A booth at HawaExpo 2025 that is being held at White Palace Phạm Văn Đồng, Thủ Đức City from March 5 to 7. — Photo courtesy of HAWA

HCM CITY — The 2025 Ho Chi Minh Export Furniture Fair (Hawa Expo 2025) opened in HCM City on Tuesday night at White Palace Phạm Văn Đồng in Thủ Đức City, offering a comprehensive insight into Việt Nam's production capabilities, creativity, and craftsmanship.

This year's fair features over 350 carefully selected booths from Việt Nam's top furniture and interior manufacturers, showcasing high-quality "Made in Vietnam" wood and handicraft products to international partners and buyers.

Phùng Quốc Mẫn, chairman of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City (HAWA), said: "With the mission of promoting the growth of Việt Nam's wood and handicraft industry, we are committed to making Hawa Expo a trade fair that prioritises support for Vietnamese manufacturers.”

He stated that this year, Vietnamese enterprises account for over 90 per cent of the fair’s total exhibition space. Additionally, Hawa Expo leads the way with a modern trade fair model, integrating advanced technology and making significant investments in international market promotion.

He further said that exhibitors are placing a strong emphasis on new product development, enhancing booth displays, and strategic marketing approaches to engage customers professionally and proactively.

“Hawa Expo 2025 is not only a hub for trade and order fulfillment but also a strategic meeting point for businesses to understand market demand, stay updated on the latest technologies, and drive sustainable development,” he said.

A series of key industry events, including the Vietnam Wood Industry Forum 2025 and specialised seminars and talks, will be held during the fair.

He expressed his belief that Hawa Expo 2025 will bring new opportunities for Việt Nam's wood and handicraft industry, securing numerous orders and fostering stronger connections and deeper collaborations between Vietnamese businesses and international partners.

Võ Văn Hoan, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, said the wood processing and handicraft industry experienced remarkable growth in 2024, with export turnover reaching US$16.3 billion, a 20.3 per cent increase from 2023. The sector remains one of the country's leading export industries, making significant contributions to both the national and HCM City economies.

Although HCM City's direct wood export volume accounts for just over $1 billion, the total export turnover of wood products traded through the city's port system exceeds 40 per cent of the industry’s total export, reaffirming the city's strategic role in the country’s exports.

Looking ahead to 2025, the global economic recovery is expected to bring new opportunities for Việt Nam's export sector, with wood and wood products among the industries poised for strong growth, he said.

According to Vũ Bá Phú, director of the Việt Nam Trade Promotion Agency, the fair is one of the most important trade promotion events in Việt Nam's wood processing and furniture industry, serving as a strategic bridge to help businesses expand partnerships, enhance brand recognition, and increase competitiveness in the global market.

Organised by five leading wood industry associations – Viforest, HAWA, BIFA, DOWA, and FPA Bình Định –the fair is free to visit from March 5–7 at White Palace, 588 Phạm Văn Đồng, Thủ Đức City. — VNS