Bringing Vietnamese goods to consumers in Northeast Thailand

The event lasted from November 7 to 10 at Central Udon Thani Shopping Center, with the participation of nearly 40 Vietnamese enterprises.

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Thailand, in his welcoming speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung emphasized that the organization of the Vietnamese Goods Week this time demonstrates the efforts of the private sector together with Vietnamese agencies in promoting Vietnamese products in the Thai market, contributing to boosting Vietnam's exports to the second largest economy in Southeast Asia. Vietnam and Thailand are important trade partners of each other, so promoting Vietnam's exports to Thailand is of great significance, not only bringing benefits to both sides but also contributing to balancing the trade balance, towards the target of bilateral turnover reaching 25 billion USD by 2025 as agreed by the leaders of the two countries.

Ms. Jariya Chirathivat, Executive Vice President of Business Development of Central Group, emphasized the commitment to promoting Vietnamese products in Thailand; contributing to encouraging Thai consumers to welcome and support Vietnamese products, thereby further strengthening the trade relationship between Vietnam and Thailand.

Meanwhile, Acting Governor of Udon Thani, Ms. Ranida Laungthitisakul affirmed that the Vietnamese community and the people of Udon Thani province have a close, long-standing relationship, closely linked in terms of history, culture, economy and trade. Udon Thani province recognizes the importance of promoting Thailand-Vietnam relations and is committed to providing comprehensive support for cooperation in many fields between the two countries. The Acting Governor of Udon Thani expressed her hope that this event will be a foundation for closer exchanges and cooperation in the future for the common interests of both countries.

For his part, Mr. Bui Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Domestic Market Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade , affirmed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to create conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to bring to the Thai market products that not only meet quality standards but are also produced in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. The products introduced in Thailand this time are the result of hard work, creativity and dedication, combining tradition and innovation, contributing to building a new image of Vietnam in the integration period. The Ministry of Industry and Trade hopes that this Vietnam Goods Week event will continue to be a bridge to bring Vietnamese products further, contributing to promoting increasingly close economic and cultural relations between the two countries.

Appreciating the development potential in Thailand, Ms. Ho Thi Quyen, Deputy Director of ITPC, said that introducing, promoting and exporting high quality and value-added products to Thai consumers is also an opportunity to export to third countries. This event helps Vietnamese goods penetrate deeper into the Thai market through large distribution systems in Thailand, serving as a bridge to promote trade relations between Thailand and Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular.

In an interview with VNA, Mr. Paul Le, Vice President of Central Retail Vietnam, said: “Over the past 8 years, Central Group has brought more than 1,000 businesses from Vietnam to Thailand. Vietnamese businesses produce quintessential and iconic Vietnamese products, which are products in which Vietnam is a world leader such as pepper, coffee, cashew nuts, including OCOP products.” According to Mr. Paul Le, by cooperating with Thai businesses, Vietnamese businesses have learned how to develop beautiful, modern packaging designs that suit consumer tastes.

Meanwhile, Mr. Huong Van Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Quang Nam province, emphasized that the market in Udon Thani is suitable and similar to Quang Nam, so this is an opportunity for Quang Nam to approach the Udon Thani market with many products processed from marine products such as fish sauce, seafood, handicrafts, and products from Quang Nam's vegetables and fruits. Especially 4-5 star OCOP products.

The activities in this Vietnam Goods Week aim to connect trade, promote the image and unique culture of Vietnam to consumers through the introduction of outstanding, high-quality products of nearly 40 enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City and provinces such as Quang Nam, Tien Giang, Tay Ninh, Kien Giang. Participating products include agricultural products, processed foods, tea, coffee, dried foods, spices, pharmaceuticals, handicrafts, household goods, fashion, fresh fruits... meeting international export standards, with impressively designed packaging, including clean, organic and environmentally friendly products.

In addition, visitors also experienced wearing Vietnamese silk ao dai and taking souvenir photos, and learned the art of making figurines with the guidance of Vietnamese artisans. Within the framework of the Vietnam Goods Week in Udon Thani, businesses from both countries organized business networking activities and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote the export of Vietnamese goods to Thailand.

Since 2016, through the Vietnam Goods Week held annually in Thailand, Central Group and Central Retail Vietnam have cooperated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to create a platform for hundreds of Vietnamese enterprises to introduce their products to Thai consumers, increasing export opportunities. The Vietnam Goods Week program in Udon Thani is expected to continue to promote its role in trade promotion, supporting Vietnamese enterprises to expand their markets, strengthen economic cooperation with Thailand and enhance the position of Vietnamese products in the international market.