HCM CITY — The 2026 Vietnam International Food Industry Exhibition opened in HCM City on November 11, bringing together more than 500 Vietnamese and foreign businesses to showcase products and explore trade opportunities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vũ Bá Phú, director general of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, said the food industry, along with agriculture and aquaculture, has long been a pillar of the economy.

"Beyond ensuring food security and maintaining social stability, it accounts for a major share of our national exports and GDP growth."

Held annually since 2015, Vietnam Foodexpo has become a major trade promotion platform, helping Vietnamese food producers connect with international buyers and enter global supply chains, he said.

For the first time, it is being held along with SIAL, one of the world's leading food exhibition brands.

The partnership has expanded the exhibition to more than 700 booths set up by over 500 domestic and international businesses, a 50 per cent increase from 2025, Phú said.

Businesses from more than 20 Vietnamese provinces and cities are taking part, alongside national pavilions representing over 20 countries and territories, including South Korea, Japan, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, and Russia.

Exhibits range from agricultural produce, seafood, and processed foods to beverages, processing machinery, packaging solutions, and food safety technologies.

Phú said more than 90 per cent of participating Vietnamese businesses meet international standards such as HACCP and ISO, and over 80 per cent hold certification such as BRC, FSSC, and EU Organic, enabling them to enter demanding markets such as Japan, the US, and Europe.

Nearly 100 halal-certified businesses are also participating, offering opportunities to tap a global market of around two billion consumers, he added.

The Vietnam Value (National Brand) Pavilion covers more than 300 square metres and features leading brands such as LC Foods, Colusa-Miliket, Liksin Corporation, Nafoods Group, TH Food, Dh Foods, and Richy Group.

Rodolphe Lameyse, chief executive of Comexposium's food and beverage division, said Việt Nam has become an increasingly important player in the global food industry, supported by its agricultural traditions and product quality and diversity.

"With a growing domestic market, a strong manufacturing base, and an expanding presence in international trade, Việt Nam has an important role to play in the future of our industry."

He said the country's food culture and industrial ambitions make it a natural partner for the SIAL Network.

The partnership seeks to forge long-term ties with Việt Nam's food industry, helping its businesses reach overseas markets while encouraging foreign companies to explore opportunities and establish partnerships in Việt Nam, he added.

The exhibition also features conferences and business-matching activities connecting Vietnamese enterprises with international buyers and modern retailers.

They include the 2026 Vietnam Food Forum, which focuses on sustainable packaging and integrating Vietnamese food products into EU supply chains, and the third Domestic Trade Development Policy Forum, which will examine links between food suppliers and modern retailers.

Business-to-business meetings and sourcing sessions will connect exhibitors with major retailers and distributors, including MM Mega Market, Central Retail, AEON Vietnam, WinEco, Bach Hoa Xanh, GS25, and Satra.

The exhibition at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre runs until November 14, and is expected to attract more than 25,000 trade visitors, helping Vietnamese producers expand domestic distribution and explore export markets. — VNS