Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Duty Free Global from Ireland, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.
VIETNAM. Today’s selection comes from The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan, who captured these striking images during her latest visit to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, where a new retail chapter is taking shape.
In mid-July Vietnam Duty Free unveiled its latest stores in the Terminal 2 International Departures area, alongside the Memories of Vietnam store. The initial Vietnam Duty Free opening focuses on fashion & accessories and The Cocoa Trees confectionery store, with additional outlets set to launch in neighbouring retail units over coming months.
The Vietnam Duty Free store offers a wide selection of brands from Coach, Tumi, Michael Kors and Bally. The Cocoa Trees offers confectionery brands such as Chupa Chups, KitKat, Lindt, Ferrero, Snicker’s, Cadbury’s, Toblerone and Kinder among many others.
The dual opening pairs Vietnam Duty Free’s international retail offer with Memories of Vietnam, a dedicated sense of place concept celebrating the country’s culture, craftsmanship and culinary heritage.
The store features an extensive range of locally made products, from premium Vietnamese coffee, chocolate and dried mango to handcrafted wooden figurines, traditional souvenirs and locally produced spirits & wine, giving departing travellers an authentic taste of Vietnam before departure.
The store also offers a perfumes, luxury leathergoods and jewellery section focused on local brands. Its design is inspired by traditional Vietnamese architecture and is reminiscent of a traditional Vietnamese market.
The openings come against the backdrop of Vietnam’s fast-evolving travel retail sector. Earlier this year, Vietnam Duty Free Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China Duty Free Group (CDFG) and CDFI, with discussions centred on opportunities at Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, as well as the continued development of Vietnam’s travel retail market.
The partnership reflects growing confidence in the country’s tourism and aviation sectors, with Vietnam targeting 25 million international visitors in 2026 following a record-breaking 2025.
With further stores set to open alongside these first concepts, the development signals an ambitious expansion of the retail offer at Noi Bai International Airport, reinforcing Vietnam’s growing profile as one of Asia Pacific’s most exciting travel retail markets. ✈
