Hanoi (VNA)𓄧 - Vietnam's annual largest fair, Vietnam Expo 2023, opened on April 5 at the Hanoi International Centre for Exhibition (ICE) with 600 booths by more than 500 enterprises from 16 countries and territories.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai told the opening ceremony, “Vietnam Expo has generated economic values and opportunities. It has helped Vietnamese businesses increase export, expand foothold in the domestic market, improve the capacity to join the global value chain, and realize the government’s commitments on global integration.” Besides trade promotion programs using traditional methods, Vietnam Expo continues to maintain B2B trade on online platforms. With the number of visitors increasing by 30 per cent each year (except for the two years affected by the pandemic), the quality of successful transactions at the exhibition increased by 25 per cent per year; and successful contracts after the exhibition increased by 15 per cent. There are several groups of products, including national brands and export enterprises; international pavilion; electronics, machinery and equipment and supporting industries; digital technology and e-commerce; and food. Earlier, the organizer said the highlight of the expo 2023 will be the Korean national pavilion. This is the 24th consecutive year that the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) has selected Vietnam Expo as a special event to promote trade in the light industry, smart and consumer electronics, and both the food and beauty sectors. Furthermore, the pavilion of Chinese provinces and cities is expected to open up bright prospects ahead for trade promotion between Vietnam and China after a period of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To mark 10 years of the Vietnam - Indonesia strategic partnership, the Indonesian national pavilion will focus on business opportunities between the two countries, along with introducing Indonesia’s landscapes, culture and people. As the special guest of the Vietnam Expo, Poland will bring to the event a stall themed “Tasteful EUROPE”, aiming to introduce high-quality agricultural products from Europe to the domestic market. Over the past 30 years, Vietnam Expo has established itself as a prestigious brand where Vietnamese enterprises participate in advertising and introduce their products, which global trade promotion organisations choose as a destination for business and investment startups in the Vietnamese market. Besides this, activities to connect buyers and specialised seminars will be held within the framework of many different sessions and topics to help increase efficiency in attracting investment and promoting trade between domestic and international markets.

Held annually in Hanoi since 1991 by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and Vinexad Company, the oldest trade fair in Vietnam is currently organised in Ho Chi Minh City every December, along with the one in the capital city every April.

Over the past 32 years, Vietnam Expo has become a prestigious venue for Vietnamese businesses to promote and introduce their products, as well as for global trade promotion organisations that favour the Vietnamese market./.