gain access to modern retail systems.
As of July 2026, 14 Hai Phong businesses had been distributing and selling products through the AEON supermarket system, supplying hundreds of product codes. According to Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hue, Senior Director of Human Resources Strategy and Brand Division at AEON Vietnam Co., Ltd., AEON has organized training and provided support to producers to improve product quality and meet distribution standards, expanding opportunities for Hai Phong products to enter domestic supermarket systems and export markets.
In the final months of the year, Hai Phong will continue stepping up demand stimulus activities and connecting supply and demand, while tapping into the tourism advantages of Cat Ba, Do Son and Con Son - Kiep Bac to expand demand for shopping and services. Diversifying products, improving service quality and extending visitors’ stays will help increase tourist spending.
HA KIEN