Trần Ngọc An (third of left), Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK, visits a Vietnamese booth displaying products made of bamboo at the Top Drawer fair held in London from September 8-10. VNS Photos Bồ Xuân Hiệp

LONDON — As many as 20 leading Vietnamese manufacturers of handicrafts and fashion accessories for the first time are showcasing their products at one of UK’s leading international design-led events held in London from September 8-10.

Vietnamese goods displayed at the Top Drawer fair include a wide range of indoor furniture, handicrafts and interior furnishing and accessories, among other products.

Also on display are decorative products made of bamboo, wooden boats, porcelain bowls, leather products, bamboo cups, embroidery bags, silk towels and lacquered furniture.

A Vietnamese booth displays miniatures made of bamboo of major tourist attractions in London at the Top Drawer fair held in London from September 8-10.

Speaking at the opening day of the fair, Trần Ngọc An, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK, said the exhibition provided great opportunities for firms to introduce their products and promote their brands in the UK and beyond.

London is one of the most important and influential centres for retail 
and contract markets in the world, according to An. 

“The event also helps Vietnamese enterprises learn about the latest market trends and customer demand in Europe, especially in the UK, so they can improve their product quality and designs,” he said. “The UK fair is an important trade promotion channel for Vietnamese handicraft firms to reach buyers from across the UK and beyond.” 

Visitors at a Vietnamese booth at the Top Drawer fair held in London from September 8-10.

Nguyễn Công Ái Huyên, CEO and founder of Neyuh Leather, an exhibitor at the fair, said that many of the handcrafted leather goods displayed at the fair were skillfully made by Vietnamese artisans.

“I’ve noticed that some handicraft products are often overlooked by local Vietnamese consumers but are very popular with high-end customers in the UK,” she told Việt Nam News.

The potential buyers are from department stores, buying groups, independent retailers, online retailers, interior designers and contract buyers from across the UK and beyond, she said.

Vietnamese enterprises, most of which are members of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City, were sponsored by the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre under the HCM City People’s Committee.

Top Drawer is a curated platform for the UK and international lifestyle brands to present new ranges and best sellers across 11-curated sectors. 

The event has attracted more than 1,500 leading brands, new names and designers to do business with creative retailer buyers from the UK and beyond. 

The three-day event is organised by Clarion Events Ltd, which organises buying events and e-commerce events for multichannel retailers and professionals. Its subsidiary Global Sources is its liaison office for the Asian region. — VNS