The Sweet Fruits of a Robust Investment Strategy and Extraordinary Efforts
– Some say VEC was lucky to debut with over 10 million visitors to the “80 Years of Independence, Freedom, and Happiness” Exhibition. What’s your take?
Mr. Trần Lê Phương – Chairman of Vietnam Exhibition & Fair Center (VEC)
We don’t see this as mere luck, but as the result of a rigorous, strategic investment and meticulous preparation. Notably, it’s the extraordinary effort of hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of individuals from planning to execution that made this possible.
From the outset, we envisioned VEC as a national symbol of organizational excellence and global integration. As Southeast Asia’s largest and one of the world’s top 10 exhibition centers, its construction was completed in a record 10 months—instead of the planned 2 years—thanks to 3,000 engineers and workers, nearly 1,000 specialized machines, and round-the-clock shifts.
For the National Achievement Exhibition, over 3 weeks, we collaborated with ministries, localities, and businesses to create the largest historical showcase—rich in content and vibrant in presentation. Nearly 32,000 volunteers, security personnel, and staff worked tirelessly to ensure safety and efficiency, welcoming over 10 million domestic and international visitors in 19 days. Peak days saw up to 1.3 million visitors. This foundation positions VEC as a hub for world-class events.
VEC aims to rival Asia’s top hubs like Bangkok, Dubai, and Singapore.
Infrastructure Driving National Prestige
– Post the National Achievement Exhibition’s success, what’s VEC’s strategy moving forward?
Our long-term vision is to make VEC Asia’s premier exhibition hub, rivaling Bangkok, Dubai, and Singapore. To achieve this, we’re implementing four strategic pillars:
1. Global Connectivity: VEC bridges Vietnam and the world, showcasing cutting-edge solutions in industries like smart cities, healthcare, and energy. It’s also a platform for Vietnam to promote its products and connect with global markets.
2. Ecosystem Development: We’re fostering a full-service ecosystem—from booth design to logistics—to elevate Vietnam’s event industry to international standards, establishing “Made-in-Vietnam” event excellence.
3. Sustainable Innovation: With Vietnam’s largest EV charging network (1,200 ports), solar energy systems, and green transportation, VEC is pioneering sustainable event hosting.
4. Signature Events: We’re developing iconic events like the Vietnam Green Energy Week and Tourism & Culinary Festival, blending economic impact with cultural promotion.
– Which sectors will VEC prioritize, and what major events are upcoming?
Initially, we focus on Construction & Infrastructure, Tourism & Services, and Energy—key sectors for Vietnam’s green growth. Strategic exhibitions include renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and MICE tourism.
– How will VEC contribute to Vietnam’s economy, trade, and global integration?
VEC is more than an event center; it’s a catalyst for regional and national growth:
1. Economic Promotion: It helps provinces attract investment and access global markets through trade forums and regional showcases.
2. Service Ecosystem: Each event boosts sectors like hospitality, logistics, and technology, creating sustainable impact.
3. Cultural Exchange: Through cultural exhibitions and MICE tourism, VEC enhances Vietnam’s global cultural footprint.
We believe VEC will embody Vietnam’s connectivity, innovation, and sustainability, elevating its global standing.
– Thank you, Mr. Phương!
