Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Apr 25, 2013 - (ACN Newswire) - This year's edition of Food&HotelVietnam (FHV) will no doubt be its most impressive yet. Opening today at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC), the 8,880 square metre business trade show unveils an impressive gathering of exhibitors and international group pavilions, offering industry buyers from Vietnam and the surrounding regions an unparalleled platform to source, network and learn from market leaders of the international food and hospitality industry.
Magnificent display of international group pavilions
The staggering 19 group pavilions from 14 countries/regions at FHV2013 overtakes the last participation record of 15 from eight countries/regions featured at FHV2011. Group pavilions from Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, the European Union (EU), Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and Turkey are at FHV for the first time.
To mark its debut, the EU has gone all out to put together an impressive showcase. Part of the "Tastes of Europe" campaign designed to present the EU's system of geographical indications to Vietnamese producers and food professionals. A total of 20 exhibitors from all over Europe have on display a vast selection of products such as famous cheeses, succulent meats and some of the top-ranked wines and spirits.
Mr Silva Rodriguez, Special Adviser to the Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, "The participation of the European Union for the first time at FHV2013 is an important signal for the Vietnamese and European producers to promote quality in the international market. By having their typical products protected in the EU, Vietnamese producers will benefit from a high level of protection, thus facilitating the marketing of their products."
In celebration of 40 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, the Japanese pavilion organised by Oishii-Nippon Food Fair features an array of traditional Japanese food and beverage products such as the famous Sapporo Beer - the oldest beer in Japan and fresh, distinctive seafood such as memuro fish.
Packaged tea, vinegar for health, cereals, pig knuckles, tuna floss, a full range of seasonings and sauces alongside energy saving steamers and convection ovens are just some of the highlights visitors can look forward to at the three Taiwanese pavilions.
World famous for their delicious Turkish delights, the pavilion from Turkey put together by the Turkish Confectionery & Sweet Promotion Group is a colourful display of traditional sweets. Adding to the selection of native produce, Argentina has brought in crops that were harvested from many of the country's agricultural regions. Sunflower seeds, popcorn, peanuts, oranges and mandarins are just some of the flavours of Argentina visitors will get to savour.
Rounding up the magnificent international showcase is Belgium. It was only in April 2012 that Belgian pig meat was allowed to enter the Vietnamese market. On average, the country exports 760,000 tons of pig meat to more than 30 countries around the globe. The success of the Belgian pig meat producers lies in the fact that Belgian pig meat suppliers are mainly family owned companies, mostly third or even fourth generation. Their craftsmanship and long history in the meat industry allows them to tailor their product exactly according to the clients' wishes. Visitors to FHV2013 can look forward to meeting these meat masters at the Belgium group pavilion.
Returning pavilions include Australia, Germany, France, Korea, Singapore and USA. Standing out, the three pavilions from Korea organised by AT Centre (Korea Agro-Trade Centre), Jeollanamdo (a province in the southwest of South Korea) and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) collectively present the largest ever showcase of premium Korean food and drink produce and specialties at FHV2013.
"As an affluent middle class continues to blossom in Vietnam, the country's F&B and hospitality industries will continue to develop and expand. This environment is highly attractive to foreign firms who recognise the business potential Vietnam has to offer. FHV remains to be a one-of-a-kind trade show as we are the gateway for international companies to enter the local market as well as reach out to developing neighbours such as Cambodia and Myanmar. The unparalleled quality and quantity of international F&B and hospitality products available at FHV2013 also continues to attract the country's major industry buyers," says Mr Tee Boon Teong, Chief Representative, Singapore Exhibition Services's Representative Office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Record size congregation of exhibitors
434 exhibitors from 35 countries/regions is the highest number of participation the show has set to date, with the number increasing 63 per cent over the last four editions of FHV.
With many foreign companies eyeing a slice of Vietnam's promising food and hospitality market, a good proportion of the industry's top international brands will be exhibiting at FHV2013 to showcase a myriad of food and drink and hospitality equipment and supplies. Andy Mannhart, Precor, Hobart, La Marcocco, Ocean Glass and Winterhalter are just some of the leading hospitality brand names available at FHV2013, alongside a smorgasbord of food and beverage products through Thracian Wine, Specialty Ingredient Management and Vina Siam Food. The total number of international exhibitors make up 74 per cent of the total pool, a show of solid confidence in FHV, and also to the great investment opportunities and business potential the local market has to offer.
The event also gathered healthy participation from local F&B and hospitality enterprises. Some of them are Annam Finefood, New Viet Dairy, Sunshine Equipment, Minh Long, BT International and Viet Hotel Solution and many more.
Government and Industry backing
Since its first edition in 2004, FHV has quickly established itself as the premier food and hospitality trade show to serve the blossoming Vietnamese market as well as their neighbours Cambodia and Myanmar. FHV has also become integral to the continued development of the region's food and hospitality industry. The Vietnamese government and key industry organisations recognise this and therefore offer their full support edition after edition.
This year's supporters include Vietnam's Ministry of Trade and Industry; Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism; Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry; The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnam National Administration of Tourism; Vietnam Hotel Association; Ho Chi Minh Tourism Association; Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Association, and the Saigon Professional Chefs' Guild.
About Food&HotelVietnam
Food&HotelVietnam, Vietnam's premier food and hospitality sourcing and networking trade event, features at least 70 per cent of overseas exhibitors in all its editions. The event will bring industry professionals in Vietnam high quality equipment, services and solutions currently available in the global marketplace. The event is organised by Singapore Exhibition Services and co-organised by VCCI Exhibition Service Co Ltd. For more information about the events, please visit www.foodnhotelvietnam.com .
Media Contact:
Patricia Yee
PR Executive
Singapore Exhibition Services
Tel: +65 9382 7452
Email: patricia.yee@sesallworld.com