
The opening of McDonald’s first restaurant in Vietnam on Saturday drew massive crowds, as well as a live DJ, face painting and various performers.
Hundreds of people began camping out at the new location in Ho Chi Minh City hours before its 8 a.m. opening to get their first taste of a Big Mac and fries made in their own hometown, according to Liberty Voice.
Here’s a photograph of some of the lines snaking into the street:
The arrival of the fast food chain is seen as a sign of Vietnam’s rising wealth.
“Food industry experts say McDonald’s and other American fast-food brands typically market themselves in Asia as a lifestyle choice for the middle class, rather than as an inexpensive option for the poor, and that their Vietnam strategy is no exception,” according to The New York Times.
Vietnam’s per capita income rose to $1,550 in 2012 from $1,000 in 2008, according to the World Bank.
The new McDonald’s is the fast food chain’s first venture into a new southeast Asian market in two decades.
It’s also Vietnam’s first drive-thru restaurant.




A flood of scooters at the drive-through marks the opening of Vietnam’s first McDonald’s
McDonald’s attempts to lure back customers with open kitchen concept in Japan
McDonald’s Japan starts new campaign featuring burgers from their overseas restaurants
Our Japanese language reporter gets lucky with Vietnam McDonald’s Prosperity Beef Burger
Survey ranks Japan’s most popular fast food chains, McDonald’s surprisingly not No. 1
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
What’s inside Japan’s super-rare, super-popular Nara bread?
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Shabani the gorilla is so handsome he’ll be appearing on sweets in Japan this Valentine’s Day
Unique Starbucks in historic building is one of the most beautiful in Japan
Upskirt umbrellas are now a thing in Japan
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Original McDonald’s character Speedee makes a comeback in Japan
Food stall-like McDonald’s that only serves drinks and ice cream
McDonald’s Japan to sell Anko Pies this autumn
McDonald’s releases new rice burgers in Japan
Here’s what we got when we ordered the chef’s recommendation…at McDonald’s!
Adult Cream Pie coming to McDonald’s Japan
McDonald’s Japan set to release new Sanrio character-themed menu item
Big Mac sauce now comes in a jar from McDonald’s Japan
McDonald’s Japan releases new Tsukimi “moon-viewing” burgers for 2021
Sayonara Quarter Pounder: McDonald’s Japan takes iconic burger off its menu
We check out this year’s new “Ultra” Gratin Croquette Burger from McDonald’s Japan
How to make McDonald’s Katsu Curry Chicken McNuggets
New fries from McDonald’s Japan come with bolognese sauce and cheese
McDonald’s Japan profits soar out of 2017 and well beyond their best year ever
McDonald’s Japan’s Gurakoro burger faces a giant rival in Komeda’s Gurakuro
What did Mark Zuckerberg eat at McDonald’s in Japan, and is it as great as he says it is?
We taste McDonald’s Japan’s brand-new garlic burger, shrimp sandwich, and more