The opening of the first shops in Vietnam in 2017 has been confirmed by H&M. However, the brand still has not given further information about the plan, including the debut, the number of shops, venues and scale.

Just some days ago, a notice about job recruitment in Vietnam was released by Manpower Group, a human resource service provider, on behalf of H&M. The fashion brand plans to employ 100 workers in Hanoi to prepare for the first shop, covering an area of 2,000 square meters.

Prior to that, in 2016, Zara, another high-street fashion brand, opened its first shop in HCMC. 

Fashion shop owners are worried because they may lose jobs because of the official presence of the foreign brands in Vietnam.

Fashion shop owners are worried because they may lose jobs because of the official presence of the foreign brands in Vietnam.

Phuong Thuy, an office worker in Hanoi, said if foreign fashion brands set up their shops in Hanoi, she would no longer buy products from privately run shops which sell goods carried to Vietnam across border gates.

Thuy earlier this year leaped for joy after hearing that Zara may open its first shop in Hanoi in 2017, but later felt disappointed when Zara opened only in HCMC. 

“Zara now only has a shop in HCMC and I still have to buy Zara’s products via Facebook,” she explained. 

However, she would prefer to buy products from official shops if the brands open shops in Vietnam.

“The selling prices in Vietnam would be higher than in their home countries. However, I think I will buy products at shops in Vietnam. This will be more convenient,” she said. “I will also buy H&M products.”

Zara’s shop in HCMC has been very busy since its opening. Phuong Anh, a housewife, said she buys Zara’s products for all members of the family as they have high quality and reasonable prices.

“Some friends of mine ordered Zara’s products via Facebook and they regret the decisions,” she said.

“If ordering products via Facebook, you will have to wait 5-7 days to get deliveries. Meanwhile, the price gap is inconsiderable,” she explained.

Thuy Hoa, the owner of a shop that sells goods carried to Vietnam across border gates, admitted that the number of orders has decreased since Zara’s shop opened. She said she would have to reconsider her business strategy if foreign high-street fashion brands open more shops in Vietnam.

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Tu Le