On the afternoon of September 4th, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City jointly organized the Export Forum “Connecting Global Supply Chains 2025.” The forum aims to establish meaningful connections between international distribution channels and domestic manufacturers, facilitating deeper integration of Vietnamese products into the global supply chain.
Opportunities and Challenges Go Hand in Hand
In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thị Thắng highlighted that the forum brings together all critical links in the supply chain, from multinational corporations representing global market demands to Vietnamese manufacturers and logistics providers. Open and practical discussions will help Vietnamese businesses stay abreast of market fluctuations, identify their weaknesses, and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
According to Ms. Thắng, for foreign distributors, this event offers a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s policies and potential, enabling them to collaborate with domestic businesses in building a diverse and sustainable supply chain.
From the perspective of international retailers, Paul Lê, Vice Chairman of Central Retail Vietnam, emphasized that this marks the third consecutive year the company has partnered with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, demonstrating its long-term commitment to helping Vietnamese products reach global markets.
“This year, we invited procurement representatives from Thailand to directly connect with Vietnamese businesses. This is a concrete effort to source products and expand export opportunities for businesses through our distribution network across multiple countries,” said Paul Lê.
During the event, Central Retail facilitated connections for 14 Vietnamese businesses specializing in coffee, chocolate, health products, and eco-friendly packaging. Notably, these businesses will be showcased at the “Vietnamese Product Week in France” in October.
Leaders from the Foreign Market Development Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade engage with businesses at the forum |
The Equation of Taste and Competitiveness
Representing manufacturers, Diệp Nam Hải, CEO of Cholimex Food Joint Stock Company, praised the forum for featuring leading retail chains such as Aeon TopValu and Central Retail.
“Domestically, we are already a supplier to Aeon and Central Retail. Currently, Cholimex is exploring opportunities to export our products through their distribution networks. Specifically, this year we are focusing on expanding into promising markets like the Middle East and South America,” shared Mr. Hải.
Discussing key success factors, Mr. Hải emphasized that product adaptability and competitiveness are paramount.
“Products must align with local tastes, ensure quality, and compete effectively with both local products and regional competitors. These are essential criteria for entering major retail systems,” Mr. Hải stressed.
Trần Phú Lữ, Director of ITPC, addresses the forum |
Ho Chi Minh City Commits to Supporting Businesses
Representing the city’s leadership, Trần Phú Lữ, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), noted that the city is at a historic turning point.
“The regional linkage planning with Bình Dương and Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu provinces has created a new development space, uniting Vietnam’s three most dynamic economic hubs. This fuels our ambition to transform Ho Chi Minh City into a multi-centered megacity, an attractive destination for domestic and international investors,” said Mr. Lữ.
As the nation’s economic powerhouse, Ho Chi Minh City is implementing comprehensive measures to address challenges, helping businesses and investors recover and expand their operations. A key focus is on policies supporting businesses in deeper integration into the global supply chain.
Mr. Lữ stated that to effectively implement export-oriented trade promotion activities, ITPC and relevant departments will continue to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Initially, these units will focus on understanding the practical challenges businesses face in global supply chains, advising the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on practical support solutions.
Additionally, ITPC will intensify support for businesses in brand building, product quality enhancement, and competitiveness, particularly guiding them toward green production, green exports, and sustainable consumption. ITPC will also strengthen trade connections between domestic businesses and foreign importers, major distributors, and FDI enterprises.
“We prioritize helping businesses connect with cross-border e-commerce platforms, viewing them as an efficient distribution channel to expand export markets, reduce costs, and quickly capture consumer trends,” affirmed Mr. Lữ.
TÚ UYÊN
– 07:07 05/09/2025
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