VIFA ASEAN 2026 Boosts Vietnam's Furniture Sector Towards Global Value Chains

Vietnam's exports of wood and wood products exceeded $17 billion for the first time in 2025, reaching a record $17.2 billion. However, exports to the UK amounted to only $244 million, indicating considerable room for growth. VIFA Expo 2026 has drawn nearly 650 enterprises from 14 provinces and cities across Vietnam and 18 countries and territories. Exhibitors will showcase their products across 2,500 booths covering a total exhibition area of 45,000 sq.m. The four-day fair, themed “Gathering All the Best Southeast Asian Furniture Excellence,” aims to connect the furniture industries of ASEAN nations and establish Ho Chi Minh City as a regional trade hub. Finance Minister Ngo Van Tuan highlighted Vladivostok's important role as a gateway connecting Russia with the Asia-Pacific region, including Vietnam. He noted that 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations. Phu Tho now has 32 industrial parks covering more than 7,000ha, 18 of which are operational. It is home to major international groups such as Honda, Toyota and Piaggio, as well as more than 70 supporting enterprises supplying global technology groups including Samsung, Dell and Apple. According to Customs Division at the Lao Cai International Border Gate, total import-export turnover had reached nearly $1.6 billion as of August 26, up 75% year-on-year. Exports rose 162% to nearly $887 million, while imports increased 22% to nearly $685 million. The drive is expected to bolster growth in Vietnam’s economic hub through year-end while expanding urban space and improving living standards. As Vietnam continues to expand its investment pipeline, diversifying funding sources will become increasingly important. Turning capital into viable projects will depend not only on market demand, but also on project quality, investment structures and execution capabilities. For businesses, every unit of energy saved helps lower production costs and improve operational efficiency. At the economy-wide level, efficient energy use reduces pressure on the supply system and the need for new investment. Hanoisme proposed support programmes for green transition, intellectual property, traceability and cross-border e-commerce, as well as credit packages specifically for exporters. Airlines face a market in which fuel and foreign-exchange volatility, high fleet costs and constrained aircraft supply are increasingly shaping competition alongside passenger growth and market share. Following last year's provincial mergers, Lam dong has become Vietnam’s largest province by area, opening up significant development potential across industry, agriculture, tourism, services and the marine economy. Held both in person and online, the seminar focused on the current status and opportunities for Vietnam’s nuclear power programme, human resources development, global trends in small modular reactors (SMRs), experience in ensuring safety and extending the operational life of nuclear power plants, and ways to mobilise Vietnamese experts abroad to contribute to the programme. The strong performance followed a series of measures to optimise port capacity and improve the competitiveness of the city’s seaport system, with a focus on maximising the efficiency of the Lach Huyen international gateway port as new berths came into operation. Vietnam’s rice export value for the full year is forecast at around $3.94 billion, about 4% lower than in 2025. While work has progressed, several projects still face delays in site clearance and shortages of construction materials. Some projects due to be completed in 2026 also have a substantial volume of work remaining. The visit opened initial channels for cooperation between Phu Tho and Belgian partners, with the province hoping to translate these contacts into practical projects in high-tech agriculture, culture, heritage tourism and investment. Products made by Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives, including those certified under the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) programme, are emerging as popular online offerings. Through the German–Vietnam Hub, Leipzig plans to build a concentrated business advisory system to facilitate economic cooperation, investment, and knowledge transfer between the two countries. The city also aims to reinforce its position as a venue for promoting cultural exchange and dialogue with Vietnam. As countries tighten rules on crypto assets and investors increasingly favor assets with clear legal backing, Vietnam’s approach is opening a new funding channel while strengthening investor protection. From August 15 to September 15, 2026, Sun PhuQuoc Airways passengers flying from Hanoi or Hai Phong to Ho Chi Minh City who purchase the Van Son Peak – Hang Pagoda Cable Car Combo at Sun World Ba Den Mountain will receive an exclusive promotional package valued at 600,000 VND. The gift includes a Silver WOW Pass and a Van Son Buffet ticket, each valued at 300,000 VND. The Argentine digital newspaper Infobae published an article titled “Mercosur and Vietnam began negotiations with a view to a trade agreement,” emphasising that the negotiating delegations from both sides held their first in-person meeting in Buenos Aires with the objective of advancing toward a tariff preference agreement. The strategic partnership signing ceremony took place as part of the Kreatorverse Summit 2026, held at Sun Signature Gallery, Phu Quoc’s premier convention venue, welcoming 150 international KOLs and influencers. An annual gathering of Klook’s global community of leading content creators, this year’s summit places Vietnam in the spotlight, with Da Nang and Phu Quoc selected as two strategic destinations for the program. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.