A booth displaying various kind of pet toys at the 2024 Petfair Vietnam being held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City until March 29. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY — An international trade fair for the pet industry opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City on Wednesday.

Speaking at the opening of the 2024 Petfair Vietnam, Nguyễn Bá Vinh, general director of Minh Vi Exhibition and Advertising Services Co Ltd., (VEAS), one of the organisers, said the fair, though held for the first time, has attracted nearly 200 brands from 15 countries and territories, underlining the attractiveness of the Vietnamese market.

They have come from South Korea, China, Thailand, the US, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Russia, Spain, Turkey, India, Lithuania, the Philippines, and include national pavilions for Korea and China, he said.

The event features the latest and most advanced pet care technologies, products and services, a VIP buyer programme for customers from Southeast Asia, Europe and the US, a pet fur dyeing and grooming contest named Wondergrooming, and a pet industry sourcing hub.

Seminars on the latest trends in pet healthcare, nutrition and training will be held.

ChengYang, president of the China Pet Industry Association (CPIA), said the exhibition is expected to foster long-term cooperation between local and foreign businesses in terms of pet products, technologies and services.

Vinh said the fair would create lots of opportunities for businesses to do business and hold exchanges with leading global industry experts and access advanced technologies.

According to experts, with rising incomes and quality of life, pet ownership in Việt Nam has grown rapidly in recent years and will continue to do so.

This translates into great potential for businesses areas like pet food and specialised pet services.

Organised by VEAS in collaboration with China's Beijing Beyond Technology Co Ltd with support from CPIA, the Association of Korea Pet Product Export and others, the fair will go on until March 29 and expects to receive over 6,000 trade visitors. — VNS