32 wood and handicraft businesses are looking for partners and markets

Vietnamese wooden and handicrafts products are present in 163 countries around the world

Mr. Tran Phu Lu, Deputy Director of Investment and Trade Promotion Center in Ho Chi Minh City (ITPC), said that Vietnamese wooden and handicrafts products are highly regarded for their potential for sustainable development, stable export growth and high economic efficiency.

"Each product is a work of art, having both utility and aesthetic value, boasting the skillful and talented craftsmanship of the Vietnamese workers, a combination of sophisticated manual methods and artistic creativity. Each product carries the cultural identity of Vietnam, conveying the enthusiasm and pride of the Vietnamese people", said Mr. Lu.

According to statistics by the General Department of Customs, the export value of wood and handicrafts products in Vietnam was only a modest 214 million USD. By 2004, the export turnover had exceeded the 1 billion USD milestone and reached the 6.9 billion USD milestone in 2015. In 2021, despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the export turnover of wooden and handicrafts products still reached 14.12 billion USD, which is an increase of 17.6% compared to 2020.

Vietnam is currently the world's sixth largest exporter of wooden and handicrafts products with more than 4.0% of the world trade market share, ranking second in Asia and leading in the Southeast Asia region. This is a fairly high growth rate in the context of difficulties and challenges, making a significant contribution to the increase of the country's overall export turnover.

Vietnamese wooden and handicrafts products have been present in over 163 countries around the world, contributing to promoting products imbued with national cultural identity to international friends.

No longer rudimentarily shaped products, Vietnamese wooden and handicrafts products are increasingly intricate in their artistic designs, manufacturing techniques, applicability and durability as well as  environmental and social issues.

Most importantly, issues of origin and legality of raw materials used, issues related to safety and health, clean production - environmentally friendly, etc. were all addressed.

On the other hand, the tastes and consumption trends of wooden and handicrafts products are changing rapidly. Wooden and handicrafts products crafted using reused and recycled materials are forecast to be developed even further.

It is an opportunity and also a great challenge for production businesses, cooperatives, and traditional craft villages in Vietnam when the current state of production is still fragmented, small; the production technology and equipment are limited and quality control, design do not meet requirements.

Promote and expand the market

For Vietnam's wooden and handicrafts industry to confidently reach out to the world, according to Mr. Tran Phu Lu, businesses need to determine the export strategic direction for the period of 2022 - 2025. That is, build a stable source of wood materials in addition to legally imported wood materials; the model of linking afforestation must be expanded between wood processing businesses and afforestation households in order to build a stable and sustainable domestic source of raw materials; focus on renovating production equipment technology and training to improve workers' skills; improve product design and quality management capacity; Pay special attention to environmental criteria and working conditions for employees.

On the other hand, businesses also need to promote trade promotion activities to connect the global supply chain, focus on product groups with competitive advantages, increase product value, and meet international standards to reach different market segments around the world, with special focus on the mid- and high-end market segments.

The exhibition week of wooden and handicrafts products in 2022 will be held at the Export Showroom (92-96 Nguyen Hue, District 1) organized by ITPC from July 19 to July 25 to support businesses with overcoming the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, stabilizing production and finding business partners, expanding consumption markets, especially for wooden and handicrafts products, which are the products that make up the majority of the export turnover of Ho Chi Minh City.

32 key businesses in the wooden and handicrafts products industry of Ho Chi Minh City gathered at the Exhibition with 1,132 products selected for display. These are prestigious and quality products with beautiful designs and high levels of technical craftsmanship. The products use new, environmentally friendly materials. Each product in the "Exhibition Week of Wooden and Handicrafts Products in 2022" is the most unique, having been exported or are potential export product of businesses with the desire to connect with both domestic and international partners.