Optimistic Signs for Woodwork and Handicrafts

Optimistic Signs for Woodwork and Handicrafts

Nguyen Thanh Tai, vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, said that the international exhibition and fair of woodworks and handicraft - Expo 2004 - held at Ho Chi Minh City International Exhibition and Conference Centre (HIECC) showed the size and professionalism of the wood processing and handicraft industry of Vietnam.

The fair was divided into six display areas according to groups of products. More than 200 enterprises displaying their products created a lively and attractive exhibition with woodworks accounting for more than 60 per cent of the stalls. Many enterprises displayed their products by depicting the living spaces of homes and gardens. The beauty of woodworks was highlighted as making rooms and gardens modern and luxurious. The exhibition also displayed various high-end furniture products for hotels, conference halls and offices. What has made Vietnamese woodworks more competitive is their ability to meet the tastes and demand of varied markets.

With a combination of modern and traditional techniques, Vietnam's woodworks have high value, quality and beauty. Samples and designs of their products display a basis in cultural and psychological factors. Apart from woodworks, many bamboo and rattan products were on display.

The exhibition saw the participation of enterprises offering decorative items, such as paintings and statues of artistic value. The Kim Truc Company brought to the exhibition various decorative pottery items. The Thuong Nguyen displayed its pottery items with deeply traditional features. Paintings of Ngoc Thanh display beautiful calligraphy.  Especially, the sand paintings of Van Thien Sa display beautiful natural colour sand in glasses. These enterprises despite being set up recently are dynamic in meeting current trends of the market. Nguyen Ngoc Duy, director of the Van Thien Sa sand painting enterprise, said that sand paintings were new with various themes. They can attract many foreign visitors if enterprises know how to exploit this art.

The exhibition was an opportunity for woodwork and handicraft enterprises to access new customers and new markets. With proper development strategies, these enterprises will develop more rapidly and make significant contributions to Vietnam's export turnover.

• Thuy Tien