Ho Chi Minh City digitalises trade promotion by Expo Platform

The Centre for Technical Support and Sustainable Development under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, in coordination with Arobid Technology Joint Stock Company, has officially launched the Expo Platform at hochiminhexport.arobid.com.

The launch marked a concrete step in applying technology to enhance the effectiveness of the annual Ho Chi Minh City Export Products Fair, while also kicking off a series of 12 Ho Chi Minh City Export Digital Trade Expo events for the 2026–2027 period.

Integrated with a global B2B e-commerce system, the Expo Platform operates on data and artificial intelligence (AI). It enables businesses to proactively digitalise product information, establish a digital presence and reach potential buyers before the physical event takes place.

According to Le Van Danh, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, strengthening trade promotion and business connectivity and supporting enterprises in accessing markets are particularly important in the current context. Ho Chi Minh City Export 2026 aims to provide a platform for showcasing products and connecting local businesses with international importers, buyers and distribution networks, thereby supporting market expansion, enhancing product value, building brands and improving competitiveness.

Ho Chi Minh City Export 2026 is expected to feature around 750 booths, focusing on the city’s key sectors, including textiles and garments, leather and footwear, food and foodstuffs, agricultural products, halal food, wooden products, handicrafts, household appliances, metal products and hand tools, as well as export support services such as logistics, inspection, insurance, banking and e-commerce.

During the exhibition, participating organisations and businesses will be able to showcase products, livestream, deliver pitches and conduct online business matching. After the event, business data and cooperation opportunities will continue to be stored and processed, ensuring continuity beyond the limited duration of a traditional trade fair.

A key feature of the Expo Platform is its integrated AI technology, which can analyse market demand to automatically search for, recommend and match businesses with suitable domestic and international partners. However, the system serves only as an analytical and recommendation tool, with final transaction decisions remaining with the participating parties.

The series of 12 digital trade exhibitions in 2026–2027 will be organised according to specific product categories, markets and themes. The combination of in-person trade fairs and digital infrastructure creates a continuous series of activities spanning the pre-event, event, and post-event phases, thereby addressing cost issues and overcoming the time and geographical constraints associated with traditional trade fairs.

The technological infrastructure is dedicated specifically to exhibition activities and is not intended to replace the broader trade promotion functions of specialised State management agencies in the city.

Commenting on the role of technology, Tran Van Chin, Chairman of Arobid, said the application of data and AI would help optimise the search for buyers, reduce trade promotion costs and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses. The platform has been designed to make it easier for enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, to participate in the digital transformation process without being left behind.