HCM CITY — Thirty leading Vietnamese food and beverage companies will showcase their organic produce and other foods that meet global standards, as well as geographical indication-protected products at an expo to be held in Bangkok from May 29 to June 2.

This will be the first time the Vietnamese High Quality Products Business Association is sending businesses to ThaiFex – an International Trade Exhibition for Food and Beverages, Food Technology and Retail and Franchise in Asia, said Vũ Kim Hạnh, chairwoman of the association.

The participating companies will include Vinamit JSC; Bến Tre Import-Export JSC; Trung Nguyên Group; VinEco Agricultural Investment, Development and Productions LLC; Lai Phú JSC; Thuận Thiên Thành Food Investment and Development JSC; Cỏ May Co Ltd; Bibica JSC; and Petrolimex Import-Export JSC.

The Vietnamese pavilion will have an “organic and natural village” to showcase organic products such as desiccated fruits, rice, processed coconut and milk, alongside products with geographical indication like Phú Quốc fish sauce, Bình Thuận dragon fruit, Bình Phước cashew nuts, Bến Tre’s Xiêm coconuts and grapefruits, and natural products like Đồng Tháp lotus.

A cookery show by food artisan Bùi Thi Sương and the Việt Nam Culinary Conservation, Research and Development Centre will be held on the first three days of the exhibition, to introduce Việt Nam’s unique dishes to visitors, Hạnh said.

The Vietnamese delegation will organise business matching programmes between Vietnamese and ASEAN firms, and there will be an international seminar with Vietnamese and foreign speakers discussing the potential of the ASEAN market and sharing their experience in developing and commercialising products with geographical indication.

Hạnh said businesses could promote their products and technologies, seek business partners and get updated on global consumer tastes and market trends in the food and beverages sector.

Jointly organised by Koelnmesse Pte Ltd, Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thaifex is expected to draw the attendance of more than 2,500 exhibitors from over 40 countries and territories. — VNS