A mega fair connecting goods, stimulating consumer demand

Autumn Fair 2025 is being held for the first time on a nationwide scale, spanning over 130,000 square meters and featuring five thematic zones with more than 3,000 booths from nearly 2,500 enterprises.

From traditional craft village displays and regional culinary spaces to exhibitions on green production technologies and creative cultural zones for young people, the fair presents a vibrant “autumn panorama” that connects trade, culture, and creativity within the rhythm of modern life.

At the OCOP (One Commune One Product) and traditional craft exhibition areas, thousands of regional specialties are showcased,from Bat Trang ceramics and Van Phuc silk to Central Highlands coffee and Phu Quoc fish sauce. Young enterprises and tech startups also participate, presenting solutions in production digitalisation, green e-commerce, and artificial intelligence applications, demonstrating the innovative drive of Vietnam’s new generation of entrepreneurs.

Vu Ba Phu, director of the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, noted that the fair is not only a trade promotion activity but also a cultural bridge where Vietnamese excellence is introduced, shared, and integrated globally. He added that the event contributes to realizing Vietnam’s Green Growth Strategy toward 2030, with a vision to 2050.

A key trade platform enhancing international integration

As part of Autumn Fair 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the Vietnam Trade Office in New Zealand and the ASEAN New Zealand Business Council (ANZBC), organised the Vietnam–New Zealand Trade and Investment Promotion Conference and Business Matching Event.

The event attracted more than 20 leading New Zealand enterprises operating in sectors such as construction design, software technology, agriculture, dairy, honey, nutrition products, healthcare services, education, hotel management investment, finance, real estate, import-export trade, and migration and study abroad services.

Le Hoang Tai, deputy director of the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, noted that Vietnam and New Zealand have built a strong and enduring partnership over decades. He highlighted that 2025 marks an important milestone, celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations and 5 years of the Strategic Partnership, with trade and investment cooperation between the two countries continuing to grow and achieve significant results.

According to statistics for the first nine months of 2025, total bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and New Zealand reached over US$1.1 billion, with Vietnam’s exports at US$528 million and imports at US$587 million. These figures demonstrate substantial potential for exporters and investors on both sides.

Vietnam is currently among the world’s top 20 exporting countries, supported by a favourable investment and business environment. The government is actively promoting green transformation, digital transformation, and the development of supporting industries, opening up opportunities for cooperation in manufacturing, processing, and distribution with foreign enterprises. Modern industrial zones, logistics systems, and seaports help shorten transportation times to New Zealand via direct routes or transshipment hubs such as Singapore.

“Vietnam aims to become a reliable, dynamic, and innovative partner for New Zealand within regional supply chains. He said that Vietnam encourages New Zealand importers, distributors, and retail groups to tap into high-quality Vietnamese supply sources, while expanding joint ventures in food processing, sustainable agriculture, cold-chain logistics, clean energy, and e-commerce,” said Tai.

He added that participation in trade promotion programmes, fairs, and B2B matchmaking events organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Vietnam Trade Office in New Zealand offers valuable opportunities for long-term cooperation.

Do Huu Tung, first secretary of the Vietnam Trade Office in New Zealand, stated that under the close direction of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the office has coordinated with New Zealand industry associations to mobilise businesses to participate in Autumn Fair 2025. The business delegation took part in a working programme in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from October 27 to November 1, including business dialogues, meetings with Vietnamese ministries and agencies, and participation in the fair.

“The visit is not merely a promotional trip but a long-term connectivity journey, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable cooperation between businesses of both countries,” he said.

A convergence of excellence, a foundation for prosperity

According to Tran Thi Phuong Lan, former acting director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade and chairwoman of the Vietnam Retailers Association (AVR), Autumn Fair 2025 has generated strong momentum, stimulating consumer demand, strengthening buyer confidence, and serving as a key driver toward achieving a 12% growth in total retail sales and service revenue this year.

“The year-end period is considered a critical time for accelerating retail targets, with the fair acting not only as an economic lever but also as a platform for enterprises from 34 provinces and cities to converge, trade, and establish direct connections among producers, distributors, and consumers,” she analysed.

The first Autumn Fair 2025 stands as a vivid testament to the connection between people, culture, and commerce. Featuring more than 3,000 booths and the participation of thousands of businesses, cooperatives, and major corporations from across 34 localities, the event has become a “showcase of capability,” highlighting both the identity and dynamism of Vietnamese enterprises.

Consumers are offered opportunities to experience quality products at reasonable prices, along with attractive promotional programs. For businesses, the fair provides a platform to promote products, strengthen brand presence, and build momentum for production and business activities in 2026. The event also serves as a springboard for growth in the retail and service sectors, contributing to the national goal of achieving over 8% GDP growth this year.

Beyond its commercial significance, the first Autumn Fair 2025 symbolises the convergence of people, culture, and Vietnam’s aspiration for prosperity in an era of global integration. By honouring traditional values while fostering innovation and creativity, the fair opens a new chapter and reinforces the country’s ambition for sustainable development.

Autumn Fair 2025 – A catalyst for stimulating domestic demand and economic growth

VOV.VN - More than just a platform to promote Vietnamese goods, Autumn Fair 2025 serves as a dynamic “playground” connecting Vietnamese businesses with international importers and distributors, fostering investment cooperation, technology transfer, and export market expansion.