At the beginning of the 20th century, the Indochina and Africa Trade Union (LUCIA) established the Maison Godard Trading Center. Maison Godard sold consumer goods imported from France, India, Hong Kong, and French colonies such as Algeria and Morocco. Maison Godard was seen as a turning point in Hanoi's commerce at that time. In the 1920s, when many shop owners in the surrounding area began selling Western shoes, European clothing, and perfumes, Maison Godard lost its monopoly and began allowing Vietnamese people to enter freely.

In 1953, after the owner of the building, Godard, subdivided and sold it to local merchants, and as the French government began to realize the risk of defeat in Indochina and other parts of the world, it adopted a policy of major divestment. At the same time, the Godard building was sold to several merchants from other countries. After changing hands several times, the building underwent exterior architectural changes and was renamed Grands Magasins Réunis.

In 1959, during the implementation of the public-private partnership policy, the name Godard faded into the past, ushering in a new era of operation under the name "Bách hóa Tổng hợp" (General Department Store), now under the ownership of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. General Department Store officially opened, becoming the first state-owned commercial store in Hanoi, and the largest store in the capital and the entire North at that time. It was also considered a popular destination for Hanoians and visitors from many other places.

In 1993, General Department Store was transferred to a state-owned enterprise. However, this business direction proved unsuccessful despite multiple redesigns and investments. September 29, 1995, marked the final working day of General Department Store. The period that followed was a transitional phase for its business model. By 1999, Vinaconex had entered negotiations to acquire the site.

After being taken over and rebuilt, General Department Store was renamed Trang Tien Trade Center. In 2002, Trang Tien Trade Center officially opened, with a total investment of 145 billion VND. The building was designed by French architect Claude Cuvelier. The center offered a wide range of products, from basic goods to high-end items, reflecting the diversity of Vietnam’s Renovation period.

In 2007, during the equitization of Vinaconex Corporation, the state-owned capital share in Trang Tien Trading Investment Co., Ltd.—the managing unit of Trang Tien Plaza—was transferred to the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC). During this period, business performance appeared to be sluggish, yet Trang Tien Plaza continued to be regarded as a symbol of a premier shopping center.

In 2013, IMEX PAN Pacific Group invested 45 million USD to upgrade and renovate the old business model, transforming it into the high-end shopping destination Trang Tien Plaza. The center brought together over 200 world-class brands such as Gucci, Versace, Lancôme, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Cartier, Salvatore Ferragamo, Rolex, and more. Today, Trang Tien Plaza has become one of Hanoi’s most popular shopping and tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. Beyond its luxury and elegance as a retail center, it is also recognized as a cultural and historical symbol of the capital city.