Visitors at the 2019 Saigon Autotech & Accessories exhibition that has opened in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo My Phuong

The 2019 Saigon Autotech & Accessories exhibition opened on Thursday in HCM City.

Vietnamese companies and those from the US, Japan, China and Korea have set up around 300 stalls to showcase cars and motorbikes, accessories like tyres, batteries and mechanical parts and services.

It will offer businesses networking opportunities in the form of seven meeting sessions, and there will be a competition for sound quality between car speakers.

Around 15,000 visitors are expected.

Phan The Anh, deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Agency for Southern Affairs, said Viet Nam has been enacting policies to develop supporting industries, especially in the auto sector.

But they are only producing simple parts and there is a lot of room for growth, he said, adding that activities that facilitate co-operation and trade between local and foreign companies are vital.

The annual exhibition, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7 until Sunday, is held by the ministry's industry department, the Viet Nam Association for Supporting Industries, the Asia Trade Fair & Business Promotion Holdings, and business groups. — VNS