Scheduled to take place at the Vietnam Exposition Centre in Dong Anh commune, from February 2 to 13, the fair will be divided into 10 exhibition zones of around 10,000 sq.m each, with organisers expecting space for about 3,000 standard booths spanning multiple sectors.

The fair will harmonise trade, industry, agriculture and culture, organised in a contemporary arrangement to draw plenty of consumers. It is envisioned as a “Spring Journey across Vietnam”, structured into eight thematic zones. From the Ho Chi Minh City pavilion – the starting point of the excursion – to spaces dedicated to agricultural products, industrial commerce, traditional heritage and contemporary creativity, the event aims both to serve peak Tet shopping demand and to strengthen business linkages while promoting Vietnamese products and people.

A key highlight will be the active involvement of Vietnam’s overseas trade offices in promoting the fair and inviting international partners and businesses to attend.

Since early this month, Vietnamese trade offices in Japan, the US, India and other key markets have launched promotional campaigns, online seminars and networking initiatives connecting industry associations with local companies. As a result, dozens of foreign associations and firms, particularly in textiles and garments, leather and footwear, furniture, handicrafts, interiors and processing industries, have expressed interest in joining the fair, opening pavilions and seeking partners in Vietnam.

Addressing a recent virtual conference on opportunities for Vietnam–India cooperation at the fair, Bui Trung Thuong, Trade Counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in India, said it will be the first major trade and cultural event of 2026, opening Vietnam’s market at its most dynamic time of the year and serve as a strategic gateway for international businesses seeking access.

He noted that the fair offers an excellent opportunity for Indian companies to connect directly with Vietnamese manufacturers, explore supply prospects, develop production partnerships and build long-term cooperation in textiles, garments, footwear, leather goods, furniture and handicrafts.

Quyen Thi Thuy Ha, head of the Vietnam Trade Office branch in Osaka, Japan, said her office moved quickly to draw up plans to organise delegations of Japanese companies once official information about the fair was released.

Meanwhile, Do Ngoc Hung, trade counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US, said the four Vietnamese trade offices there are coordinating closely to promote the event and attract American businesses. Participation is being scrutinised, with priority given to sectors such as textiles, footwear, furniture and handicrafts, where mutual demand and capacity align, he added.

Alongside overseas outreach, domestic businesses are also placing high expectations on the fair. Many see it as an important platform to showcase production capabilities, introduce new products, seek partners and expand export markets, amid growing pressure to move up the value chain and strengthen Vietnamese brands.

Dang Thi Tuoi, Director of External Relations at CT Group, shared that the group plans to present a range of core technologies developed in-house, including drones, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, as well as solutions for new energy, green digital currencies and carbon credit trading.

Sharing similar expectations, Nguyen Ba Doan, Sales Director of the Viet Han High-Tech Manufacturing Plant, said the fair would serve as a hub for production and trade linkages between domestic firms and international partners.

First Glorious Spring Fair 2026 to be held from February 2 to 13

With the Tet shopping rush looming, the First Glorious Spring Fair 2026 is set to turn Hanoi into a major trade and cultural hub early this year, bringing thousands of businesses together at the Vietnam Exposition Centre in Hanoi from February 2 to 13.