HawaExpo 2024: Trade promotion opportunity for 500 wood industry enterprises

Under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the professional guidance and coordination of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, HawaExpo is organized by VIFOREST FAIR company, consisting of five associations: Viforest, HAWA, BIFA, DOWA, and FPA Binh Dinh. The Fair is operated directly by the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association in Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA).

There are over 500 exhibitors at HawaExpo 2024, from March 6-9, 2024, with an impressive 50% being new exhibitors showcasing the finest creations from Vietnam’s manufacturing sector. Explore over 2,500 booths and showcases, spanning an expansive area of 56,000 square meters. As part of this extraordinary event, you will have the chance to engage with 25,000 buyers and visitors from 200 countries and regions, making it an ideal opportunity to tap into the heart of the Asia furniture fair chain.

At the press conference announcing the Wood and Furniture Export Fair (HawaExpo 2024), on the afternoon of February 29, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Khanh, Chairman of Viforest Fair, Head of the Organizing Committee of HawaExpo 2024, said that the wood market is recovering as in the first month of 2024, wood exports reached US$ 1.5 billion, an increase of 72.5% over the same period in 2023.

Khanh said that at many businesses, the number of orders has recovered up to 90%. Many businesses have orders until May. However, Khanh said that customers' requirements are becoming more and more strict in terms of standards and designs that must constantly change following their needs and prices must be more competitive.

Nguyen Chanh Phuong, Vice President of Hawa, said that the real estate market in the US is showing signs of improvement, which is a good sign for the wood and furniture market. It is forecasted that in the coming months, demand will grow if there are no significant geopolitical fluctuations. "The Middle East and Indian markets are also very potential for Vietnamese wood businesses," Mr. Phuong said.

Duong Thi Minh Tue, Marketing Director of HawaExpo 2024, said that, along with the continuous fluctuations of the world market, maintaining a fixed group of customers, focusing specifically on a single sales channel causes many businesses to fall into the position of "tying to their strings".

Therefore, diversifying output markets is necessary in the current context for wood businesses to develop sustainably and gain momentum in the coming time.

According to the Chairman of Viforest Fair, this year's fair expanded three times in scale compared to 2023, bringing together more than 500 businesses participating in the exhibition, of which more than 80% are domestic manufacturing enterprises, 20% of the remaining enterprises include prominent wooden furniture and handicraft manufacturing enterprises in the Asian region, design units, suppliers of raw materials, accessories, and support services at home and abroad.

The strategy of improving competitiveness through supporting businesses in trade and brand promotion will be maintained, and both quantity and quality will be aimed at improving in the coming years.

In addition, the Organizing Committee also actively coordinates with businesses to select the most unique products and newest collections, not just the variety of products that can be produced.

Businesses participating in HawaExpo 2024 will have access to opportunities to expand direct trade at the fair and online trade through the Hopefairs online exhibition floor environment.

At the same time, there is an opportunity to expand sales channels on cross-border e-commerce platforms with the support of the world's two leading units, Amazon and Wayfair.

In addition to display and trade connection activities, HawaExpo 2024 also has in-depth seminars on the carbon credit market from planted forests, solutions for sustainable development of acacia ("Acacia auriculiformis") wood resources, and enhancing the brand value of Vietnamese wood on the international market.

The workshop event to introduce and experience the beauty of handmade wicker art also promotes the value of Vietnamese handicraft products.

The 2024 International Outdoor Style Fair (Q-Fair 2024)

Over 100 domestic and foreign enterprises will showcase their products at the Quy Nhon International Outdoor Lifestyle Fair (Q-Fair 2024), which is scheduled to open in south-central Binh Dinh province from March 9-12.

Products relating to outdoor furniture and serving modern lifestyles will be on display at more than 1,000 booths at the largest trade fair in Vietnam for outdoor living, according to the organizer.

The fair will offer opportunities for domestic and international visitors to understand and experience the development and potential of Vietnam’s wood industry, Chairman of the provincial Association of Timber and Forest Products Le Minh Thien told a press briefing on February 28.

Various activities will be held within the framework of the fair, including a conference on trade and export promotion for the wood and outdoor furniture industries and tours to wood processing plants in the locality.