A booth at the 2019 Coffee Expo Vietnam that is being held at the SECC until November 2. — VNS Photo Xuân Hương

HCM CITY — The 2019 Coffee Expo Vietnam, the most prominent commercial event in the coffee, tea and bakery sectors, opened on Thursday in HCM City, attracting 80 brands from eight countries and territories.

The expo features 205 booths displaying a wide range of tea and coffee products and machinery, equipment and materials to make coffee, beverages and sweet foods.

The event also includes concurrent events like the Vietnam Super Barista contest, the International Coffee Roast Master Championship and training sessions for baristas and people working at coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants and hotels.

At this year’s Vietnam Super Barista Contest, contestants will compete for prizes of nearly VNĐ200 million (US$8,700) and the champion will be sponsored by Coex Vietnam to participate in the 2020 World Super Barista Championship in Seoul, Korea.

In addition, the second International Coffee Roast Master Championship will select the most elite roaster in Việt Nam to attend the World Roast Master Tournament in Bangkok next March.

Organised by Coex Vietnam, the Việt Nam Coffee and Cocoa Association and Vinexad at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC), the annual expo will offer the perfect opportunity for domestic and foreign businesses in the coffee, tea and bakery sectors to network and explore business opportunities.

Việt Nam is one of the world’s largest coffee producers and exporters.

According to market research companies, consumption of coffee and sweets has seen rapid growth in Việt Nam. The number of coffee shop chains and pastry shops has also gone up sharply.

Another exhibition, the 11th Việt Nam International Retail Tech and Franchise Show, also opened at the SECC on Thursday, bringing together 180 franchising brands and 100 store technology companies from many countries and territories such as South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, mainland China, Indonesia and the Philippines.

At the only exhibition in Việt Nam in the franchising and retail sectors organised by Coex Vietnam, Retail and Franchise Asia, and Vinexad, businesses can find solutions for their own stores and suitable franchise brands of all sizes.

Many seminars and conferences will be held during the show, with speakers who are experts in retail and franchising.

The two exhibitions will run until November 2. — VNS