The first 7-Eleven in Vietnam opened its doors in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday, heating up the competition in the already crowded convenience store sector.

The inaugural 164-square-meter store will carry products that are typical of 7-Eleven stores around the world, in addition to products specifically tailored for the Vietnam market, according to the Vietnamese franchise operator, Seven System Vietnam (SSV).

More than 100 local fresh food items will be offered daily alongside signature brands such as Slurpee and Big Bite.

Vietnam is the 19th country entered by 7-Eleven.

The franchise was brought to the Southeast Asian country via 7-Elevent Inc. -- the U.S. subsidiary of the Japanese brand holder Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.

Seven & I Holdings is the world’s fifth largest retailer with 54,000 stores in approximately 100 countries.

The inauguration of the Ho Chi Minh City 7-Eleven location attracted long lines of customers queuing to enter the store, raising online confusion as to why local young people could be so eager to try out a new corner store.

Vietnam’s convenience store market has been busy in recent years with active foreign players including Circle K, FamilyMart, and AEON’s MiniStop.

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