The Embassy of Finland in Vietnam is pleased to invite Finnish food and agri-food technology companies to participate in an exclusive trade mission to Vietnam, taking place from 10 to 13 November 2026.
This trade mission is specifically tailored for Finnish businesses seeking market entry, strategic partnerships, investment, or pilot opportunities in Southeast Asia.
As a leading global food producer and an increasingly sophisticated innovation hub, Vietnam actively welcomes Finnish expertise and solutions. Key sectors with high market potential include premium foods (dairy, oat products, wines & spirits, wild berries, traceable meats, salmon, and rainbow trout) and agri-food technology (automation, cold chain logistics, green foodtech, bio-packaging, and alternative proteins).
Why Vietnam
- Vietnam’s Agricultural Ambition: As a top 15 global agricultural exporter, Vietnam aims to become the "Kitchen of the World" by transitioning toward green, low-emission farming.
- Growth versus Net Zero Pressures: Following a record USD 54.4 billion in agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports in 2024, Vietnam's domestic food and beverage market is projected to reach USD 40–42 billion over 2025–2026 period. Despite its global leadership in rice, coffee, and seafood exports, the sector faces severe climate change risks and Net Zero pressures, driving a critical demand for European food technology partnerships.
- Booming Retail and Middle Class: Vietnam’s retail market hit USD 269 billion in 2025, expanding at a five-year high of 9–10%. The middle class is projected to double from 13% (2023) to 26–30% by 2026, with 89% of high-income consumers willing to pay a premium for certified organic or directly imported EU products due to high trust in strict EU food safety standards.
- European Union–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and Zero Tariffs: Supported by a network of 19 Free Trade Agreements, Vietnam's landmark EVFTA (effective August 2020) eliminates tariffs (0%) by 2026 on key EU exports, including frozen pork, dairy, alcohol, and automated or circular agricultural machinery
- Strategic Manufacturing Hub: EU firms can establish local joint ventures or processing plants to source premium raw materials and apply European technical workflows. This allows them to re-export finished products back to the EU at 0% tariffs under the rules of origin or leverage Vietnam’s extensive FTA network to expand across ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific.
- Strategic partnership relation: Vietnam and Finland upgraded their diplomatic relations to a strategic partnership in 2025. Consequently, both government-level and stakeholders are actively expanding cooperation opportunities across various fields.
Preliminary Program
This is an indicative programme
DAY 1 - Tuesday 10 November – Arrival & Market Briefing
18:00–19:30 | Vietnam Market Briefing & Delegation Preparation (in addition to an online briefing 3 weeks in advance)
- Introduction to the Vietnamese food & foodtech market
- Market characteristics, business culture and practical tips
- Review of delegation companies and their individual objectives
- Preparation for Foodexpo and company meetings
DAY 2 - Wednesday 11 November – Vietnam Foodexpo 2026
09:00–17:00 | Full Day at Vietnam Foodexpo, SECC
- Joint orientation tour
- Selected exhibitor meetings
- Distributor/importer introductions
- Foodtech / production technology companies
- Individual meeting slots based on participating Finnish companies
- Short delegation wrap-up at the end of the day
DAY 3 - Thursday 12 November – Market Entry & Distribution
09:00–10:30 | DKSH Vietnam – How Food & FMCG Brands Enter and Scale in Vietnam
- How the Vietnamese food/FMCG distribution system works
- Importer vs. distributor vs. local sales organisation
- Modern trade, traditional trade, convenience and foodservice
- Regulatory and product registration requirements
- What international brands typically underestimate when entering Vietnam
- What makes a foreign food brand interesting for a Vietnamese distributor
11:00–12:00 | Retail Market Visit
Guided retail safari
- imported vs. local products
- pricing
- packaging
- shelf positioning
- premium segment
- plant-based / healthy / functional food
- sauces, snacks, beverages jne.
14:30–16:00 | VSK Group – Local Food Manufacturing
- Building and scaling a Vietnamese food company
- Consumer trends and changing demand
- Local manufacturing economics
- Opportunities for partnerships with European companies
- What Vietnamese food companies look for from international technology/product partners
18.00-20.00 Buffet Networking Reception at Novotel Living Saigon South
DAY 4 - Friday 13 November – Manufacturing, Foodtech & Future Opportunities
09:00–11:00 | Manufacturing Site Visit FineToday OR a Food and beverage factory like Nam Viet Group
- Why manufacture in Vietnam?
- Building supply chains locally
- Quality control and international standards
- Localisation of products for Vietnamese consumers
- Factory operations and workforce
- Vietnam as a manufacturing hub for ASEAN
11:30–12:30 | Food Technology / Processing / Packaging Company
- food processing equipment
- packaging technology
- cold chain
- automation
- ingredient technology
16:00–16:30 | Delegation Wrap-up
- key learnings
- identified opportunities
- contacts worth following up
- concrete next steps after Vietnam
Who Should Join
This trade mission is best suited for decision‑makers from Finnish companies, including:
- CEOs, Founders, and Managing Directors
- Heads of Business Development, Commercialization, or International Expansion
- Food and FoodTech startups and scale-ups looking to expand into Southeast Asia
- Established companies offering strategic technologies for the food and agri-food industries
- Investors and experts seeking local joint ventures, manufacturing hubs, or green technology transfer
Participation fee
All companies (SMEs and large companies): EUR 750 + VAT per company
Will be invoiced before the visit.
Each participant covers own travel costs.
Registration
Please register under the following link at the latest on 17 September 2026:
Registration link
Please note: the visit will take place in case min. 5 companies register.
We look forward to welcoming you to this unique opportunity to explore one of Asia’s most dynamic and forward‑looking food innovation markets.
