Hanoi (VNA) – Effective business matchmaking and the application of digital technologies are key factors Vietnam can draw upon to enhance trade promotion efficiency, according to Nguyen Viet Anh, Vietnam’s Trade Counsellor in Prague.
In an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in the Czech Republic, Anh highlighted the host country’s longstanding and systematic experience in organising international trade fairs and exhibitions, notably through the model of the Brno Exhibition Centre (BVV). Established in 1928, it is one of Europe’s largest exhibition venues, hosting around 50 trade fairs annually across diverse sectors, including industry, agriculture, food processing, high technology and defence. A distinctive feature of the Czech model, he noted, is the close coordination between the State, enterprises and industry associations. The State plays a guiding and policy-support role, often acting as the sponsor of major events; businesses serve as the core exhibitors and networking actors; while professional associations and international organisations enhance technical depth and attract global participation. Czech trade fairs function not merely as product showcases but as platforms for B2B engagement, technology transfer and supply chain development. This integrated approach offers valuable lessons for Vietnam in professionalising large-scale events such as the Spring Fair.
Regarding products suitable for introduction to Vietnam, the counsellor identified machinery and industrial equipment, including mechanical tools, automation systems, agricultural machinery and public transport vehicles such as buses and trams, as areas of Czech strength aligned with Vietnam’s modernisation needs. High-quality consumer goods, including beer and beverages, dairy products, confectionery, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and Bohemian crystal, can also appeal to Vietnam’s expanding middle class.
He underscored that the bilateral trade structure is largely complementary rather than directly competitive. The EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has significantly reduced tariffs, enhancing price competitiveness. However, challenges remain, including technical barriers, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, limited brand recognition of Czech products in Vietnam, high logistics costs and the time required to establish distribution networks.
In the context of smart consumption trends, the Czech Republic also offers competitive high-tech products and solutions, particularly in information technology and cybersecurity, nanotechnology applications in healthcare and environmental protection, medical equipment and biotechnology, renewable energy and environmental technologies, as well as smart mobility and electric vehicle solutions.
Introducing these products at the Spring Fair should not focus solely on sales but rather on fostering partnerships, joint ventures and technology transfer, he emphasised, adding that Vietnamese enterprises can become distribution partners and technology recipients, thereby gradually enhancing the scientific and technological content of domestic production.
Conversely, Vietnamese products such as garments, footwear, coffee, tropical agricultural produce, aquatic products, processed foods and electronic components have gained a foothold in the Czech market. A sizeable Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic provides an initial distribution channel, while EVFTA preferences and improved product quality facilitate market access. Nonetheless, strict EU technical standards, limited market intelligence and intense competition remain challenges.
Anh expressed confidence that the Spring Fair 2026 will create a healthy competitive environment within Vietnam, enabling domestic enterprises to benchmark against international products, improve quality and design, and strengthen technological capabilities. Beyond a consumer event, the fair is expected to serve as a strategic platform for deeper trade, investment and high-tech cooperation, contributing to more substantive and sustainable Vietnam–Czech Republic economic ties./.
VNA
