Participation in fairs and exhibitions: More opportunities to promote Vietnamese products

In recent years, there has been a strong interest from provincial departments, industries, and localities in supporting businesses, cooperatives, and production facilities to participate in fairs and exhibitions. This support aims to help them find markets and establish connections between production and consumption of products. This activity is highly effective in promoting Vietnamese goods, especially the characteristic products of the province.

Staff at a production facility introduces grapefruit essential oil cosmetic products to visitors.

 New chance

The ripe fruit festival in Thuan An City has been held for many years and has become an annual event for businesses, cooperatives, and production facilities in Binh Duong province. The festival serves as a platform for cultural exchange, trade promotion, and product consumption, contributing to the development of consumer culture and trust in Vietnamese products. This is also a bridge for units to meet and exchange experiences, joint ventures, and associations and conduct trade and investment promotion activities. From there, it supports businesses in building and developing brands, improving their competitiveness, and promoting high-quality products and goods to people and tourists coming to Binh Duong.

Phan Thi Thuy Trang, who resides in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, visited the Thuan An ripe fruit festival. She believes that clean agricultural products should be promoted more, ensuring high-quality Vietnamese goods like those offered at the ripe fruit festival. This would enable consumers to choose and use these products with confidence and peace of mind. “When visiting the festival, I chose many types of fruits, quality sausage products. Buying directly from the manufacturer, I received very enthusiastic advice on how to use it. When I run out, I can also contact him to purchase the product more quickly," said Trang.

Co Giao Phuong's fresh sausage products (Bau Bang district) were recognized as meeting OCOP three stars in 2022. Since then, these products have continuously been selected for display, promotion, and sales at fairs inside and outside the province. Bui Thi Dan Phuong, the business’s owner, said that the products are safe and of good quality and have been praised by many consumers, but their marketing and promotion are still weak. “Since being recognized as OCOP products, every time there is a fair, we receive support from departments, branches, and localities participating in the fair." "Through each trade fair, the facility receives more orders, gains new customers, and expands our market to neighboring provinces and cities," said Phuong.

Identify OCOP products

"It is evident that businesses, cooperatives, and business households are enthusiastic about participating in fairs and exhibitions within and outside the province, because their products and services have better opportunities and are being consumed quite well, which increases their ability to reach consumers."

Customers check the barcode of HTP Green Cooperative's melon products.

A representative from Sol Retreat Farm in Hieu Liem commune, Bac Tan Uyen district, shared that they participated in the ripe fruit festival for the first time. This allowed them to showcase their eco-tourism destination and the beautiful citrus fruit gardens in Bac Tan Uyen district. This organization also introduced shampoo products, hair conditioners, and facial soap extracted 100% from grapefruit, which are very good for users. Through this festival, they listened directly to visitor feedback, improving the quality of tourism services, attracting more customers, partners, and distributors to expand market share and draw in tourists.

HTP Agricultural and Medicinal Cooperative, participating in fruit tree promotion activities for the first time, has gained insights into consumer preferences, favoring products with high sugar content and dark ripe fruit. Huynh Thanh Phong, the Director of HTP Agricultural and Medicinal Cooperative, shared that his farm is growing various types of fruits, such as grapefruit, HamiQueen melon, TL3, Huynh Long, and Baby Crimson watermelon using organic methods. The farm has achieved 3-star OCOP standards of Binh Duong province. Hence, the product entices numerous customers to give it a try. Thanks to that, the cooperative achieved sales revenue of over 600kg of various types of melons at the festival. But more importantly, this is an opportunity to promote this organization's products to many customers. He now has partners to meet and connect with for consumption. Participating in exhibitions and fairs will hopefully accelerate the spread of brand awareness and product recognition for the cooperative.

In addition to enterprises, cooperatives, and production facilities in the province, units outside the province are also given favorable conditions to promote their products. Vo Thi Hien, the owner of Co Hai, a clean pepper producing and trading business in Dak O commune, Bu Gia Map district, Binh Phuoc province, mentioned that her facility produces various lines of pepper products, crispy dried fruits, and cashew nuts. These products are grown and produced according to organic standards and have achieved a 3-star OCOP certification from Binh Phuoc province. “Many consumers trust our booth for its quality. Many customers have come back to buy products a second time to give as gifts to family and friends, which is a very good sign. In addition to the direct sales profits at the festival, we aim to reach numerous customers and expand our brand to a large number of people in Binh Duong in the near future," Hien said.

 Reported by Thanh Hong - Translated by Ngoc Huynh