A commercial vessel anchored off Fujairah has been taken by unauthorised personnel and steered towards Iranian territorial waters, intensifying concern over security at one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. The incident was reported 38 nautical miles, about 70 kilometres, north-east of the UAE port of Fujairah, close to the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. The ship was at anchor when unidentified personnel boarded it […]
Kyiv came under a large Russian missile and drone attack before dawn on Thursday, leaving at least one person dead, dozens wounded and rescuers searching through the ruins of a damaged residential building where residents were feared trapped. Explosions shook several districts of the Ukrainian capital during an air raid alert that lasted more than four hours, as air defences attempted to intercept a mixed barrage of […]
Apartment prices in the capital rose 0.28 per cent in the week through May 11, up from 0.15 per cent a week earlier, marking the steepest gain since late January. The increase extended Seoul’s run of weekly advances to 67 weeks, while nationwide apartment prices rose 0.06 per cent, underscoring a widening gap between the capital and the rest of the country. All 25 districts in Seoul posted gains, with Gangnam returning to positive territory after a 12-week decline and jeonse prices also climbing 0.28 per cent.
The renewed strength has added pressure on policymakers before the Bank of Korea’s May 28 rate-setting meeting, the first under Governor Shin Hyun-song. The central bank held its base rate at 2.50 per cent in April, citing rising inflation pressures, weaker growth risks and financial-market volatility linked to the Middle East conflict. Shin has signalled that policy will remain cautious and flexible, with price stability and financial stability both central to the bank’s calculations.
Housing is becoming a harder constraint for monetary policy because Seoul’s property market has moved in the opposite direction from the broader economy. Growth has been facing pressure from external demand uncertainty, higher energy costs and weaker household spending, yet the capital’s housing market continues to draw buyers who expect limited supply and further rental increases. That combination reduces the room for rate cuts, as easier financial conditions could feed more leverage into an already expensive market.
Consumer inflation reached 2.6 per cent in April, the highest reading since July 2024, after rising from 2.2 per cent in March. Transport costs, housing and utilities were among the categories adding pressure, while oil-linked effects from the Middle East conflict have complicated the central bank’s effort to bring inflation back towards its 2 per cent target. A departing board member, previously seen as dovish, warned this week that inflation control should remain the bank’s priority even at the cost of weaker growth.
The property upturn is also being reinforced by South Korea’s jeonse system, under which tenants provide large lump-sum deposits instead of monthly rent. Tight supply of rental homes and rising jeonse costs have encouraged some households to shift towards buying, particularly in Seoul districts where demand remains resilient despite lending controls. Housing rental prices have been moving higher since early 2024, and rent carries significant weight within services inflation, making it a sensitive issue for both the central bank and fiscal authorities.
Government measures have so far produced uneven results. Authorities tightened trading rules in wealthy Seoul districts last year, including Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa and Yongsan, after speculation returned quickly when permit requirements were eased. They also moved to fast-track housing supply in the capital region, where limited available land and slow redevelopment approvals have kept pressure on prices. Apartment prices in Seoul climbed nearly 9 per cent in 2025 despite those interventions, leaving policymakers wary that demand-side restrictions alone may not be enough.
The latest move comes after a brief moderation linked partly to tax policy expectations. Earlier this year, the central bank said price increases in Seoul and surrounding areas had slowed under the government’s plan to end the temporary suspension of higher capital gains taxes on multiple-home owners. The rebound in May suggests buyers may be adapting to policy changes rather than retreating, particularly in areas where expectations of long-term scarcity remain strong.
Financial stability concerns remain central because household debt is closely tied to housing prices. South Korea’s mortgage market has long made the property cycle a major channel for monetary policy, and a renewed rise in Seoul apartments could encourage more borrowing at a time when real incomes remain under pressure. A stronger won and improved equity sentiment linked to semiconductor demand may ease some external strains, but they also add complexity by supporting domestic confidence.
Fiscal policy is moving in a more expansionary direction, supported by strong tax revenue from the artificial intelligence and semiconductor cycle. Fitch has said South Korea has room for active spending because chip-sector strength has improved the revenue outlook, while monetary policy may need to stay restrictive because of inflation risks. That divergence places greater responsibility on the central bank to prevent housing and price pressures from becoming embedded.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Zimbabwe’s export map is shifting sharply towards the Gulf, with the United Arab Emirates emerging as the country’s largest overseas market as trade, minerals sales and investment talks deepen between Harare and Dubai. Bilateral trade reached about US$4.1 billion last year, driven mainly by mineral exports and reinforced by a new pipeline of investment discussions covering mining, renewable energy, manufacturing, agriculture and logistics. […]
Gulf banks are preparing to lean more heavily on private placements and syndicated loans as the Iran conflict continues to unsettle public debt markets and reshape funding plans across the region. Fitch Ratings said lenders in the Gulf Cooperation Council are likely to use quieter, negotiated channels if market volatility keeps public bond windows narrow. Private placements by Gulf banks have already exceeded $4.3 billion this year, […]
KK Chiu, International Director and Chief Executive, Greater China at Cushman & Wakefield, said,”We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition for our commitment to performance excellence. These awards highlight our teams’ market‑leading expertise and ongoing dedication to delivering outstanding outcomes for clients across the Greater China real estate market.”
Francis Li, International Director, Vice President, Greater China, Head of Capital Markets, Greater China, Cushman & Wakefield, added: “We are deeply honored that our Capital Markets team has won the highest honor at the Asia Pacific International Real Estate Awards, with several benchmark projects. This demonstrates the continued preference of capital for high-quality assets, and confirms our team’s professional capabilities across regions, asset classes, and the entire lifecycle of our services. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage cross-border resource integration and professional analysis to help build a more efficient and resilient real estate investment ecosystem in Greater China.”
Jonathan Wei, President of Project & Occupier Services, China, Cushman & Wakefield,commented, “Congratulations to the team on receiving these top honors at the 2026 Asia Pacific Property Awards. Our focus on delivering comprehensive and diversified real estate brokerage services spans corporate clients, developers, government bodies, real estate investment funds and institutions. Supported by extensive resources and deep market insight, we remain committed to playing an integral role in providing high‑quality brokerage and letting services.”
Tony Su, Managing Director, Head of Industrial & Logistics Properties, China, highlighted, “Despite the challenges faced by China’s logistics and industrial sectors, our team delivered an exceptional performance in 2025 to receive this recognition at the 2026 Asia Pacific Property Awards. We will continue to leverage our local expertise and global network to provide our clients with high-quality solutions and to drive sustainable development of the industry.”
Established in 1993, the Asia Pacific Property Awards (APPA) is part of the global International Property Awards, which celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. The Awards are judged by an independent panel of over 80 industry experts who evaluate design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.
Hashtag: #Cushman&Wakefield
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 53,000 employees in nearly 350 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region. In 2025, the firm reported revenue of $10.3 billion across its core services of Valuation, Consulting, Project & Development Services, Capital Markets, Project & Occupier Services, Industrial & Logistics, Retail, and others. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit 
www.cushmanwakefield.com.hk or follow us on LinkedIn (
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cushman-&-wakefield-greater-china).
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Tehran has offered to restore wider commercial access through the Strait of Hormuz if Washington ends its naval blockade of Iran’s ports, releases frozen funds and eases long-standing sanctions, marking a conditional diplomatic opening after weeks of war that have disrupted energy flows and shipping across the Gulf. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, said Tehran was prepared to reopen the waterway but […]
Jeep’s Rubicon badge has crossed one million global sales, strengthening the off-road marque’s standing in the Middle East as demand for high-capability SUVs continues to be shaped by desert driving, enthusiast communities and the enduring appeal of the Wrangler and Gladiator nameplates. The milestone covers Rubicon versions of the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator, two models positioned at the most capable end of the brand’s factory-built 4×4 […]
Fresh scrutiny of one of Earth’s largest known eruptions is weakening the idea that humanity was almost erased by a volcanic winter 74,000 years ago, with archaeological evidence from Africa and Asia pointing instead to scattered groups adapting through environmental shock. Lake Toba in Sumatra marks the site of a colossal supereruption that ejected vast quantities of ash and sulphur-rich material into the atmosphere during the Late […]
Set opposite Ben Thanh Market, One Central Saigon is a landmark mixed-use destination where luxury living, hospitality, retail and business converge at the centre of Ho Chi Minh City. The project also marks The Ritz-Carlton hotel brand’s debut in Vietnam, alongside The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Saigon, Grade A+ offices, curated retail, services and fine dining.
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 May 2026 – Masterise Homes, a member of Masterise Group, has officially launched One Central Saigon, Vietnam’s first mixed-use landmark destination, marking the arrival of a new address where international standards of living, hospitality, retail, business and services come together in Ho Chi Minh City.
The launch event was attended by representatives of Ho Chi Minh City government authorities, senior leaders from Masterise Group, Masterise Homes and Marriott International, as well as leading experts in real estate, economics and tourism.
Over the past decade, the centre of gravity of the global economy has shifted decisively towards Asia, with Vietnam emerging as one of the region’s most compelling growth stories. Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s economic engine, is entering a new phase of development as a dynamic, deeply connected metropolis.
Around the world, certain developments have helped shape how cities are recognised internationally, from Hong Kong’s IFC and Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands to Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. These projects did more than create striking skylines. They helped shape how the world sees their cities and countries. One Central Saigon is positioned within this tradition of city-shaping developments, with a vision that combines international standards, Vietnamese identity and long-term urban value.
“We believe Vietnam has reached the moment where it is ready for a development of the calibre of One Central Saigon,” said Ms Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong, Managing Director, Southern Region, Masterise Group. “The project has been present in Ho Chi Minh City for some time and has passed through several phases of development. Today, it is being introduced with a clearer vision. With a sense of responsibility to contribute to the nation’s development journey in a new era, Masterise Group aspires to continue building an iconic landmark where the world’s highest experiential standards converge with the identity, energy and ambition of the city. This is also how we contribute to projecting the image of a modern, confident and culturally rich Vietnam onto the international stage.”
A rare address in the city’s historic core
For more than a century, Ben Thanh Market has been one of Ho Chi Minh City’s great urban constants: a place of trade, arrival and encounter, and one of the few landmarks instantly recognised across Vietnam and beyond.
Its clock tower, market halls and surrounding streets are woven into the city’s daily rhythm and public memory, giving the area a significance that extends far beyond location. Set directly opposite the market, with four rare frontages along Pham Ngu Lao, Calmette, Le Thi Hong Gam and Pho Duc Chinh streets in the former District 1, One Central Saigon holds one of the city’s most strategic locations and shares a unique connection with Ho Chi Minh City’s historic urban core.
One Central Saigon will rise as two towers above a retail and commercial podium on an 8,537 sqm site, with 19,990 sqm of commercial space across seven above-ground levels and six basement floors. The retail centre is envisioned as a destination for luxury retail, curated services and fine dining, with brands and experiences selected for both international appeal and the evolving needs of Vietnamese customers. Its basement levels will connect directly to Ben Thanh Metro Station via an underground link, integrating the project with the city’s public transit network.
Together with Grade A+ offices, The Ritz-Carlton, Saigon and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Saigon, the development forms a seamless mixed-use ecosystem for luxury living, hospitality, retail, business, services and lifestyle experiences at the centre of Ho Chi Minh City.
Song Long Ngậm Ngọc: Vietnamese symbolism, global expertise
The architecture of One Central Saigon is inspired by Song Long Ngậm Ngọc, or Twin Dragons Playing with a Pearl, a Vietnamese cultural motif associated with strength, prosperity and wisdom. The two towers rise and converge around a central point, creating a contemporary architectural expression of Vietnamese identity within the Ben Thanh district.
Among the tallest twin towers in Vietnam and the region, One Central Saigon is a structurally complex undertaking that requires significant investment, precision, and attention at every stage of execution. The project brings together an international design and construction team, including Arquitectonica as design architect, HBA for interior design, B+H, a member of Surbana Jurong Group, as executive architect, and Turner for project management.
International operational standards add another defining layer of value to One Central Saigon. With more than a century of heritage in luxury hospitality, The Ritz-Carlton brings refinement, attention to detail, privacy and highly personalised service to the project’s ultra-luxury positioning.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Saigon opens a new chapter in ultra-luxury living, while The Ritz-Carlton, Saigon marks the hotel brand’s debut in Vietnam, reflecting Ho Chi Minh City’s growing appeal to international travellers, investors, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals.
The Grade A+ office component is designed for global corporations and forward-thinking business leaders seeking a workplace within a 5-star international ecosystem.
Vietnam’s luxury momentum accelerates
The launch comes as Vietnam continues to attract global capital, international brands and a rising generation of high-net-worth consumers. Official data showed real GDP growth of 8.02% in 2025, up from 7.09%, while foreign direct investment reached a record US$27.62 billion.
Tourism is adding further momentum. Vietnam welcomed nearly 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, its strongest year for inbound tourism, while Ho Chi Minh City received nearly 8.6 million international visitors, up 40.3% year on year.
Branded residences are following the same trajectory. Savills reports that branded residences in Asia Pacific increased by 55% over the past five years, while C9 Hotelworks’ Asia Branded Residences Market Review 2025 points to Vietnam as one of the region’s most important future supply markets.
For Masterise Group, One Central Saigon extends an international branded real estate portfolio that includes Grand Marina, Saigon, featuring Marriott and JW Marriott-branded residences, and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Hanoi at The Grand. It also gives Vietnam’s ultra-luxury real estate growth story tangible form beside one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most prized historical sites.
As the city enters a new phase of development, expanding in both scale and quality, thoughtfully planned and professionally operated integrated developments such as One Central Saigon are expected to enrich the city’s tourism, services and urban experience ecosystem. The project is positioned to create lasting value for the community and elevate the standing of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam on the international stage.
Hashtag: #MasteriseGroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Masterise Group is an international real estate development group, pioneering a comprehensive ecosystem spanning residential and hospitality developments, as well as urban infrastructure and logistics. Founded in 2007 as Thao Dien Investment and officially rebranded as Masterise Group in 2019, Masterise Group sees real estate as more than buildings; it is the foundation for a nation’s future, providing infrastructure for connection, momentum for progress, elevated living and generational legacy. With a long-term vision, Masterise Group continuously pushes boundaries, creates sustainable value, elevates quality of life and contributes to strengthening Vietnam’s new era of growth and global ambition.
Masterise Homes is a member of Masterise Group and manages and develops all of the group’s residential real estate brands. As Vietnam’s pioneer in branded real estate development, Masterise Homes’ mission goes beyond delivering architectural landmarks with refined design and integrated amenities. Masterise Homes strives to craft comprehensive living spaces where residents experience a standard of living that goes beyond the basic function of a home.
More info: https://masterisegroup.com/en.
For images: LINK
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