Northern Vietnam Trade Fair Opens in Bac Ninh, Boosting Economic Growth and Regional Connectivity

The Northern Vietnam Industry and Trade Fair, "Bắc Ninh 2026," grandly opened on September 16th in Bac Giang commune, Bac Ninh province. Organized by the People's Committee of Bac Ninh Province and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the fair aims to stimulate the regional economy, promote products, and enhance connections between suppliers and buyers. Distinguished guests at the opening ceremony included Mr. Phạm Văn Thịnh, Vice Chairman of the Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Nguyễn Xuân Định, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Farmers' Union Central Executive Committee; and Mr. Hoàng Minh Chiến, Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade), along with leaders from many businesses, retail groups, supermarket chains, wholesale markets, e-commerce platforms, cooperatives, and traders from within and outside the province. Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phương, Deputy Director of the Bac Ninh Department of Industry and Trade, emphasized in his opening speech that this fair, held amidst the jubilant atmosphere as the Party organization, government, and people of Bac Ninh province look forward to the announcement of Bac Ninh city's establishment as a centrally-governed entity, is a practical event that simultaneously promotes trade promotion activities and publicizes the image of Bac Ninh as a dynamic, modern, and culturally rich province entering a new development phase. The fair, part of the 2026 National Trade Promotion Program, is directed by Bac Ninh Province and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. It will run from September 16th to 22nd, 2026. The objective of the fair is to create a favorable environment for businesses and cooperatives to promote their brands, introduce products, connect supply and demand, expand consumption markets, and strengthen production and business linkages. Concurrently, it serves as an occasion to showcase Bac Ninh's potential, advantages, socio-economic development achievements, and investment and business environment. It will also promote industrial products, OCOP products, outstanding rural industrial products, traditional craft village products, high-tech agricultural products, and characteristic products from northern provinces and cities. This year's fair features over 220 booths with the participation of more than 200 units and businesses. The booths are organized into specialized display areas: Northern provinces' industry and trade; OCOP products; outstanding products from Bac Ninh businesses and other provinces and cities; craft village products; and comprehensive trade, tourism, and regional cuisine. Additionally, the Provincial Farmers' Union is organizing over 30 more booths. Through product display and introduction activities, trade connection events, conferences, and seminars, the fair is expected to generate numerous opportunities for businesses to meet partners, expand distribution systems, and reach markets and consumers. It aims to contribute to boosting the domestic market, supporting the "Vietnamese people prioritize Vietnamese goods" campaign, and enhancing the application of digital technology and e-commerce in trade promotion activities. Mr. Hoàng Minh Chiến, Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, affirmed that this year's event takes place at a special time, practically celebrating the historic milestone of Bac Ninh province officially becoming a centrally-governed city. From a purely agricultural region, Bac Ninh today has emerged as a key industrial growth pole, a center for high-tech manufacturing, supporting industries, and a leading export hub in the country. Hosting a regional-level fair confirms Bac Ninh's position as an economic connectivity center with modern logistics infrastructure and commercial spillover effects for the Capital region and the Red River Delta. The Northern Vietnam Industry and Trade Fair - Bac Ninh 2026 is envisioned not just as a space for displaying and retailing goods but as a substantive trade floor, connecting supply and demand on a large scale between industrial support production facilities, OCOP entities, outstanding handicrafts, and modern distribution corporations, retail systems, and reputable e-commerce platforms. Prior to this, within the framework of the fair, the Bac Ninh Provincial Farmers' Union organized the opening of the 2026 Bac Ninh Safe Agricultural Product Market themed "Homeland Agricultural Products - Connecting the Future." A special highlight of the 2026 Safe Agricultural Product Market is the convergence of over 300 unique products from various districts of Bac Ninh, along with the participation of neighboring provinces and cities: Hanoi, Hung Yen, Son La, Thai Nguyen, and Phu Tho. These are OCOP-certified products (3-5 stars) deeply embodying regional identity; safe and high-quality agricultural products and foods controlled under VietGAP and organic standards linked to value chains; and traditional craft village products. The market serves not only as a platform for trade and consumption of agricultural products between farmers, cooperatives, businesses, and consumers but also as an affirmation of the quality and brand of Bac Ninh's agricultural products, befitting its status as a civilized and modern centrally-governed city. By TUỆ LÂM