In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Vũ Bá Phú, director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), has described the first Glorious Spring Fair 2026 as a success, saying the event not only created a vibrant Tết atmosphere but also delivered tangible trade promotion results.

How do you assess the overall results of this year’s Spring Fair? To what extent were the set targets achieved?

The 2026 Spring Fair was successful in creating a vibrant Tết and spring festive space. The event went beyond a conventional marketplace, combining production and business promotion activities with folk and contemporary cultural performances. Through these activities, the fair helped promote product brands and regional images while fostering pride in Vietnamese goods.

In terms of visitor numbers and transactions, the fair attracted around 500,000 visits over 10 days. It also welcomed international delegations from India, the Philippines, Belgium, the Republic of Korea, Japan and China seeking cooperation opportunities. Regarding business performance, results were positive. Exhibitors reported daily revenues ranging from several million to hundreds of millions of đồng. An estimated 75 per cent of participating units recorded strong revenue growth during the final weekend, notably those from Hà Nội, Cà Mau and Lào Cai.

On communications, the information dissemination target was effectively met thanks to coordinated efforts by press agencies and digital platforms. The fair was featured in thousands of articles and hundreds of social media posts on platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, generating hundreds of thousands of views per day.

Cultural and artistic programmes were described as the soul of this year’s fair. The integration of folk performance spaces and presentations of intangible cultural heritage alongside experiential activities such as making bánh chưng and crafting tò he figurines created a lively Tết atmosphere. These activities not only extended visitors’ stay but also enhanced product value, as each regional specialty was associated with its cultural story, strengthening public confidence in Vietnamese goods.

Overall, the fair created a spring-themed consumer space featuring high-quality Vietnamese products and regional specialties, combined with experiential and cultural activities. Visitors were able to shop while engaging with traditional values linked to domestic products, thereby enhancing the appeal of the event and promoting the production and trade capacity of localities.

How were supply–demand connectivity and support for enterprises, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reflected at the fair?

The ministry noted that the 2026 Spring Fair marked a shift from a purely retail space to a more substantive trade platform. The effectiveness of enterprise support, particularly for SMEs, was reflected in three main aspects.

The event served as a bridge connecting producers, distributors and consumers. Through exhibition areas and thematic forums, enterprises were able to expand retail networks and directly access markets during the event.

By integrating traditional cultural elements and specialty product experiences, the fair created a strong consumer touchpoint that stimulated demand for Vietnamese goods. This provided an important boost for SMEs to promote their brands and accelerate sales during the peak pre-Tết period. Following the fair, the ministry will continue to support enterprises in maintaining links with distributors to translate promotional outcomes into stable supply contracts.

The fair’s success was not measured solely by revenue figures but also by the creation of a stronger connectivity environment, contributing to market stabilisation and encouraging the consumption of domestic products during the Tết season.

What lessons has the ministry drawn to improve the organisation of future fairs?

From the Spring Fair, the ministry outlined four key lessons to enhance future trade promotion activities. Fairs should not be viewed as standalone sales events but placed within a national trade promotion strategy, with coordinated organisation and clear themes to help regulate the market and stimulate demand at different stages. Consumer trust must be the benchmark. Fairs should ensure quality goods with clear origin and reasonable prices, alongside strict quality control for regional specialties to reinforce confidence in Vietnamese products and stabilise market sentiment.

Meanwhile, supply–demand connectivity activities should be further strengthened, linking product exhibitions with business forums and direct connections between enterprises and distribution systems to ensure concrete and long-term commercial results. Cultural and experiential spaces should continue to be integrated into exhibition areas to attract visitors. The combination of shopping and cultural experiences not only enhances brand promotion effectiveness but also creates a distinctive identity for Vietnamese fairs.

Lessons drawn from the first Spring Fair 2026 will serve as an important basis for improving the organisation of future national fairs and exhibitions in a more professional, effective and sustainable manner, thereby enhancing national trade promotion capacity and supporting enterprises in both domestic and international markets. — VNS

In an interview with Viet Nam News Agency, Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Division Director for Việt Nam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR discusses the macro-economic outlook for Việt Nam in the year ahead.

How do you assess Việt Nam’s economic outlook for 2026, given the continued uncertainties in the global economy?

Việt Nam enters 2026 with strong momentum following a robust performance in 2025, just as the country begins implementing the directions set out by the recent Party Congress.

GDP growth is estimated at around 8 per cent in 2025 – its second-highest rate in 15 years. The economy performed strongly because key drivers worked together, including resilient exports, robust public and private investment, and a record tourism recovery. Additionally, FTSE Russell’s recent upgrade of Việt Nam’s stock market signals growing confidence from international investors and is set to unlock more capital.

However, the global environment remains uncertain. The World Bank projects global growth to ease to around 2.6 per cent in 2026, with trade tensions and geopolitical risks creating headwinds for export-oriented economies.

For Việt Nam, the key risk is that export momentum may slow if the trade environment becomes more restrictive. However, the country possesses critical strengths: economic stability, well-contained inflation, and low public debt. This foundation sustains investor confidence and gives the government fiscal space to invest in infrastructure, skills development, and reforms that help domestic firms scale up and create better jobs.

How can Việt Nam leverage these strengths to maintain a competitive edge in global supply chains as multinational firms continue to diversify production?

The 2025 figures tell an important story. Disbursed FDI reached a record US$27.6 billion – the highest in five years – with 83 per cent going into processing and manufacturing. This confirms Việt Nam’s central role as a global manufacturing hub.

Việt Nam’s advantages are clear: a strategic location at the heart of Asian trade routes, a strong industrial base, an extensive network of free trade agreements, and a cost-competitive and increasingly qualified workforce.

Looking ahead, sustaining this position will depend on efficient logistics, predictable regulations, and reliable access to energy. Moving up the value chain will further depend on deeper linkages between foreign-invested firms and domestic enterprises. Stronger domestic suppliers are a powerful channel for productivity growth and job creation.

The World Bank Group’s partnership with Việt Nam focuses here: sharing global knowledge and financing solutions to improve the investment climate, reduce logistics costs, expand skills, and modernise infrastructure.

How do you assess the shift of FDI into high-tech and green sectors, and what does this trend mean for Việt Nam’s growth prospects?

This is a necessary step, not just a positive trend. For Việt Nam to sustain its position as a strategic FDI destination, it needs to upgrade to higher-value production rather than competing solely on cost. We are seeing a positive transition of capital into high-tech and green sectors, which aligns with the Party Congress resolution’s emphasis on a growth model driven by innovation, digital transformation, green growth, and energy transition.

This shift is a catalyst for three key changes. High tech investment deepens Việt Nam’s role in global value chains and raises productivity. Digital transformation allows firms to scale and integrate effectively with global networks. Meanwhile, green manufacturing is becoming a core requirement for investors as supply chains increasingly reflect climate commitments and energy security.

If these trends continue to strengthen, this wave of high-tech and green investment will serve as a powerful engine for resilient growth and the creation of higher-quality jobs from 2026 onwards.

As Việt Nam enters a new growth cycle in 2026, what are the critical factors for success?

Việt Nam has a strong opportunity to enter a new growth cycle in 2026, the first year of a new five-year period targeting double-digit GDP growth.

The country has a significant advantage: controlled inflation and low public debt provide the government room to respond to global uncertainty while protecting stability.

To succeed, public investment must work better – spending more efficiently, not just spending more. This requires stronger project preparation and faster implementation to close gaps in energy, transport, and logistics, which directly affect competitiveness.

Simultaneously, the business environment needs continued improvement. Investors need predictability: clear rules and transparent procedures. The Party’s Resolution 68 shows Việt Nam’s commitment in creating an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.

Finally, human capital is crucial; the next growth model requires higher skills. Investing in people is as important as investing in infrastructure. Underpinning all of this are strong institutions – the “breakthrough of breakthroughs” – which ensure strategies turn into results.

On the occasion of the Year of the Horse, what message do you have for the Vietnamese people?

As Việt Nam prepares to welcome Tết (Lunar New Year), I extend my warmest wishes to the people of Việt Nam for a happy, healthy, and prosperous Lunar New Year of the Horse. This is a moment of optimism as Việt Nam steps into a new rising era, with a clear vision for a modern, resilient, and high-income economy with better jobs and opportunities for all. The World Bank Group is proud to be a trusted partner of Việt Nam, and we look forward to deepening our co-operation in 2026 to turn ambition into results. VNS