Over 300 International Buyers “Land” at VIS 2025: A Major Opportunity for Vietnamese Enterprises

On September 4, Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 (VIS 2025) officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting over 300 buying delegations from 60 countries and territories, including leading global retail groups such as Walmart, Amazon, IKEA, H&M, Central Retail, and AEON.

The event not only enables Vietnamese products to directly access global distribution systems but also opens up strategic opportunities to elevate Vietnam’s exports, aiming for 12% export growth in 2025 — a goal the Ministry of Industry and Trade affirms is entirely achievable.

Momentum from the Wave of International Procurement

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang stated that the 12% import-export growth target for 2025 is achievable if Vietnamese enterprises can capitalize on the surge of international buyers coming to Vietnam. In 2024, exports reached USD 405 billion, up 14.3%, with 37 items exceeding USD 1 billion in value; in the first seven months of 2025, total import-export turnover reached nearly USD 515 billion, up 16.3% year-on-year.

“These results clearly reflect the strong recovery of our economy and form the foundation for confidently achieving this year’s goals,” emphasized Ms. Thang.

The simultaneous “landing” of more than 300 international buying delegations in Vietnam marks an unprecedented signal, with the presence of major global retailers such as Walmart, Amazon, IKEA, H&M, Central Retail, and AEON. Mr. Ta Hoang Linh, Director General of the Department of Foreign Market Development (MOIT), commented: “International buyers today are not only seeking competitive prices but also long-term supply capability, reliability, and transparency in value chains. This is the opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to reposition themselves in the global distribution network.”

As a leading economic hub, Ho Chi Minh City identifies VIS 2025 as a strategic opportunity to promote exports. Mr. Tran Phu Lu, Director of the Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC), said the city will continue to support enterprises in accessing global distribution systems: “When buying delegations visit factories and raw material zones directly, businesses gain more chances to establish long-term partnerships rather than merely seasonal orders.”

From the business perspective, Mr. Paul Le, Vice President of Central Retail Vietnam, affirmed that VIS 2025 is a great opportunity for Vietnamese goods to expand exports through Central Group’s distribution network in Thailand and the region.

A representative from AEON Vietnam also highlighted the importance of traceability and green standards, calling them prerequisites for Vietnamese products to penetrate the Japanese market.

Not just waiting for opportunities, many domestic enterprises have proactively prepared. Mr. Diep Nam Hai, CEO of Cholimex, shared his ambition to establish strategic partnerships to bring Vietnamese food deeper into demanding markets.

In the textile sector, Mr. Tran Van Phu, Chairman of B’Lao–Scavi Group, emphasized that Vietnam’s textile–fashion industry can transform cost advantages into brand value through sustainable cooperation agreements. According to him, VIS 2025 is an opportunity to connect responsible fashion models with global supply chains.

From “Sourcing” to Tangible Contracts

Unlike traditional trade fairs, VIS 2025 is designed as a “sourcing” model, allowing buyers to proactively search for suitable partners. Over 3,000 pre-scheduled B2B meetings and about 5,000 spontaneous business connections at exhibition booths are being conducted, helping Vietnamese enterprises meet clients with clear demand — shortening the path from connection to signed contracts.

A representative of Walmart – the world’s largest retail corporation – stated that the company is seeking partners capable of stable supply under sustainable standards. “Vietnam is emerging as an important destination in Walmart’s supply diversification strategy,” the representative affirmed. With more than 10,700 stores worldwide, even a few successful Vietnamese product categories could lead to contracts worth hundreds of millions of USD.

Not only Ho Chi Minh City, but many localities are also proactively participating. For instance, on September 6, Tay Ninh Province will welcome 150 business delegations from 24 countries for on-site visits, including major retail and distribution groups. This is considered a new approach: instead of only inviting international buyers to trade fairs in Ho Chi Minh City, local authorities are also bringing them directly to the provinces to sign cooperation agreements with enterprises and cooperatives right on-site.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the signing of agreements within the framework of VIS 2025 is completely feasible. Product categories such as processed agricultural goods, textiles – footwear, wooden furniture, food, spices, and packaging have already been scheduled for specific meetings with international buyers. Mr. Ta Hoang Linh, Director General of the Department of Foreign Market Development, expects that many contracts will be signed on-site, laying a solid foundation for long-term cooperation.

From an international consulting perspective, Mr. Nguyen Viet Long, Deputy General Director of EY Vietnam, commented that VIS 2025 is not only a trade opportunity but also a test of Vietnamese enterprises’ capabilities in meeting ESG standards, ensuring supply chain transparency, and reducing carbon emissions — key conditions for maintaining long-term contracts with multinational corporations.

A representative from H&M also affirmed that sustainability and social responsibility standards are the “mandatory passport” in the global supply chain.

Therefore, VIS 2025 is not just a venue for product showcases, but a platform where export agreements become tangible and substantial. The presence of more than 300 international buying delegations, along with proactive preparation from enterprises and local authorities, shows that Vietnam is becoming a strategic sourcing destination. With the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ho Chi Minh City authorities, the 12% export growth target in 2025 is considered achievable, opening up opportunities for Vietnamese goods to ascend to higher levels in the global value chain.

Source: Sài Gòn Giải phóng