(Bangkok, August 17, 2023) - Central Group, Central Retail Vietnam, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam co-organized "Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2023" This is the sixth time Vietnamese Week in Thailand has continued to be organized, with a great conference and exhibition of Vietnamese products in Thailand. "Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2023" was officially launched on August 16th under the theme Magical Taste of Vietnam and will run until August 20th, 2023, at 1st -2nd Floor Eden Zone, centralwOrld Thailand.
Distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting included Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Mr. Keerati Rushchano - Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Commerce, Mr. Do Thang Hai - Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Huynh Chi Nguyen - Vice Chairman of Bac Lieu Provincial People's Committee, Leaders from Mekong Delta Provinces and Ho Chi Minh City together with members of the Central Group, led by Dr. Prasarn Trairatvorakul - Chairman of Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited (CRC), Mr. Prin Chirathivat – Deputy Group CEO of Central Group, Ms. Jariya Chirathivat - Executive Vice President Business Development Central Group and Mr. Olivier Langlet - Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Vietnam.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Do Thang Hai, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, expressed, "In recent years, the Vietnamese Government has facilitated direct exports to distribution systems in countries, including Thailand. Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2023 is a significant annual event that has been held since 2016. It has positively impacted the growth of import and export turnover between the two countries by connecting hundreds of small and medium enterprises to promote local products to the Thai market."
Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce said "Thailand and Vietnam are close neighbors of ASEAN countries and have a strong relationship By setting a target value of trade between each other in 2025 at least 25,000 million USD or 8.75 hundred billion baht which expanding from 2022 at a value of 7.39 hundred billion baht (21,196.66 million USD).
Thailand is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in the ASEAN region. While Vietnam is Thailand's fifth most important trading partner and the second largest in the ASEAN region. Organizing Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2023 is a good opportunity to strengthen the relationship in trade, investment, and tourism between the two countries."
Ms. Jariya Chirathivat, Executive Vice President - Business Development at Central Group, commented that "The annual Vietnamese Week in Thailand presented by Central Group and Central Retail Vietnam holds a particular significance in opening Vietnamese market in Thailand. Having the real owners and entrepreneurs Import renowned goods from Vietnam to showcase to Thai consumers can increase a chance for business matching. Central Retail Vietnam emphasizes on driving business for society continuously, committed to creating jobs and income for the Vietnamese sustainably. We support local products from communities, SMEs, One Commune One Product (OCOP) and Local Sourcing program which was initiated in 2017. Having these products placed in Central Retail Vietnam branches has helped over 5,500 farmers so far. "
Mr. Olivier Langlet, Chief Executive Officer of Central Retail Vietnam, remarked, "The Vietnamese Week in Thailand holds a particular significance for us. This event not only celebrates and promotes culture and tourism but also showcases noteworthy products from the Mekong Delta provinces and Ho Chi Minh City. Leveraging more than a decade of experience operating in Vietnam, we have gained valuable insights into the country's strengths and immense potential. This year's theme is strategically focused on promoting products from the Mekong Delta region, which boasts abundant natural resources and top-tier export processing capabilities, and Ho Chi Minh City, known as the economic engine of the country. Our confidence in this year's event stems from the belief that it will create optimal conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to successfully export to Thailand and serve as a gateway to the international market."
To enhance export opportunities further, the Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2023 (VNW 2023) introduces several new features compared to previous years:
- VNW 2023 boasts a record number of participants, with 100 companies showcasing their exceptional products from Vietnam.
- For the first time, VNW 2023 showcases Vietnam's unique tea ceremony culture, along with performances of ethnic traditional music and calligraphy paintings by renowned artists.
- The exhibition is divided into four main zones, including:
- Mekong Delta: featuring famous specialties of the provinces of Long An, Ben Tre, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu, Tra Vinh, Dong Thap.
- Ho Chi Minh City: featuring infamous products of specialty coffee, cashew nuts, macadamia nuts, bird's nest, ready-made bird's nest, herbal extract and handicrafts, household appliances, etc.
- OCOP products: that are carefully curated from multiple provinces in Vietnam. Suggested by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Development, these unique offerings include Lacquer painting products, Silk products, Decorative products made from sedge, rattan, and bamboo, and Handmade jewelry product.
- Food service area: serves traditional Southern Vietnamese dishes, including Hu Tieu My Tho, Grilled Beef Noodles, Stir-Fried Meat Noodles, and Snakehead Fish congee. These dishes are thoughtfully prepared by our skilled chefs from GO! Hypermarket from Vietnam.
As part of the Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam collaborates with Central Retail Vietnam to hold a business-matching conference, connecting Vietnamese businesses with the Commercial team from Central Group in Thailand through its diverse distribution channels, including Food: Central Food Hall, Tops Super Store, Tops Market, Tops Daily, and mini go!; F&B: CRG; Mall: CPN; Hotel & Resort: CHR; Homeline and Hardline: B2S, Office Mate, Thai Watsadu. Central Group and Central Retail stands firmly behind the notion of bilateral trade between Vietnam and Thailand, recognizing its pivotal role as the driving force behind economic development in Asia. We take great satisfaction in our ability to consistently facilitate sustainable commercial exchanges, and continuously ensure the availability of top-notch products from both nations to cater to diversified needs of consumers of Vietnam and Thailand.
Meet the Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2023 between August 16th and 20th, 2023 at 1st -2nd Floor Eden Zone, centralwOrld Thailand.