Recently, McDonald's announced on its Facebook page the closure of the Ben Thanh branch at 2-2A Tran Hung Dao, Pham Ngu Lao ward, District 1, HCM City. This was one of the first outlets of the fast-food chain in Vietnam.

“Though we hate to say goodbye, at 2 AM on September 19, 2024, McDonald’s Ben Thanh will close, ending a 10-year journey filled with emotion,” McDonald’s announced regarding the cessation of operations at the McDonald’s Ben Thanh store.

McDonald’s entered the Vietnamese market in February 2014 with its first store at 2-6 Bis Dien Bien Phu, Da Kao ward, District 1, HCMC, which also serves as the headquarters of McDonald’s Vietnam. At that time, the U.S. fast-food brand announced plans to open 100 stores within 10 years.

However, ten years later, McDonald’s currently operates only 36 stores across various provinces such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and HCM City. With the closure of McDonald’s Ben Thanh, the chain now has only 35 stores nationwide and 17 in HCM City.

Operating 24/7, McDonald’s Ben Thanh was located on Tran Hung Dao street, not far from Ben Thanh Market. The store spanned three floors, covered an area of 660 square meters, and had a seating capacity of about 260 customers. Its prime location in the bustling center of HCMC made it a popular spot among patrons.

While McDonald’s has not revealed the specific reason for the closure of this prime branch, it is widely speculated that the U.S. fast-food brand could not withstand the rental prices in downtown HCM City.

Previously, Starbucks also announced the closure of the Starbucks Reserve store situated at a prime location on Han Thuyen Street, Ben Nghe ward, District 1, HCM City, effective from August 26.

Anh Phuong