Visitors at Food ingredients - Fi Vietnam that is held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre from May 13–15. —VNS Photo Thu Hằng

HCM CITY — Việt Nam’s F&B ingredients exhibition Fi Vietnam 2026 opened in HCM City on Wednesday.

The event brings together more than 300 exhibitors and 9,000 trade participants from 40 countries and territories.

Fi Vietnam, its largest edition to date, features a comprehensive product portfolio, spanning food ingredients and additives, flavours and enzymes, as well as nutritional ingredients, natural products, and technology solutions supporting product development.

There are international pavilions representing Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, India, and Thailand.

From traditional Vietnamese raw materials to advanced ingredient solutions and processing technologies, the exhibition presents a comprehensive sourcing hub for product development, formulation and market expansion.

The event presents six dedicated ingredients pavilions, covering health ingredients, natural ingredients, beverage ingredients, pet food ingredients, probiotics and functional ingredients.

Products that support digestive health, immunity, and overall wellbeing are seeing increasing interest, alongside a growing preference for natural ingredients, clean label formulations, and fortified foods.

To further enhance business engagement, the expo launches the Match and Meet Lounge alongside a dedicated Hosted Buyer Programme that connects qualified buyers with selected suppliers.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lý Kim Chi, President of the Food and Foodstuff Association in HCM City, said: “This event has become an important trade promotion platform in the global Fi exhibition series, providing many opportunities for effective business networking and cooperation for businesses in finding new sources of raw materials and food additives, while promoting the development of the Vietnamese food industry.”

In the context of the food industry's shift from competition based on production volume to competition based on quality and value, raw materials and product formulas are increasingly becoming the foundation determining a business's competitiveness, Chi said.

Fi Vietnam 2026 is not only an expo to introduce advanced products and solutions, but also a platform for domestic and international businesses to share experiences and update on the latest market trends, she said.

This is a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to meet, network, and learn from reputable partners to enhance the competitiveness of domestic products in terms of flavour, quality, and price, aiming for sustainable exports and improved food safety, she added.

The opening of Food ingredients - Fi Vietnam in HCM City on May 13. — VNS Photo Thu Hằng

In collaboration with leading Vietnamese associations, the expo will present a series of specialised industry conferences, offering insights into key developments shaping Việt Nam’s food and beverage ingredients market.

The beverage conference, hosted by the Việt Nam Beer - Alcohol - Beverage Association, will explore the topic “Future Development of Beverage Additives Market in Việt Nam”, offering insights into growth opportunities and evolving industry demands.

The Health Protection Foods Conference, hosted by the Việt Nam Food Science and Technology Association, will focus on the topic “Technologies, Innovations, and Trends in Ingredients for Health Protection Foods”, highlighting advancements shaping the next generation of functional and health-oriented products.

Halal Day @ Fi Vietnam highlights the rising relevance of halal standards in Việt Nam while opening new pathways for businesses to access both domestic and international markets.

Organised by Informa Markets, the expo at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre will run until Friday. — VNS