The 2015 Viet Nam-Myanmar trade service and tourism fair. — File Photo

Hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), the fair is expected to offer Vietnamese enterprises a good opportunity to explore investment and trade opportunities in the growing market.

ITPC Director Pham Thiet Hoa said the fair would have 120 booths, providing information on trade, services and tourism in HCM City, and separate exhibition areas for hi-tech agriculture and building materials.

Municipal officials and businesses will conduct a market survey in Yangon and Mandalay cities from March 31 to April 5.

In his speech at a recent workshop in HCM City, Hoa said although the low-end consumption segment comprised the major part of the Myanmar market, the middle and high-end segments were being expanded thanks to the country's efforts to open up the market.

Myanmar consumers' taste was also affected by customs and religions, and they gave priority to shopping for goods for daily use and preferred to buy products with discounts or promotions, he said.

Economists say Myanmar is a good potential market for Vietnamese commodities, especially food, consumer goods, beverages and construction materials, besides machinery and products for agricultural production.

Many Vietnamese brands, such as Vissan food, Sa Giang rice products, Trung Nguyen coffee and Vinamilk milk and juice, as well as Dien Quang light bulbs and Dai Dong Tien plastic goods, have successfully made inroads into Myanmar's market.

Statistics from the General Department of Customs show Viet Nam exported goods worth more than US$378.5 million to Myanmar in 2015. Bilateral trade is still modest compared to their trade with other ASEAN countries. — VNS