A chance for Vietnamese goods to penetrate Thailand’s modern retail channels

According to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai, in recent years, the Government of Vietnam has created favorable conditions for businesses to promote direct exports to distribution systems in countries, including Thailand.

After many years of organizing the event, Vietnam Goods Week in Thailand has created a strong widespread effect, contributing positively to the growth of the bilateral import-export turnover between Vietnam and Thailand. The event has connected hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises, thereby promoting local products to the Thai market.

From August 16 to 20, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and Central Retail Vietnam organize Vietnamese Goods Week in Thailand 2023 at CentralWorld - one of the largest trade centers in the world.

Vietnam Goods Week in Thailand 2023 with the theme "The Magical Taste of Vietnam", for the first time focusing on introducing and promoting culture, tourism and regional specialties from the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City, such as: cakes made from moringa, ricepaper, spring rolls, sausages, grilled spring rolls, dried fruits, fine art products of Long An; crispy desiccated coconut, coconut candy, coconut jelly of Ben Tre; traditional fish sauce with geographical indication of Phu Quoc; organic rice of Kien Giang; dried shrimp, frozen seafood, prawn cracker, fruit and vegetable cracker, pre-processed swiflet nest of Bac Lieu; coconut products of Tra Vinh; original dried lotus, mango concentrates, soursop concentrates, red dragon fruit concentrates of Dong Thap; pomelo snack, soybean sauce, shrimp salt of An Giang; specialty coffee, cashew nut, macadamia nut, swiflet nest, ready-made swiflet nest, herbal extracts; handicrafts, household appliances of Ho Chi Minh city.

OCOP products from other provinces and cities are also introduced and displayed at the event as per the introduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, including lacquer paintings, silk products, decorative products made from sedge, rattan and bamboo, and handmade jewelry.

The event opens up opportunities for nearly 100 Vietnamese enterprises participating in trade connections with retail distribution systems in Thailand, meeting face-to-face with entrepreneurs and customers to seek commercial and investment cooperation opportunities.

Jariya Chirathivat, Executive Vice President, Business Development of Central Group, said that introducing business owners and entrepreneurs that can bring branded goods from Vietnam to Thai consumers has contributed to increasing business opportunities between the two countries.

“We support local products from communities, small and medium-sized businesses, the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program and the Local Sourcing Program launched in 2017. So far the introduction of these products into the retail system of Central Retail Vietnam has helped more than 5,500 farmers,” said Jariya Chirathivat.

Recently, the Business Association of High Quality Vietnamese Goods cooperated with the Vietnam Trade Office in Thailand and Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev) to hold an event "Tasting Vietnam" at Okura Prestige Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. The event is a new approach to Vietnam's agricultural and food markets, thereby helping Vietnamese businesses learn about the suggestions of importers and buyers for their products. At the same time, buyers can have practical experiences and choose the product they like. Thaifex Anuga International Expo 2023 is also an event in Thailand that attracts many many Vietnamese businesses as a way to open up more opportunities to access the Thai market.

As one of the units participating in many trade promotion events in Thailand last year, Duong Ngoc Van Long, Deputy Director of Tri Kien Food Co., Ltd said that "Tasting Vietnam"  is a new connection model between businesses and distribution partners.

“Usually in the old model, businesses will introduce goods by sending samples and price lists to partners for negotiation. However, ‘Tasting Vietnam’ has its own good point since partners will be able to see the product firsthand, touching the product with their own hands and enjoying the taste of the product. It helps them understand more about each product to make decisions quicker.”

Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand said that Thailand and Vietnam are two countries with close and strong relations in ASEAN. Thailand is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in the ASEAN region, while Vietnam is Thailand's fifth most important trade partner in the ASEAN region. The two countries aim to bring bilateral trade turnover by 2025 to at least $25,000 million, equivalent to 8.75 billion baht.