Hybrid trade shows will be much needed to kick-start the post-pandemic economy and play a vital role in boosting trade and innovations during the economic recovery process. The 14th Vietnam International Woodworking Industry Fair (VietnamWood), a representative woodworking and wood processing machinery industry exhibition in Vietnam, was originally scheduled to run in September 2021. However, its postponement to 20 to 23 October 2021 allows more time for global vaccination programmes to take effect, leading to a safer in-person event environment and significantly higher face-to-face participation.
VietnamWood is jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry & Trade, Vinexad National Trade Fair & Advertising J.S.C (VINEXAD) and Yorkers Trade & Marketing Service Co., Ltd. (YORKERS) and co-organised by the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA). It is the only Vietnamese exhibition endorsed by the European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers (EUMABOIS) for the past two decades. VietnamWood aims to trigger intelligent technology and automation to upgrade the Vietnamese furniture and wooden manufactures with smart supply chain solutions.
Over 500 leading companies line-up to present comprehensive supply chain solutions
VietnamWood 2019 played host to 573 exhibitors from the United States, Europe and Asia, and attracted 11,650 visitors from leading woodworking firms and plywood manufacturers such as Kaiser, Rochdale Spears, Wanek, TEKCOM Corporation and VinaWood. VietnamWood 2021 expects to gather over 500 exhibitors to present cutting-edge technologies, products, and services divided into primary processing (machines for veneer and plywood processing), secondary processing (eg, sawing, planing, forming, CNC, edge banding, finger jointing, drilling, doweling and polishing), tools, related equipment for surface finishing, auxiliaries, dust collecting, and furniture hardware or accessories. Notable exhibitors such as Thuan Hien, Thuong Nguyen, Quoc Duy, Van Su Loi, Nanxing, RIKEN, Dai Phuc Vinh, Long Phat CNC, Sam Bac and many more will be showcasing at VietnamWood 2021.
Wood industry associations lend strong support to facilitate industrial upgrade
Both domestic and overseas wood industry associations strongly support VietnamWood, including the Binh Duong Furniture Association (BIFA); Forest Products Association of Binh Dinh (FPA Binhdinh); Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (VIETFOREST), Vietnam Association of Mechanical Industry (VAMI); German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturer’s Association (VDMA); Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO), American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC); the Quebec Wood Export Bureau (QWEB); French Timber; the Qingdao Woodworking Machinery Association; Lunjiao Woodworking Machinery Chamber of Commerce; and Taiwan Woodworking Machinery Association (TWMA).
Taking advantage of the expertise from local industry associations, conferences and seminars will be held on the sidelines of the expo, focus on woodworking and wood processing technology, automation and digitalisation.
Vietnam wood industry regains growth momentum to enhance global market competitiveness
According to recent data, the total export value of timber, wooden products and forest products in 2020 estimated by VIFORES would reach $12.5 billion, showing a 10% growth compared to the previous year. The extraordinary result was partially credited to Vietnam’s effective control of pandemic while countries like the US, the European Union, and South East Asian countries had to temporarily suspended production due to the pandemic lockdowns. With the implementation of two main free trade agreements – the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) – Vietnam’s wood processing and furniture manufacturing industry takes advantage of CPTPP and EVFTA for global market expansion. The EVFTA is hoped to contribute sustainable growth of Vietnam’s wood export, and expect to open up new sales channels and raise product value.
To pinpoint these prospects, VietnamWood, as the leading regional biennial trade fair for woodworking industry held in Ho Chi Minh City, is placing collaboration at the forefront of the fair’s evolving approach to the development of a sustainable local woodworking industry.
