Hong Kong (VNA) – To maintain and further promote its role as a regional event-hosting hub, Hong Kong (China) has maximised connectivity between the authorities, industry associations and business organisations, creating an efficient linkage mechanism, according to Vu Thi Thuy, Deputy Consul General and Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the special administrative region (SAR).
Speaking to a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in Hong Kong about its experience in organising large-scale trade fairs and prospects for Vietnam–Hong Kong trade cooperation, Thuy said the SAR’s two major exhibition venues – the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo – host a wide range of trade fairs, exhibitions and professional events across sectors throughout the year.
Hong Kong is also a dynamic venue for exchanges involving visiting delegations, market surveys and business networking, which are regularly organised by industry associations and trade guilds. Many representative offices and chambers of commerce from different countries are based in Hong Kong, using it as a gateway to regional and international markets.
In addition, Hong Kong is one of the world’s major transshipment hubs, making it particularly attractive to exporters, as goods shipped via the SAR can be easily distributed to other destinations in the region and beyond, she noted.
Assessing Hong Kong’s strengths in products that could be introduced to Vietnam through events such as the Spring Fair, Thuy said the SAR does not have advantages in labour-intensive, large-scale manufacturing. However, it holds notable strengths in consumer products from light industries, including smart furniture, household goods and technology-driven solutions.
At this year’s Spring Fair, the Vietnam Trade Office in Hong Kong facilitated the participation of several Hong Kong enterprises in Vietnam to conduct market surveys, seek import sources and showcase their products. Notably, a company under the Hong Kong Productivity Council presented technological solutions for smart homes and smart manufacturing at the event.
Thuy said Hong Kong businesses highly appreciated the thorough preparation and large scale of Vietnam’s Spring Fair, expressing their hope that the event will help them connect with Vietnamese partners and further expand cooperation with Vietnam in the coming period.
She noted that throughout different stages of cooperation, Vietnam has remained one of Hong Kong’s key import partners. Last year, Vietnam was Hong Kong’s third-largest trading partner. According to Hong Kong statistics, bilateral import-export turnover between Vietnam and Hong Kong reached 69.3 billion USD in 2025, up 75.3% year-on-year, with Vietnam ranking third among Hong Kong’s major partners.
Vietnam’s key exports to Hong Kong include food and agricultural products such as rice, fruits, aquatic products, coffee, cashew nuts and spices. Garments and footwear made in Vietnam are also well received in the Hong Kong market. However, Vietnamese products face strong competition from other exporters in China, Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Indonesia, as well as India and other South Asian countries.
According to Thuy, the growing presence of foreign products at major trade fairs will create more opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to connect with international partners, compete directly with global goods and stay updated on market trends, particularly in technology. This will help improve product quality, enhance competitiveness and increase scientific and technological content.
Looking ahead to 2026, she said the Vietnam Trade Office in Hong Kong will intensify efforts to promote delegation exchanges, strengthen market research, expand trade promotion through reputable fairs, and support enterprises in market access, while continuing to verify business information to ensure effective and safe cooperation between the two sides.
With stronger institutional support and closer business ties, Vietnam–Hong Kong trade relations are expected to gain further momentum in 2026, Thuy added./.
