Vietnam Duty Free celebrates groundbreaking opening at Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi : Moodie Davitt Report

Opening in style: Remember the name and the VDF acronym as a new force in Asian travel retail announces its presence in style. Vietnam Duty Free brings a pioneering part walk-through presence to Vietnamese airport retail. {Photo: Vietnam Duty Free}

VIETNAM. Today is a red-letter day for Vietnam Duty Free, after it formally inaugurated its new stores at Noi Bai International Airport Terminal 2, writes Martin Moodie in Hanoi.

As reported, the retailer soft opened the stores inside the gateway to the nation’s capital on 19 September, offering an expansive and refined shopping space (for a detailed look at the stores scroll down to Picture Gallery) with more to follow in coming months.

The Moodie Davitt Report is here on location to join the celebrations and – a great privilege – to participate in the ribbon-cutting opening ceremony (pictured below).

**Click here for reaction from Vietnam Duty Free in our follow-up story**

We begin our coverage with some photos from today’s big event and will follow with a full report soon.

The opening represents a seminal and illustrious moment for Vietnam’s burgeoning travel retail sector and a coming of age for a new Asian duty-free force.

Vietnam Duty Free, strongly positioned as ‘The National Duty Free of Vietnam’ offers shopping zones in T2’s west and east wings, the former a pioneering walk-through experience for Vietnamese travel retail. Later this year it will open a big space immediately post central security, formerly occupied by Empire Duty Free.

The open and elegant stores present a diverse and vibrant combination of international and local products, embracing liquor, tobacco, perfumes, travel essentials, fashion accessories, watches, toys, food & confectionery and more.

**Vietnam Duty Free CEO Le Thai Bao welcomes VIPs and guests to a landmark day for both company and country {Photo: Noi Bai International Airport}**

A proud moment for Vietnam Duty Free and a breakthrough one for Vietnamese airport retail as the stores are inaugurated. Pictured left to right are: Ta Manh Hung – Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Member of the Board of Directors, Vietnam Airlines JSC; Le Thai Bao – Chief Executive Officer, Vietnam Duty Free Corporation; Nguyen Van Tho – Director General, Department of Viet Nam Customs; To Ho Thu – Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, Vietnam Duty Free Corporation; Martin Moodie – Founder & Chairman, The Moodie Davitt Report; Doan Minh Quan – Deputy Director, Northern Airports Authority; Senior Colonel Nguyen Huu Khanh – Chief of the Noi Bai International Airport Border Gate Police{Photo: Noi Bai International Airport}.

**‘*Chuc Mung*’ (Good luck): Floral congratulatory messages add colour to the opening day {Photos above and below: Noi Bai International Airport}**

**The tag line says it all as Vietnam Duty Free fuses international and local elements in distinctive style**

Today’s celebrations were accompanied by a series of promotions themed ‘A Taste of Vietnam’, a series of experiences celebrating local flavours and culture

They include:

Photobooth Moments: Passengers can strike a pose pre-flight with a Vietnamese touch added to their photo keepsakes.

Handcrafted Coffee Experience: Savour Vietnamese coffee hand-brewed by the Vietnam Duty Free barista, the beverage notable for its distinctive aroma and rich, bold flavour.

Spirits Tasting Bar: Travellers can enjoy freshly crafted cocktails and discover new flavours from a curated selection of Vietnamese spirits.

Look out for our full report, coming soon. ✈