Vietnam’s Viva Star Coffee to enter Malaysia with first Klang store in October

Vietnamese café chain Viva Star Coffee is set to launch in Malaysia in October through a joint development partnership with GinsengWorld Biotech Berhad, opening at Wyndham Acmar Klang as it extends its franchise-led Asian expansion.

— Source publishedMon, 24 Aug, 2026, 09:28 IST·First seen Mon, 24 Aug, 2026, 09:34 IST·Source Inside Retail Asia

What happened

Vietnamese cafe chain Viva Star Coffee will enter Malaysia in October through a joint development partnership with GinsengWorld Biotech. The chain, which

Key facts

  • First Malaysia store scheduled for October
  • Entered Cambodia in 2018
  • Six coffee bean varieties
  • Six brewing methods
  • Japan was a key export market in 2022

Why this matters

Viva Star Coffee’s alliance with GinsengWorld Biotech illustrates how overseas F&B brands can use local development partners and hospitality locations to reduce market-entry friction and test scalable franchise expansion.

What to watch

  • Opening-date confirmation and the exact outlet format, seating capacity and menu at Wyndham Acmar Klang.
  • Announcement of Malaysian halal certification, local supply partners or central-kitchen arrangements.
  • Evidence of a multi-unit development agreement, franchise recruitment program or stated store-count target.
  • A second Malaysian location announced within six to twelve months of the Klang launch.
  • Pricing versus Starbucks, ZUS Coffee, Gigi Coffee, local café chains and Vietnamese-food competitors.
  • Hotel occupancy, delivery-platform availability and customer reviews during the first three months.
  • Secure halal-related certifications, local sourcing arrangements and menu adaptations suited to Malaysian consumer preferences.
  • Use the Wyndham launch to test Vietnamese coffee beverages, food pairings, price architecture and daypart demand before committing to larger-format stores.
  • Target second-site pipelines in Klang Valley hospitality, malls, transit-adjacent developments and business districts.
  • Build local digital delivery, loyalty and social-media acquisition channels to avoid dependence on hotel footfall.
  • Clarify development rights, store-opening targets and capital commitments under the GinsengWorld partnership.

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