Large companies from the Nordic region such as H&M, Gothenburg Port, GFI Stockholm, and East Asia Food are preparing to come to Vietnam to seek sourcing opportunities.
According to information provided to Industry and Trade Newspaper, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hoàng Thúy – Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden – shared that recently, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), in collaboration with the Embassy and the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden (also covering Latvia), organized an online seminar titled “Gateway to Vietnam.” The event attracted considerable interest from Latvian businesses seeking cooperation opportunities and business expansion in Asia, particularly in Vietnam – a dynamic and highly promising market.
The seminar served as an opportunity to update participants on the overall picture of trade and investment relations between Latvia and Vietnam, as well as to introduce Vietnam’s favorable business environment, investment attraction policies, and competitive advantages in the global supply chain. It also kicked off preparations for a delegation of Latvian businesses visiting and working in Vietnam, expected from September 2 to 11, 2025, organized by LCCI in coordination with the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden.
Speakers at the seminar included representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in Sweden, the Department of Overseas Market Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, LCCI representatives in Vietnam, along with several Latvian experts and businesses currently living and working in Vietnam. Their practical insights and diverse perspectives provided the Latvian business community with a clearer understanding of the cooperation potential with Vietnam in the near future.
Nordic companies have participated in Vietnam International Sourcing for several years (Photo: Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden)
This seminar was part of a series of promotional activities for the Vietnam International Sourcing 2025, a major trade promotion event directed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and organized by the Department of Overseas Market Development. The fair aims to support businesses in deeper participation in global production and supply chains, while facilitating direct connections with international distribution systems, importers, and retailers.
This year’s event will take place from September 4 to 6, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring an exhibition space of over 10,000 m² and gathering hundreds of manufacturers, exporters, and international buyers participating in a series of in-depth trade seminars and networking sessions.
In addition to the Latvian business delegation currently being prepared, more than 10 Swedish companies have confirmed their participation with the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden, including notable names such as H&M, Gothenburg Port, GFI Stockholm, and East Asia Food.
Speaking with reporters from Industry and Trade Newspaper, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hoàng Thúy emphasized that after three years of organization, Vietnam International Sourcing has achieved notable traction, as evidenced by the significant increase in the number of international businesses attending this year compared to the previous year. The organizing committee has also become increasingly professional in their operations, aiming to provide the best opportunities for businesses on both sides to strengthen trade relations.
During the 2023 and 2024 events, the Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden (also covering the Nordic region) successfully organized sizable delegations of businesses from various industries to attend. These delegations had opportunities to gain deeper insights into the Vietnamese market and explore cooperation potential across different sectors, from logistics to manufacturing, opening up numerous new business opportunities.
For instance, Gothenburg Port, which attended the 2023 fair, established connections and collaborated with Vietnamese partners. Recognizing the potential of the Vietnamese market, they worked closely with Saigon Newport Corporation and prepared to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote direct import and export activities between Vietnam and Sweden through Gothenburg Port and Saigon Newport’s network. The signing ceremony subsequently took place in September 2024.
Vietnam International Sourcing is a major sourcing fair organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, continuously held since 2022. Through Vietnam International Sourcing, many new products have been introduced to the Nordic market, such as shredded green papaya and Vietnamese frozen bread.
(Source: bao Cong Thuong)
