The 2024 Vietnamese Typical Goods Fair and the Vietnam ASEAN International Furniture & Home Accessories Fair was inaugurated in HCM City on August 27. — Photo courtesy of the organisers

The second Vietnam ASEAN International Furniture & Home Accessories Fair, which opened in HCM City on August 27, aims to help make the city a leading hub for furniture not just in Southeast Asia but Asia.

VIFA ASEAN has 600 booths set up by over 200 exhibitors from Việt Nam and 13 other countries and territories, including mainland China, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, the US, Italy, the Netherlands, Thailand, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and Taiwan (China).

The fair showcases a wide range of products, including furniture, outdoor furniture, handicrafts, home décor, machinery, hardware, tools, and support services.

It will feature an industrial seminar titled ''Green-Eco with Net-Zero'' on topics such as FSC certification and sustainable development in the furniture and wood processing value chain, carbon credits and their role in the green economy and green transition by businesses in the furniture and wood processing industry.

A booth at the Vietnam ASEAN International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair being held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City’s District 7 from August 27 to 30. — VNS Photo

Organised by Liên Minh Company, the VCCI, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Business Associations, and the Vietnam Association for Building Materials, VIFA ASEAN is being held concurrently with the 16th annual “Vietnamese Typical Goods Fair” until August 30.

Organised by HUBA and the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City, the Vietnamese Typical Goods Fair has 150 exhibitors, almost the same as last year, including most strong brands in HCM City .

Products on display include processed foods, household goods, leather products and footwear, textiles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, handicrafts, and others, HUBA chairman Nguyễn Ngọc Hòa said.

He said the two fairs promise to benefits the business community and underline the status of Vietnamese indoor and outdoor export furniture and other products on the international market.

Visitors at the 2024 Vietnamese Typical Goods Fair. — VNS Photo

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the two events, Nguyễn Văn Dũng, deputy chairman of the city People's Committee, said the Government has issued Decision No.386/Qd-Ttg on developing the domestic market for locally made products in conjunction with the campaign ''Vietnamese people give priority using Vietnamese goods '' in 2021-25.

Its goal is to maintain a market share of 85 per cent for Vietnamese goods in modern distribution channels and over 80 per cent in traditional channels, he said.

So businesses need to bring to the market quality products at reasonable prices, he said.

He appreciated the initiative to combine the two shows, and expressed the hope they would be a place for businesses to enhance links and meet potential partners and customers to learn and exchange experiences, helping take more products to the international market.

Liêm said exports of wood and furniture products are back on a growth trajectory after declining last year, with exports reaching US$10.7 billion in the first seven months of the year, a year-on-year increase of 25 per cent.

While optimistic about a recovery in exports, he also cautioned about challenges such as competition, continuing high shipping costs, stricter requirements related to quality, safety and product origin, and protectionism.

In this context, participating in international export fairs presents a golden opportunity for businesses to possibly secure orders and expand their markets, he added.

The events, being held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7, will go on August 30. — VNS