On January 26, the Vietnamese delegation visited and held working meetings with the Nanhai District Machinery Equipment Industry Association, Foshan City, and jointly organized the “China–Vietnam Industrial Mechanical Equipment Industry Exchange and Networking Conference.” The conference attracted the participation of more than 100 representatives from member enterprises of the Nanhai District Machinery Equipment Industry Association.

At the conference, Mr. Lê Hoài Quốc—Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Automation Association, Chairman of the Vietnam Robotics Association, and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Automation Association—together with participating Chinese enterprises, conducted a comprehensive analysis of the current situation and development trends of Vietnam’s mechanical equipment, automation equipment, and industrial robotics markets. Mr. Le Hoai Quoc also introduced industry policies, market demand, and potential cooperation opportunities, thereby providing important reference information for Chinese enterprises seeking to enter and expand their operations in the Vietnamese market. 

Ms. Nguyễn Diệp Khánh Trân—Project Director of the VINAMAC EXPO Exhibition—presented pathways for market entry and partner identification in Vietnam. She emphasized the importance of initial market surveys, participation in specialized industry exhibitions, and connections through appropriate trade promotion channels, with the aim of supporting enterprises in building effective and sustainable partnerships in the Vietnamese market.

During the interactive session titled “Addressing Practical Issues in Developing the Vietnamese Industrial Mechanical Market,” discussions were lively and highly productive. Ms. Lê Thị Hồng Loan—Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Automation Association and Head of the Southern Office of the Vietnam Association of Mechanical Industry—together with attending delegates, focused on in-depth exchanges and clarifications of key issues of concern to enterprises. These included compliance with trade policies, market access standards, development of local distribution channels, and supply chain coordination.

The insights and practical experience shared during the discussion session helped enterprises address obstacles in entering and expanding within the Vietnamese market, while also proposing practical solutions for the process of “expanding into the Vietnamese market.”

Within the framework of the working visit, the Vietnamese delegation reached an initial consensus with the Nanhai District Machinery Equipment Industry Association (Foshan) on future cooperation directions. Accordingly, both sides plan to leverage the resources of the China–Vietnam associations to study and implement cooperation models such as establishing liaison offices and building technical service teams, thereby creating an accurate and efficient connection platform for exchanges and cooperation between Vietnamese enterprises with demand for mechanical equipment and member enterprises of Foshan’s mechanical industry. 

On January 27, the Vietnam–Shunde (Foshan) Automation Machinery and Industrial Robotics Industry Exchange Conference was held at the Hichuang Robot Town Industrial Park – Han’s Robot. The program was jointly organized by the Shunde District Trade Promotion Office, the Shunde District Mechanical Equipment Manufacturing Industry Association, and the Shunde District Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Association.

The event attracted the active participation of a large number of representatives from automation machinery and industrial robotics enterprises in Shunde. It featured many in-depth exchange activities and direct interactions with the Vietnamese delegation, thereby promoting substantive connections and cooperation between enterprises from both sides.

At the conference, Mr. Lê Hoài Quốc—the Head of the Vietnamese delegation—based on the latest developments in Vietnam’s manufacturing sector, presented in detail the urgent demand for automation equipment and industrial robots in key fields such as electronics manufacturing, automotive components, food processing, warehousing and logistics, as well as metal welding and cutting. At the same time, he objectively analyzed the challenges that Chinese enterprises may encounter when entering the Vietnamese market, including meeting technical standards, building localized services, and addressing cultural differences, and provided specific, forward-looking recommendations.

In addition, Ms. Nguyễn Diệp Khánh Trân focused her presentation on the topic “Solutions to Support Mechanical Equipment and Automation Enterprises in Expanding into the Vietnamese Market.” She shared practical information on Vietnam’s business culture, partner selection criteria, market promotion channels, and policies supporting participation in exhibitions, thereby helping enterprises develop effective and sustainable market entry strategies.

On January 28, the Vietnamese delegation, in coordination with the Foshan Automation Industry Association, organized a thematic seminar titled “Exploring the Vietnamese Market – Intelligent Manufacturing Going Global,” with the participation of a large number of member enterprises from both sides.

At the seminar, Mr. Lê Hoài Quốc—Head of the Vietnamese delegation—delivered an in-depth presentation and analysis on the development of Vietnam’s industrial market, covering advantages in geographic location, the structure and categories of imported goods, market development data, and actual market demand. In particular, he shared key information on real procurement demand for industrial robots in core sectors such as industrial equipment and mechanical assembly, providing valuable data and insights for the Chinese enterprises attending the seminar.

Ms. Nguyễn Diệp Khánh Trân—Project Director of the Vietnam International Machinery, Equipment, Technology, and Industrial Products Exhibition (VINAMAC EXPO)—shared practical cases illustrating how Chinese industrial enterprises can increase orders in Vietnam within a short period through the model of “exhibitions combined with local agents.”

In addition, she provided a practical toolkit for the Vietnamese market, including Vietnam’s import tariff schedules, relevant policy information, comparative tables of support policies in key regions, and representative supply–demand matchmaking results. These materials offered enterprises a stronger practical foundation for entering and developing the Vietnamese market.

Alongside direct exchange activities, the Vietnamese delegation and the Foshan Automation Industry Association agreed to establish a China–Vietnam Member Coordination and Exchange Group, with the objectives of:

Building a regular, mechanism-based exchange platform to facilitate timely sharing of information on policies, industry developments, and market trends;

Supporting accurate matchmaking and substantive cooperation between member organizations of both sides in trade, investment, technology, and human resources;

Consolidating common needs and feedback in order to jointly promote the resolution of issues arising in the course of cross-border cooperation.

During the program, the Vietnamese delegation also conducted field surveys and site visits to several factories and manufacturing enterprises in Foshan City, gaining insights into advanced production technologies and modern factory models, while seeking high-quality product and solution suppliers to meet the needs of Vietnamese member enterprises as well as purchasers and partners of VINAMAC EXPO.

Vietnamese delegation site visit to Weili Automation Factory (Foshan)

— Vietnamese delegation site visit to Kaili Robot Factory (Foshan)

—Vietnamese delegation site visit to Changruihong Hydraulic Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. (Foshan)

Results and Cooperation Outlook

Through a series of working sessions, exchanges, and on-site surveys with industry associations and local enterprises, the Vietnamese delegation for the mechanical engineering, automation, and robotics industries significantly promoted exchanges and cooperation between Vietnam and China in the fields of mechanical engineering, automation, and industrial robotics.

The delegation provided in-depth analyses and first-hand updates on policy trends in Vietnam’s manufacturing sector, market demand, core procurement standards, as well as market entry and promotion approaches. These contributions offered clear and practical guidance for Foshan enterprises seeking to effectively develop the Vietnamese market.

During the working visit, the Vietnamese delegation also observed that some Chinese enterprises still view the Vietnamese market through the lens of 6–7 years ago, believing that Vietnam mainly relies on abundant, low-cost labor and that demand for industrial technology equipment—especially automation and robotics—is still at an early stage.

However, according to customs statistics, Vietnam was China’s largest export market for industrial robots in the first half of 2025, with export value reaching USD 86.35 million. The continuously rising wave of foreign direct investment (FDI) is driving rapid growth in Vietnam’s manufacturing sector, thereby setting new requirements for industrial equipment suppliers. Enterprises need to shift from a model of merely “selling equipment” to “providing productivity-enhancing solutions,” while adjusting products and marketing strategies to match the specific needs of the Vietnamese market. Strengthening localized services and industry-specific solutions is essential for securing a strong position in this fast-growing market.

Therefore, conducting on-the-ground market surveys and gaining a direct understanding of the Vietnamese market is regarded as a necessary and decisive step for Chinese enterprises.

Looking ahead, both Vietnam and China will continue to leverage association platforms and specialized industry exhibitions to regularly organize exchange programs and mutual visits, with the aim of building a long-term, efficient, and in-depth cooperation mechanism. Representatives of the Vietnam Automation Association, Vietnam Robotics Association, Vietnam Association of Mechanical Industry, Ho Chi Minh City Automation Association, and the Organizing Committee of VINAMAC EXPO affirmed their commitment to actively supporting Foshan (Guangdong) enterprises in identifying and connecting with suitable partners in the Vietnamese market.

Every year, Vietnamese industry associations organize Member Exchange and Cooperation Days in May in Hanoi and in November in Ho Chi Minh City, creating opportunities for Chinese enterprises to directly meet and work with Vietnamese member companies.

Confirmed Event Schedule for 2026:

The 23rd Vietnam International Exhibition on Machinery, Equipment, Technology and Industrial Products (VINAMAC HN 2026) – A key project of Guangdong Province

Time: May 14–16, 2026

Venue: Friendship Cultural Palace, Hanoi

The 24th Vietnam International Exhibition on Machinery, Equipment, Technology and Industrial Products in Ho Chi Minh City (VINAMAC HCMC 2026)

– A key export promotion project of multiple provinces, including Henan

Time: November 25–27, 2026

Venue: Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City

The Organizing Committee cordially invites Chinese enterprises interested in expanding into the Vietnamese market to participate in the exhibitions, site visits, market surveys, and exchange activities. The Vietnamese side commits to providing maximum support and facilitation to help Chinese enterprises access the Vietnamese market in an effective and sustainable manner.

Within the framework of the working visit, the Vietnamese industrial machinery, automation, and robotics delegation—comprising Vietnamese enterprises carrying concrete procurement needs and specific orders—worked in Foshan City, China. Through direct matchmaking activities, several procurement needs have preliminarily identified potential Chinese partners for cooperation, as follows:

Han–My–Viet Company (Vietnam): Demand for warehouse transport robots and robotic equipment for river waste cleaning.

Yi One-Member Limited Liability Company (Vietnam): Demand for cooperation in OEM design and manufacturing of automated factory production lines.

756 Limited Liability Company (Vietnam): Demand for large-scale procurement of optical reflectance measurement equipment.

On this occasion, the Organizing Committee would like to sincerely acknowledge and thank the support and cooperation of the following partner organizations (listed in no particular order):

Vietnam Automation Association

Vietnam Robotics Association

Vietnam Association of Mechanical Industry 

Ho Chi Minh City Automation Association

VINAMAC EXPO Organizing Committee:

Vietnam Advertisement & Fair Exhibition Joint Stock Company (VIETFAIR)

Nanhai District Machinery Equipment Industry Association, Foshan City

Shunde District Trade Promotion Office, Foshan City

Shunde District Mechanical Enterprises Association, Foshan City

Shunde District Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Association, Foshan City

Foshan Automation Industry Association

Yihai Chuan Technology Co., Ltd., Foshan City

Guangxi Boyue Exhibition Co., Ltd