Hanoi (VNA) – The ongoing Spring Fair 2026 in Hanoi is a chance for Vietnamese firms to expand partnerships with businesses from Australia, a country with a strong economic complementarity with Vietnam, according to Tran Thi Thanh My, Deputy Consul General and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia.
My highlighted Australia’s strong expertise in turning exhibitions and trade fairs into effective B2B (Business-to-Business) and B2C (Business-to-Consumer) platforms by focusing on experience-based destinations and technology-enabled connectivity, rather than purely traditional buying and selling.
She said that the success of Australian trade fairs lies in professional business matchmaking through pre-scheduled digital platforms, strict transparency requirements on product safety and origin, and high levels of interaction via product trials and storytelling. Technology showcases also play an important role in helping visitors keep pace with innovation and emerging trends. Beyond organisational experience, Australia brings a range of competitive products well-suited to fairs such as the Spring Fair and Autumn Fair. Its strengths span minerals, energy and high-tech agriculture, with key exports including premium beef and lamb, abalone, seasonal temperate fruits, wine and functional foods.
She stressed that facilitating market access is crucial. With a population of over 100 million and strong consumer trust in safe and clean products from Australia, Vietnam is a highly promising market. In addition, both countries benefit from free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA), which have sharply reduced tariffs, in some cases to zero, making products more affordable for consumers.
My also highlighted Australia’s advantages in high-tech sectors aligned with Vietnam’s priorities, including agricultural technology, clean energy, energy storage and green hydrogen, as well as fintech and edtech. A notable example is the strategic partnership between Thanh Thanh Cong – Bien Hoa Group and Australia’s Farmacist to promote precision and sustainable agriculture. However, she noted challenges, including higher product prices and logistics costs.
In the opposite direction, Australia is a high-demand but highly selective market. Vietnamese products gaining traction there include electronic components, precision engineering goods, textiles, footwear, bags, high-quality agro-forestry-fishery products, and construction materials and furniture. Vietnam is increasingly seen as an attractive supply source for Australian firms seeking to diversify inputs and components for mining, renewable energy and agro-tech sectors.
The head of the Trade Office emphasised the role of the more than 350,000-strong Vietnamese community in Australia as a vital bridge for trade and consumption, helping Vietnamese brands build credibility through Asian distribution networks.
Despite strict biosecurity rules, high logistics costs and supply-chain constraints, My said these challenges also open opportunities for Vietnamese goods to enter higher-end market segments. She added that large-scale fairs like the Spring Fair create positive pressure for domestic firms to upgrade standards, adopt green production practices, and seek technology transfer and joint ventures.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia plans to intensify trade promotion through cooperation with Australian agencies and industry associations, alongside targeted activities in both countries. It reiterated its dedication to helping Vietnamese businesses by providing market insights, legal guidance, and partner connections as they grow into the Australian market./.
VNA
