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| The space showcasing products from Son La province |
Introducing local products
According to the Organizing Committee, the showcase brought together 45 Vietnamese and Japanese localities, organisations and businesses, along with industrial park infrastructure investors in Hue City. Each booth introduced signature products, images of the locality, cooperation needs and information about the investment environment.
At the booths of Hue City, a wide range of products was showcased. Ao-Dai and Ve Mien Huong Ngu Art Stage Co. Ltd., chose fashion products made from A Luoi Zèng fabric to introduce to Japanese delegates and businesses. The products are developed from the traditional weaving craft of the highland communities in A Luoi, while being adapted into contemporary fashion to meet changing consumer needs.
Mr. Nguyen Viet Bao, a representative of Ao-Dai and Ve Mien Huong Ngu Art Stage Co. Ltd., said Japanese consumers are interested in products made from natural and environmentally friendly materials. The company therefore chose to showcase fashion products made from A Luoi Zèng fabric, using cotton yarn, traditional hand-weaving techniques, and naturally sourced dyes. By connecting with local resources and restoring and developing traditional products, the company hopes to connect with businesses in the same sector to promote trade in Hue’s traditional products.
For businesses, taking part in the showcase is not only about finding markets for their products, but also about gaining a better understanding of partners, consumer preferences and the market's ability to receive their products.
Mr. Susumu Higuchi from the Yamanashi Prefecture Department of Agriculture said Hue City has diverse natural resources stretching from mountainous areas to the coast, creating room to explore potential cooperation in agriculture.
According to Mr. Susumu Higuchi, although he has not yet had an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of Hue's agricultural sector, he hopes the two sides will have more specialized discussions in the future. Yamanashi Prefecture also hopes to have an opportunity to introduce its agricultural products to Hue market.
Opening up more opportunities for cooperation
Mr. Dao Van Quang, Deputy Director of Son La Provincial Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion, said: “Taking part in the 2026 Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum, Son La is introducing OCOP products, specialty agricultural products, and the province's potential and strengths. We hope Japanese businesses can work with the province to explore investment in processing and preservation technologies and enhance our capacity to develop export markets”.
According to Mr. Dao Van Quang, participating in the showcase, which brought together representatives of localities, organizations and businesses, allows the center to reach a wide range of potential partners in one place. In addition to introducing products, the center can also learn about the areas that partners are interested in, their cooperation needs and the conditions that need to be prepared to support investment and trade promotion.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thao, Director of Hue City Center for Investment, Trade and Business Support, said the showcase at Song Huong Theater was part of a series of activities held as part of the forum. Following initial contacts at the booths, the Hue - Japan Business Connection Conference provided further information about the city's potential, projects calling for investment, and cooperation needs. Combining the product showcase with more in-depth business matching sessions creates additional “touchpoints” between businesses and localities from the two countries. This, in turn, opens up more opportunities for cooperation and helps enhance the value of local products in international markets.