Vietnam International Sourcing Fair 2025 – A Strategic Gateway for Vietnam–Nordic Cooperation

From 2 to 13 September 2025, a Nordic business delegation organized by the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden (also responsible for Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Latvia) carried out a wide-ranging mission to Vietnam, centering its activities around the Vietnam International Sourcing Fair 2025 (VIS 2025).
Held from 4 to 6 September in Ho Chi Minh City, VIS 2025 gathered over 500 Vietnamese export booths and more than 300 buyer delegations from 60+ countries, serving as a powerful launch pad for trade, investment, and logistics cooperation between Vietnam and Northern Europe.

H&M: Expanding Investment and Building a Sustainable Global Supply Chain

Global fashion retailer H&M used VIS 2025 as a strategic turning point to reinforce its sourcing and retail presence in Vietnam.

• Green showcase & thought leadership: H&M presented two eco-friendly booths featuring recycled materials and participated as a keynote speaker at the Vietnam Export Forum and the seminar “International Trade in a New Context: Opportunities and Challenges for Vietnam”.
• Business expansion: With 14 stores and nationwide e-commerce channels already in place, H&M is considering to open flagship stores and multiple new outlets, while strengthening partnerships with local suppliers meeting ESG and traceability standards.
• High-level policy dialogue: H&M executives met with the Hanoi People’s Committee, Ho Chi Minh City authorities, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Vietnam Electricity (EVN) to discuss retail site selection, the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) for renewable energy, and policies such as the Economic Needs Test (ENT).

Through these steps, H&M reaffirmed Vietnam’s dual role as a key production hub and an emerging consumer market, making the country a strategic link in its global fashion supply chain.

Gothenburg Port: Driving Direct Vietnam–Nordic Shipping and Green Logistics

Gothenburg Port, the largest seaport in Sweden and Northern Europe’s trade gateway, attended VIS for the second consecutive time, underscoring its long-term commitment to Vietnam.

• Comprehensive outreach: The delegation visited SSIT and Gemalink ports in Ba Ria–Vung Tau, met global carriers MSC, CMA-CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd, and held discussions with VARD Shipyard and Suntex Garment in Binh Duong to optimize shipping and textile logistics for Nordic markets.
• Strategic agreements: A highlight was the Friendly Agreement with Long An International Port, designed to open direct Vietnam–Sweden sea routes and strengthen sustainable maritime transport.
• National connections: In Hanoi and Hai Phong, Gothenburg Port met with Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), Vinatex, VinFast, and others, focusing on AI- and IoT-driven smart port solutions and direct container services.

Swedish Ambassador Johan Ndisi welcomed the delegation and endorsed Gothenburg’s plan to build direct, carbon-reduced shipping links, leveraging the Railport Scandinavia electrified rail network to distribute Vietnamese goods efficiently across Europe.

IKEA: Reinforcing Circular and Climate-Positive Supply Chains

IKEA highlighted Vietnam’s importance as a renewable-material sourcing base with lower CO₂ emissions, pledging to share expertise on sustainable forestry, climate resilience, and community livelihoods, further anchoring Vietnam in its global green growth strategy.

Vietnamese Diaspora and Food Imports: Expanding Market Access

Swedish-Vietnamese enterprise A Chau Lien Import & Export AB returned to VIS to source organic, canned, and specialty food products, after successfully introducing Vietnamese chili sauce, frozen baguettes, lotus-wrapped shrimp sticky rice, and shredded green papaya to Nordic retail chains.

The Vietnamese Business Association in Sweden also advanced the campaign “Vietnamese use Vietnamese goods”, helping Vietnamese products gain deeper entry into demanding Northern European distribution networks.

Latvia: Investing and Relocating Production to Vietnam

The Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LTRK) led a delegation seeking investment and manufacturing partnerships:

• Trade and policy engagement: Meetings with VCCI, ASMES, EuroCham, and CEEC highlighted opportunities in pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, and food processing, while leveraging the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
• Concrete partnerships: LTRK signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tay Ninh Department of Industry and Trade, opening prospects for agriculture and food-processing cooperation.
• Industrial insight: Site visits included Vietnam Boiler JSC and exchanges with the Vietnam Association of Mechanical Industry (VAMI), exploring joint production of boilers and mechanical equipment.

Latvian companies such as Lotos Pharma and SIA GRANDEG emphasized Vietnam’s cost advantages, skilled workforce, and stable growth as key reasons to relocate part of their production and expand exports to the Baltic and EU markets.

A Shared Vision for Sustainable, Inclusive Growth

Across two intensive weeks and dozens of official events and B2B meetings, VIS 2025 emerged as the central platform for deepening Vietnam–Nordic economic ties.

• H&M confirmed Vietnam as a strategic global production and retail hub.
• Gothenburg Port advanced direct sea routes and green logistics cooperation.
• IKEA and Asia Lien strengthened sustainable sourcing and market expansion.
• Latvian businesses forged new industrial and agricultural partnerships.

The mission highlighted Vietnam’s position as a trusted partner and strategic destination for Northern European enterprises, reinforcing the country’s role in the rapidly shifting Asia–Pacific supply chain and setting the stage for long-term, green, and mutually beneficial cooperation.