The 2026 Vietnam International Sourcing Expo (VIS 2026) officially opened on September 3 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Serving as a strategic bridge for Vietnamese enterprises to integrate into global distribution chains, this year's expo is shifting trade promotion from mere exhibition to genuine supply-demand matching, while attracting sustainable investment flows.
Adopting an integrated "One Destination, Multiple Sectors" model, the expo focuses on four core areas: Food & Beverage, Household Goods & Furniture, Lifestyle & Healthcare Products, and Export Supply Chains. Running until September 5, this marks the fourth consecutive year the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has co-organized the event with the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and 20 local provinces and cities nationwide.
In terms of scale and metrics, VIS 2026 has set a new record since its inception in 2023. According to the organizers, as of 5:00 PM on the first day, the expo had attracted 580 international distribution and procurement delegations from 60 countries and regions, along with over 600 leading Vietnamese manufacturing and exporting enterprises. The exhibition area exceeded 12,000 square meters, featuring more than 500 booths. This significant growth underscores that despite global economic uncertainties, demand from retail giants for alternative supply sources remains robust.
To facilitate substantive transactions, the organizers have meticulously scheduled 3,000 curated B2B meetings during the expo, alongside 13,000 direct, complimentary matchmaking sessions on the exhibition floor. This high-density interaction highlights that the core of the expo lies not merely in the number of booths, but in the density of genuine transactions between supply and demand.
The return of multinational retail and distribution giants is the clearest indicator of the Vietnamese market's appeal in global sourcing strategies. This year's roster of multinational retail groups includes Walmart (USA), H&M (Sweden), Aeon (Japan), Lotte (South Korea), Central Group and Mega Market (Thailand), LuLu (UAE), Imcosa (Mexico), and Pagoda (China). Additionally, the expo is welcoming new faces for the first time, such as Wumart and Metro (China), Mamami (Malaysia), Spinneys and Loohtah (UAE), Sheng Siong (Singapore), Vimart (Laos), and the US retail chains Target and JCPenney. Notably, this year's expo has expanded its reach to mid-to-high-end distribution channels, convenience store chains, and international e-commerce platforms, rather than focusing solely on large-scale enterprises as in the past, thereby opening up new export opportunities for more Vietnamese businesses.
Speaking to the media during the expo, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang noted that VIS 2026 is being held at a time when Vietnam is solidifying its position as a strategic production and supply hub in the region. Currently, international supply chains are trending towards source diversification, with stricter requirements for traceability, green transition, digital transformation, and ESG standards. She emphasized, "The Vietnamese enterprises participating this year have been carefully selected; they hold international certifications and possess supply capabilities that meet the dual demands of both developed and emerging markets." She pointed out that the success of the expo should not be measured by the number of booths or meetings, but by creating a space where those with genuine needs can meet partners with genuine capabilities. For domestic enterprises, this is an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the true needs of international buyers; for international buyers, it is a chance to connect directly with Vietnamese production bases whose scale and capabilities are continuously aligning with global standards.
His Excellency Kohdayar Marri, Ambassador of Pakistan to Vietnam, also shared insights from the perspective of a foreign partner. He pointed out that the two countries can support each other in transitioning towards higher technology and value-added sectors. The scope of cooperation extends beyond short-term export orders to encompass investment, enterprise development, and production.
In terms of expo design, VIS 2026 translates on-site connections into contracts and long-term investment flows through four key components. The event ran concurrently with the "Enhancing the Resilience of Vietnamese Enterprises to Global Economic Volatility" Export Forum, as well as specialized seminars on international market standards and green, sustainable production solutions. Additionally, tailored B2B matchmaking programs were organized based on industry-specific procurement needs, complemented by field trips to factories and production facilities in coordination with local departments of industry and trade.
The role of local governments has been placed at the core of this year's expo. The participation of 20 local provinces and cities nationwide provides international business delegations with a direct opportunity to assess local investment environments and economic development policies. Nguyen Anh Dung, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, stated that this is a crucial prerequisite for translating initial connections into short-term, concrete business contracts, while also paving the way for long-term investment decisions.
At the policy level, VIS 2026 is incorporated into the framework of the "Project on Promoting the Direct Participation of Vietnamese Enterprises in Foreign Distribution Networks up to 2030," approved by the Prime Minister on November 14, 2022, and guided by the Agency for Foreign Market Development under the MOIT. Linking the expo's event chain with a government-level project with a clear timeline demonstrates that this is not a seasonal trade promotion activity, but rather a component of a long-term strategy to drive Vietnamese enterprises' deeper integration into global distribution networks, which is directly tied to Vietnam's goal of achieving double-digit growth. With 580 international business delegations, 600 domestic enterprises, and 13,000 direct B2B matchmaking sessions, VIS 2026 is pioneering a new model of trade promotion that goes deeper than traditional expos, with supply chain connectivity at its core.