(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
International B2B at Vietfish 2026: Connecting Global Buyers with Vietnamese Seafood Businesses
The program was organized by VASEP in collaboration with the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO), with the aim of strengthening meaningful connections between Vietnam’s seafood supply base and international buyers.
The Hosted Buyer Program is one of the key new highlights of Vietfish 2026, designed for international buyers selected and confirmed by the organizers. On August 19, after attending the opening ceremony and touring the exhibition halls, international buyers joined the specialized seminar and direct business meetings at SECC.
Vietnam – A Strategic Seafood Sourcing Destination
At the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” participants received updates on Vietnam’s seafood industry, supply capacity, key product categories and increasingly important requirements in international sourcing.
In the opening remarks, VASEP representatives emphasized Vietfish 2026’s role as a platform connecting Vietnamese businesses with international buyers—not only through product promotion, but also by building trust, supply chain transparency and long-term partnerships.
The program also featured a presentation by SIPPO on connecting international buyers with Vietnam’s seafood industry, focusing on trust-building, transparency and sustainable cooperation. These factors are becoming increasingly important as international buyers look beyond price and place greater emphasis on standards compliance, traceability and risk management throughout the supply chain.
Pangasius, Shrimp and Compliance Requirements in Vietnam Sourcing
The seminar also highlighted Vietnam’s key seafood sectors. Representatives from Vinh Hoan Corporation shared insights into Vietnamese pangasius, focusing on traceability, responsibility and reliability throughout the supply chain. Pangasius remains an important export product for Vietnam, while the industry continues to innovate to meet increasingly stringent requirements in international markets.
In the shrimp sector, representatives from Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company discussed how Vietnamese shrimp is evolving amid intensifying global competition. The presentation highlighted Vietnam’s position across different product segments, particularly its processing capabilities, value-added products and ability to meet the diverse requirements of retail, foodservice and private-label customers.
Beyond products, regulatory compliance and risk management were also identified as key priorities. Representatives from Tan Phat Canning Joint Stock Company shared key considerations for buyers sourcing from Vietnam, emphasizing the importance of documentation, standards, market regulations and companies’ risk-control capabilities.
1-to-1 B2B Meetings by Product Category
Following the seminar and discussions, the program moved into 1-to-1 B2B business meetings. Meetings were organized by product categories, including shrimp, pangasius, tuna and other seafood products, with coordination support from VASEP and SIPPO.
Through direct meetings, Vietnamese businesses had the opportunity to present their production capabilities, product portfolios, quality standards, traceability systems, certifications and cooperation plans. For international buyers, the program provided an efficient way to identify potential partners and directly connect with suppliers that match their sourcing requirements.
The B2B sessions also enabled both sides to discuss specific product requirements, specifications, volumes, target markets, logistics, sustainability standards and potential post-exhibition cooperation. This is a key distinction of the Hosted Buyer Program: rather than simply visiting exhibition booths, buyers and suppliers engage in structured meetings based on specific needs, with potential for follow-up after the event.
Extending Connections from the Exhibition to Production Areas
According to the official schedule, the Hosted Buyer Program extends beyond SECC during the exhibition and includes technical visits to businesses and production areas. The program is scheduled to include visits to Van Duc Tien Giang Seafood Export Company, which specializes in value-added products, and Aquatex Bentre’s pangasius farming area in the following days.
Connecting international buyers with production sites gives them first-hand insights into Vietnam’s production capacity, raw material sources, quality control systems and supply chains. This practical approach helps strengthen trust with international partners while reinforcing Vietnam’s position as a reliable, competitive and increasingly sustainable seafood sourcing destination.
By combining specialized seminars, 1-to-1 meetings, exhibition visits and field visits, the Hosted Buyer Program at Vietfish 2026 is helping raise the quality of trade promotion activities at the exhibition. The program not only supports Vietnamese businesses in reaching international buyers but also creates opportunities to build long-term partnerships, expand markets and strengthen the position of Vietnamese seafood in global supply chains.
