'Virtual exhibition' of Vietnam’s agro-products in CAEXPO 2021

The 18th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO 2021) has just taken place at Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, Guangxi province from September 10th to 13th in both live and online forms.

With 2000 square meters of display area, Vietnam's booths were accompanied by more than 70 businesses with agents and branches in China. Moreover, 20 domestic enterprises had participated in the Expo under the model of "virtual exhibition" supported by the Department of Trade Promotion (Ministry of Industry and Trade).

By using this form, Vietnamese businesses can send samples to display at the expo and conduct online transactions with customers through the application of digital technology platforms. Customers at the Expo will have the opportunity to fully experience the actual product.

During the four days of the Expo, the “virtual exhibition" booth of Vietnamese enterprises had attracted a large number of visitors, and at the same time conducted transactions, introduced agricultural and consumer products of high quality and reputable brands.

In addition to eye-catching design and assurance of function, the Department of Trade Promotion also supported Vietnamese enterprises in sending the merchandise, displaying and introducing products directly at the Expo, installing computers, Internet transmission lines, e-commerce software, arrange interpreters… Most domestic enterprises claimed that they could easily connect and negotiate online transactions with customers on the Chinese side.

"Virtual exhibition" is a suitable and effective solution to support businesses to promote their labels during Covid-19. Mr. Le Hoang Tai, Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Department said: "Taking a step further from the results of the CAEXPO, we will continue to organize this model at a number of large-scale and prestigious expos in China".

According to the General Department of Customs (Ministry of Finance), the total import-export turnover of Vietnam - China in 2020 reached USD 133.1 billion, up 13.82% compared to 2019. To be more specific, exports to China reached USD 48.9 billion, up 17.95%; imports from China reached USD 84.18 billion, up 11.55%.

The total trade turnover between Vietnam and China in the first seven months of the year reached USD 91.41 billion, an increase of 40.4% compared to the same period in 2020. Exports, in particular, reached USD 28.54 billion (up 23.25%), while imports reached USD 62.86 billion (up 49.87%). China is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner, and Vietnam has also become China's largest trading partner among ASEAN countries.

The impact of the Covid-19 epidemic has made it difficult for Vietnamese businesses to maintain trade promotion activities because they are not allowed to directly participate in fairs and exhibitions abroad. But now, thanks to the "virtual exhibition" model, Vietnam’s businesses will have an opportunity to sustain themselves and find new customers in China, especially in the context of the pandemic's complicated developments on a global scale.