'I want to attend a trade show in Vietnam, but I don't know which one to choose': many people must be puzzling over this. Vietnam hosts several agriculture- and food-related trade shows throughout the year, and it is hard to judge which one fits your business.
This article lists the major Vietnamese agricultural trade shows and fairs scheduled for 2026 and explains each event's characteristics, the benefits of attending, and points for making business meetings succeed.
Why Vietnam's agricultural trade-show market is drawing attention
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's largest agricultural exporters. Its 2024 agriculture, forestry, Seafood exports export value exceeded about US$60 billion, showing a strong presence in the world market across diverse items such as coffee, rice, shrimp, and vegetables.
Its relationship with Japan is also deep: Vietnam consistently ranks among the top five countries in Japan's imports of vegetables and fruit. Local trade shows are the most efficient place for negotiating directly with suppliers, finding new sourcing partners, and grasping market trends.
There are limits to gathering information online. At a trade show, you can see the real goods, touch them, and talk to the people in charge. There is hardly any other opportunity where all three come together.
A calendar of major 2026 agricultural trade shows
The major 2026 trade shows are summarized below. Check the dates, venues, and target fields, and use this as a reference when planning your schedule.
| Trade show name | Dates (scheduled) | Host city | Main target fields |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Expo | April | Hanoi | Agriculture, food, consumer goods, machinery |
| Agri Vietnam | May | Hanoi | Agricultural technology, farm machinery, fertilizer, seeds |
| Food & Hotel Vietnam | June | Ho Chi Minh City | Food, beverages, hospitality |
| Vietfish | July | Ho Chi Minh City | Seafood and processing technology |
| Vietnam Foodexpo | November | Ho Chi Minh City | Food processing, import/export, packaging |
Each trade show is held at roughly the same time each year, but be sure to confirm the latest information on the official 2026 dates on the organizer's site.
Vietnam Expo: the top pick if you choose on overall strength
Vietnam Expo is one of Vietnam's largest international trade fairs, held in Hanoi every April. Its hallmark is that a wide range of fields, from industrial products and consumer goods to agricultural products and food, gather in one place.
Every year more than 500 companies exhibit. It is not unusual for visitors to exceed 20,000 over the three days. Beyond agriculture and food, there are also many exhibits of packaging machinery and logistics services, making it well suited to those who want an overview of the whole supply chain.
Points for attending
- Registering to attend online in advance makes entry smooth
- The agriculture and food zones are often concentrated in a separate hall, so getting a map in advance is efficient
- In some years the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) sets up a Japan Pavilion, so it is worth checking before you attend
Agri Vietnam: a specialized show focused on agricultural technology
Agri Vietnam is a trade show specializing in farm machinery, inputs, and technology. Pesticide, fertilizer, irrigation-system, and seed-and-seedling companies are concentrated here, making it an essential event for anyone in an upstream agriculture business.
Many agricultural-technology companies from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and elsewhere also exhibit, so you can compare the latest agricultural technology from across Asia in one place. Local Vietnamese Agritech startups are also on the rise, and it is drawing growing attention as a place to find new business partners.
Advice for buyers of farm machinery and inputs
If you are considering buying or sourcing farm machinery locally, a big advantage is being able to get quotes from several manufacturers during the show. Arranging interpreting services in advance helps business talks go smoothly.
Food & Hotel Vietnam: especially valuable for food importers
Food & Hotel Vietnam is a trade show specializing in food, beverages, and hospitality, held in Ho Chi Minh City around June each year. As a place to see Vietnamese processed foods, beverages, and processed agricultural products all together, it is highly rated by Japanese food importers.
About 30 to 40% of exhibitors are overseas companies, so you can grasp the Vietnamese food market from a global perspective. Its sampling and tasting corners are extensive, and being able to confirm quality firsthand while holding business talks is what sets it apart from other shows.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| The most common exhibit categories | Processed foods, beverages, sauces, dried goods |
| Share of buyers among visitors | About 40% of all visitors |
| Business-matching support | A matching program is available (advance registration required) |
Vietfish: a must-visit if you are thinking about sourcing seafood
Vietnam is a major exporter of seafood such as shrimp, pangasius, and cod. Vietfish is the largest specialized trade show for Vietnam's seafood industry, held in Ho Chi Minh City every July.
With Vietnam ranking first in shrimp exports to Japan (2024 figures) as a backdrop, many buyers from Japanese food trading companies, supermarkets, and restaurant chains attend. Exhibits in processing technology, freezing equipment, and quality control are also extensive, so it can be used not only for sourcing but as a place to check quality.
Vietnam Foodexpo: a large year-end business event
Held in Ho Chi Minh City in November, Vietnam Foodexpo is one of the largest specialized food shows of the year. It is organized by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) and offers a business-meeting program linked to the government's export-support measures.
Because many export-oriented local processed-food manufacturers gather, it is especially suited to those looking for sources of OEM and private-brand products. Finishing negotiations with suppliers in November for the year-end sales season makes it easier to plan the next year's import schedule.
Three points for making your trade-show visit a success
1. Always make appointments in advance
On the day, the venue is crowded. At popular exhibitors in particular, the staff are often in meetings the whole time, and the time to talk at length without an appointment is limited. Make contact in advance through the show's official site or the exhibitor's website and secure a meeting slot.
2. Arrange interpreting and translation support
Even if you don't speak Vietnamese, more staff can hold business talks in English. For technical details and price negotiations, however, confirming in Vietnamese is more accurate. It is safest to arrange a trustworthy local interpreter in advance, or to use support from JETRO or a chamber of commerce.
3. Bring samples and specification sheets
When discussing imports or sourcing, preparing a document in English or Vietnamese that states the product specifications, quantities, and certification requirements you need will speed up talks dramatically. Local manufacturers find it easier to respond when there are concrete requirements, and quotes come out faster too.
Summary
For Vietnam's 2026 agriculture and food trade shows, the basic approach is to choose by objective.
- To get an overview of agriculture as a whole: Vietnam Expo
- To source agricultural technology and inputs: Agri Vietnam
- To find food and beverage suppliers: Food & Hotel Vietnam / Vietnam Foodexpo
- To source seafood: Vietfish
Trade shows are a valuable place not only for gathering information but for real business talks and building trust. If you come well prepared, they can be the spark that greatly advances your business on the ground.
VN AGRI shares the latest information on Vietnamese agriculture. We also deliver trade-show reports and information on local suppliers, so please check back regularly.
