Vietnam int’l furniture, home accessories fair opens

HCM City (VNA) – The Vietnam International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair 2019 (VIFA-EXPO) kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on March 6.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai vowed all possible support for 514 domestic and foreign exhibitors to introduce their goods and services.

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Handicraft and Wood Industry Association (HAWA) Nguyen Quoc Khanh said VIFA-EXPO 2019 is the largest annual fair of the sector, featuring wooden furniture, handicrafts, interior décor, and support services.

With over 2,400 stalls covering 35,000 sq.m, the event is expected to attract visitors from 80 countries and territories globally.

Participating foreign exhibitors were mostly from Taiwan (China), Singapore, the US, Canada, China, France, India, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Thailand, Brazil, and the Seychelles.

Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development showed that exports of wooden furniture and forestry products hit 9.3 billion USD last year, up 16.81 percent annually and making it the largest currency earner in the agriculture sector.

On the occasion, the organising board presented awards to winners of the interior-exterior design competition for 2018-2019. The best eight entries are on display at the fair.

HAWA also held several seminars to provide information about key wood and interior markets and to share business experience.

Co-hosted by the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, HAWA, and HAWA Corp., the fair will last until March 9. –VNA