With the theme "Sharing development opportunities, win-win cooperation," the fair is expected to serve not only as a venue for showcasing products but also as a catalyst for new cooperation models.
Speaking at the conference, Ta Manh Cuong, Director of the Trade and Investment Promotion Support Centre under the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency, Ministry of Industry and Trade, highlighted the cultural and geographical similarities shared by Viet Nam and China, as well as their immense potential for economic cooperation. He noted that as economic relations between the two nations develop, the border region plays an increasingly vital role in boosting trade, connecting markets, developing logistics, and expanding supply chains.
From a trade promotion perspective, he described the 2026 Viet Nam-China (Honghe) Border Economic, Trade, and Tourism Fair as a practical activity that creates an effective channel for promoting trade and investment.
Through this conference and the upcoming fair, Cuong hopes that Vietnamese enterprises will gain deeper insight into consumer demand in the Chinese market, thereby enhancing their ability to participate effectively in value chains. The event also offers businesses an opportunity to proactively seek partners, expand markets, and transition from simple trading activities towards more substantive forms of cooperation.
At the conference, Hetao, Head of Commerce Bureau of Honghe Prefecture (Yunnan Province, China), highlighted notable results in trade cooperation between Honghe and Viet Nam. According to Hetao, trade revenue between Honghe and Viet Nam reached 13.5 billion RMB, accounting for over 60% of Yunnan Province's total trade with Viet Nam. These figures demonstrate the vitality of cross-border trade and highlight the significant opportunities for businesses on both sides to further leverage their strengths and complementary demands.
The 2026 fair is scheduled to take place from November 18 to 23 in Hekou and Jinping, featuring an estimated 500 to 550 standard booths across eight thematic exhibition zones focused on sectors such as agriculture, industry, the low-altitude economy, and human resources.
A key emphasis was placed on accelerating the application of technology in border gate operations and logistics. Hetao noted that the smart border gate model in Hekou has reduced processing times for cargo vehicles to just 10 minutes. Concurrently, a "door-to-door container transport" model is being promoted to cut logistics costs by 20%. These improvements are expected to facilitate smoother cargo circulation and enhance the efficiency of cross-border trade connectivity.
In addition to infrastructure and logistics solutions, the Chinese side proposed new cooperation models, including the "7+8" mechanism” — connecting seven localities in Yunnan with eight in Viet Nam — and the promotion of a cross-border production model known as "One enterprise, two countries, two factories."
To boost the participation of Vietnamese enterprises, the Chinese side has allocated approximately 200 booths for them at the fair.
Lam Tuan Khanh, Deputy Head of the Lao Cai Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Centre, stated that the locality has sent invitations to 34 provinces and cities across Viet Nam to encourage business participation. Lao Cai will also coordinate support for enterprises throughout the participation process; specifically, the provincial budget will cover 100% of the fees and charges related to vehicles, personnel, and goods passing through the border gate for the fair.
The conference was an opportunity for businesses from both countries to proactively seek partners, expand markets, and transition from simple trading activities into deeper forms of cooperation.
The 2026 Viet Nam-China (Honghe) Border Economic, Trade, and Tourism Fair is expected to become a vital link connecting enterprises and localities from both nations.
