Malbon to Launch First Store in Vietnam this December 2025

By Hannah Ng – SEA Golf & Lifestyle Market Insights

The global golf lifestyle scene is changing and fast. Over the past decade, golf has undergone a cultural transformation, shifting from a traditional sport into a dynamic intersection of fashion, creativity, community, and premium lifestyle experiences. Few brands embody this shift as powerfully as Malbon Golf, the Los Angeles–born label that has captured the attention of golfers, athletes, musicians, and fashion-forward consumers worldwide.

This December 2025, Malbon is officially entering Vietnam.

Opening next month on Dong Khoi Street, Ho Chi Minh City, the brand’s first physical store marks a major step not only for Malbon but for Vietnam’s evolving golf and fashion landscape. The launch is made possible through a strategic partnership with TKG Lifestyle, part of The Kho Group, the same group that introduced % Arabica to Vietnam and continues expanding influential lifestyle brands across the region.

This article explores what Malbon’s arrival means for Vietnam, why the timing is perfect, and how this move reflects broader trends shaping golf, retail, and lifestyle culture across Southeast Asia.

A Strategic Entry: Why Vietnam, Why Now?

Vietnam is one of Asia’s fastest-growing golf destinations, with around 100 operating golf courses and more under development for 2026 and beyond. Golf tourism arrivals from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Europe, Aus, … are increasing year after year. Meanwhile, domestic interest in golf has surged, particularly among young professionals and high-income consumers in major cities.

But the opportunity extends beyond the fairways and clubhouses. Vietnam is also a rising consumer market for premium lifestyle brands, streetwear, and global fashion labels. Cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are developing into regional hubs for luxury retail, youth culture, and lifestyle consumption.

Inside the First Malbon Store in Vietnam

The first Malbon Vietnam flagship will occupy a two-level, 250 sqm space on Dong Khoi Street, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most prestigious shopping districts. This location places Malbon alongside established luxury and lifestyle players—positioning the brand exactly where its target audience lives, shops, and socializes.

The store will showcase:

• Full golf apparel collection
• Lifestyle clothing and accessories
• Performance golf staples
• Seasonal drops
• The signature Icons line
• Limited-edition items crafted specifically for Vietnamese consumers

This “glocal” strategy global brand, local touch is becoming increasingly important in Southeast Asia, where cultural nuance and market-specific identity strongly influence purchasing behavior.

Malbon’s move to introduce Vietnam-exclusive releases also signals its intention to engage deeply with the local audience rather than replicate a standard global template. According to Vynce Nguyen, General Manager of The Kho Group Vietnam, Malbon’s entry is well-timed: “We see immense potential in Vietnam, not just because of the expanding golf market, but because of Malbon’s nature as a lifestyle brand.”

Beyond Retail: Building a Golf Culture Community

Malbon’s expansion into Vietnam is not limited to physical retail. The brand plans to bring its global community initiatives to the country, particularly the Buckets Club—a membership-based program that has become a cultural phenomenon worldwide. In Vietnam, Buckets Club will host:

• Exclusive member-only drops
• Community meetups and golf sessions
• Social and cultural events
• Lifestyle-driven pop-ups

These community-building activities align perfectly with the behavior of Vietnam’s young and affluent demographic, who value social experience, creativity, and brand-driven community identity. Nguyen hints this will also extend to pop-ups across the country: “We’ll also bring the brand to life through pop-ups in premium locations and energetic hotspots, places where culture, creativity, and lifestyle intersect.”

Think: Da Nang beach events, Hanoi café takeovers, boutique hotel collaborations, tournament pop-ups, nightlife crossovers, and more.

A Regional Strategy: Vietnam Follows Malbon’s Philippine and China Milestones

The Vietnam launch comes on the heels of two major milestones for Malbon in Asia:

1. The world’s largest Malbon flagship store unveiling in the Philippines in April 2024
2. Its new headquarters opening in Shenzhen, China, signaling the brand’s long-term Asian strategy

Open a physical store in Vietnam is the natural next step of the brand in Asia. Its golf market is growing faster than nearly any other in the region, with international demand surging and domestic players entering the sport at younger ages.

Vietnam’s Golf Market: A New Playground for Lifestyle Brands

To understand why Malbon fits so well in Vietnam, it’s important to look at the emerging trends shaping the industry. Vietnam’s new golfers are in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s. They are:

• Trend-driven
• Social media savvy
• Influenced by culture, fashion, and global identity
• Interested in lifestyle brands, not just sportswear

A Look at the Future: Expansion Plans in Vietnam

The first store is only the beginning. Malbon and The Kho Group plan to open multiple locations across Vietnam in the next 12 to 24 months, targeting:

• Hanoi – the heart of North Vietnam’s elite golf scene
• Da Nang – a rising international golf destination
• Phu Quoc – a luxury tourism and resort island with high golf tourism potential

Malbon’s first store in Vietnam is more than a retail expansion, it’s a cultural milestone. It reflects the rising demand for golf lifestyle experiences, the rapid evolution of Vietnam’s consumer market, and the shifting identity of golf itself. As The Kho Group continues shaping Vietnam’s lifestyle ecosystem, Malbon stands poised to become a defining brand for the next generation of golfers in Vietnam.