Premier biennial food and hospitality trade event brings to Vietnam unparalleled opportunities for sourcing, networking and learning

Vietnam, 1 October 2009 – Food&HotelVietnam2009 opens today to bring Vietnam a wide range of quality products and advanced solutions from the international food and hospitality marketplace.  Held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), the event offers overseas exhibitors a location to market their products locally, and Vietnamese visitors exclusive opportunities to meet with global food and hospitality players.

Vietnam’s Food and Hospitality Industry - Striving Despite Global Downturn
Although the global economy slowdown is likely to remain challenging for sometime, Vietnam sees a healthy demand for quality products, equipment and solutions as investments in its tourism and hospitality sectors continue to grow.  Local businesses, swift to adapt to the current economic climate, are looking for new approaches that enable increased productivity and reduced costs.  They also need to arm themselves with current market knowledge in order to keep pace with the changes in the marketplace and meet industry demands.

Food&HotelVietnam2009 - Shaping Vietnam’s Food and Hospitality Industry
Food&HotelVietnam plays an important role in building Vietnam’s reputation as a growing tourism destination and its potential for foreign investments.  The event offers exhibitors opportunities to expand their business, form partnerships and promote new products and services to the food and hospitality industry.

Visitors regard Food&HotelVietnam2009 as an important platform for them to network with key decision makers in the business community, learn the latest industry intelligence and gain direct access to a comprehensive range of high quality products and services available in the global marketplace.

Strong International Presence
Food&HotelVietnam2009 covers over 9,000 square metres at the SECC, featuring more than 350 exhibiting companies from 29 countries/regions.  Of these exhibitors, 25 per cent are exhibiting companies from Vietnam, 75 per cent overseas.

Nine international group pavilions are present on the exhibition floor, representing Australia, France, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the USA, and new entrants Belgium (coordinated by Flanders Investment and Trade) and Brazil (coordinated by the Brazilian Embassy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam).

Where Global and Local Suppliers Come Together
The event this year witnesses the return and debut of many global and local companies, like  Andy Mannhart, Charles Wembley, Chinatown Food, Del Monte, EuroChef, Flanders Investment & Trade, Grand Place Chocolate, Hermann Laue, Hosen, Lamb Weston, Libbey, Meat & Livestock Australia, Pasabahce, Tai Hua Sauces, Tong Garden, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, US Meat, WUSATA and many more.

Prominent exhibiting companies from Vietnam are An Nam Fine Food/ An Nam Equipment,  Good Food, Minh Long I Company, New Viet Dairy, Tan Uc Viet, Unilever, and newcomers Dan & Dan, Angst Truong Vinh, BT Corp, illy Coffee, VietSolutions and Vergnano.

FranchisingVietnam2009 – New!
FranchisingVietnam, Vietnam’s first professional franchising trade show, will make its inaugural appearance at the event.  Dedicated to food and beverage, hospitality and retail franchises, the event brings local and overseas companies a platform to interact with potential business partners and capitalise on the flourishing franchising industry in Vietnam. Key exhibiting companies are Bobby Brewers, Hands On, Q-Dees Worldwide Edusystems, Quality Kids, Sarpino’s Pizzeria, and UKK Garment.

Ms. Ting Siew Mui, Project Director of Food&HotelVietnam2009 said: “Since its launch in 2004, Food&HotelVietnam has contributed to the evolution of the local food and hospitality industry.  Participants can look forward to an even better experience this year as the event is enhanced to offer not just a premium showcase of the latest products and solutions from across the globe, but also new and exciting events designed to raise the bar of excellence and knowledge for Vietnam’s industry professionals.”

Food&HotelVietnam2009 benefits from strong support from VCCI Exhibition Service, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, the Ho Chi Minh City’s Society of Hotels and the Saigon Professional Chefs' Guild.

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Event Highlights - Innovative Programmes Dedicated To Skills Development of Vietnam’s Food & Beverage, Hospitality and Retail Professionals

Alsace Wine Seminar – New!
Presents an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to discover the origins and classification of wines from the Alsace region in France, and how the wines can be pared with a wide variety of food including Asian cuisine and seafood.
SECC Meeting Room 2, 2 October 2009, 0900hrs – 1130hrs

Australian Red Meat Industry Food Safety Standard Seminar – New!
Offers Vietnam industry professionals an insight into food safety standards of Australia’s red meat industry.  Organised by Meat and Livestock Australia, the seminar brings Master Butcher Barry Lloyd, a certified expert in the areas of domestic and export of Australia’s meat industry, to talk about topical issues connected to meat and food safety, including product handling, temperature control, storage, packaging and labeling, product knowledge, and managing profit and loss.
SECC Meeting Room 3, 3 October 2009, 0900hrs – 1200hrs

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. FranchisingVietnam2009, Vietnam’s premier franchising trade event, will be held alongside Food&HotelVietnam2009 for the first time. 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.

VCCI Editorial Contact
Lan Anh
Deputy Manager
VCCI Exhibition Service
Tel: +84 8 3932 6339
Fax: +84 8 3932 5789
Mobile: +84 903 221 863
Email: media@vietcham-expo.com

SES Editorial Contact
June Seah
Senior PR Executive
Singapore Exhibition Services
Tel: +65 6233 6635
Fax: +65 6272 2962
Mobile: +65 9852 6756
Email: js@sesallworld.com