Vietnam-Laos Product Week: Connecting Products and Markets

For the first time, distinctive products from Vietnam and Laos were showcased together in a shared space in central Hanoi, creating new opportunities for companies from both countries to reach consumers, find partners and expand their markets.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Viet Son speaks at the Vietnam-Laos Product Week

From October 1-4, the Vietnam-Laos Product Week, themed “Beautiful Champa Flowers,” was held in Hanoi, organized by the Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam in coordination with the Department of Domestic Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Laos, as part of the 14th “Vitality of Vietnamese Goods” program.

Bringing Vietnamese and Lao Products Closer to Consumers

A notable feature of the week was the first joint presentation of distinctive products from the two countries in a shared space along a central street in Hanoi. The program not only created an additional venue for product promotion but also brought products directly to consumers and gave companies an opportunity to explore the market.

The Laos product area featured a range of distinctive products, including Yodsam and Champahom sticky rice; Laofood buffalo meat and Deejai beef; Lanxiang, Xieng Khouang and Somnuek ancient tea; Beerlao, essential oils, and textile products such as scarves and ties.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese product area brought together products from various regions, including Viet Huong green sticky rice patties, Hanoi banh cha (traditional crispy pork fat pastries), Hong Lam candied fruits, folk figurines made from glutinous rice dough by artisan Dang Van Hau, Luan Nghiep fish sauce, Le Phuong peanut ginger rice paper candy, Kim Giang shrimp seasoning salt, Tung Duong sausages, Sukova cordyceps, coconut products from Luong Quoi and vegan cosmetics from Hanoi Xanh Cooperative.

Typical Vietnamese products showcased at the event

This diversity turned the week into a space for experiencing products, where commercial value was presented alongside the stories of the land, culture and people behind each product.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Viet Son said each product carries not only commercial value but also stories about the land, people and culture of each country. Bringing products closer to consumers also helps people in the two countries better understand each other.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Viet Son, the connections formed during the week should be maintained, bringing Vietnamese and Lao products closer to consumers and expanding cooperation between companies from the two countries. The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam will continue coordinating with its Lao counterpart to promote business connections and expand market access channels.

From a trade cooperation perspective, Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh said the week took place as Vietnam and Laos were actively implementing agreements reached by their senior leaders on economic, trade and investment cooperation.

According to Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh, bringing products closer to consumers while creating opportunities for companies from the two countries to meet and connect directly will help turn cooperation agreements into concrete market activities. In this way, the program goes beyond product promotion by creating additional trade connections between Vietnamese and Lao companies.

For Lao companies, this was also an opportunity to directly reach Vietnamese consumers, learn about market demand and connect with domestic partners, expanding opportunities to bring their products into the Vietnamese market.

Tran Huu Linh, Director General of the Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance Development, said this was the first time distinctive and unique products from Vietnam and Laos had been presented together in a shared space along a central street in Hanoi.

According to Linh, the presence of products from both countries not only gives consumers more choices but also creates direct connections among companies, products and the market.

Ambassador of Laos Khamphao Ernthavanh speaks at the event 

Expanding Resources to Develop the Vietnamese Goods Market

As part of the program, ahead of the opening ceremony of Vietnam-Laos Product Week, the Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance Development and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of the Government signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in implementing the “Vitality of Vietnamese Goods” program.

This provides additional resources to promote and develop the Vietnamese goods market, particularly as approaches to consumers are rapidly shifting toward digitalization.

Under the memorandum of understanding, the two sides will coordinate to promote Vietnamese products, connect Vietnamese goods with consumers and domestic distribution channels, and organize knowledge-sharing and training activities on digital transformation, e-commerce, livestreaming, brand building and digital communications.

The program also aims to connect experts, entrepreneurs, artists, influencers and young startup networks to support producers and companies in accessing the market.

Laos’ signature products, including Yadsam and Champahom sticky rice and Laofood buffalo meat

Bui Hoang Tung, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of the Government, said the Union’s strength lies in its extensive network of union members and young people across ministries, sectors and localities, as well as its ability to connect young people working in communications, technology and startups.

These resources can be mobilized to introduce Vietnamese products, support digital communications and connect companies, cooperatives and One Commune One Product (OCOP) producers with consumers.

“Through the program, we hope to bring the energy of youth, our networks and youth resources into concrete activities, from product communications to connecting producers and companies with the market,” Bui Hoang Tung said.

Combining direct trade promotion with digital communications and commerce is expected to create additional channels for Vietnamese products to reach consumers. The participation of young people expands the support network for companies, cooperatives and producers in brand building, promotion and market development.

By Le Hien, Vietnam Business Forum