Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the mega promotion “In Style, Hong Kong” is set to make its debut in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in September. Following its previous successful editions in Jakarta, Bangkok and Malaysia, this year’s campaign aims to highlight Hong Kong’s vibrant lifestyle and unique creativity, and showcase the city’s branded, design-led products and world-class professional services, and how Vietnamese companies could leverage on Hong Kong’s advantages to expand business globally.
Vietnam is Hong Kong’s largest export market among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries and sixth largest export market globally, with the city’s exports to the country amounting to $10.2 billion in 2017. Vietnam is Hong Kong’s tenth largest trading partner.
“The connection between Hong Kong and Vietnam has always been strong,” says Peter Wong, HKTDC regional director of Southeast Asia and South Asia. “The newly signed Hong Kong-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement has further boosted the momentum for bilateral collaboration and connectivity. Despite the uncertainties in the global environment, Vietnam’s economy remains resilient. ‘In Style, Hong Kong’ aims to leverage the momentum and the various growth opportunities to strengthen the economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and Vietnam. We look forward to bringing the best of Hong Kong’s services and products to Vietnam in September.”
“In Style, Hong Kong” in Ho Chi Minh City is set to include a full-day symposium on business services, a two-day trade expo and a high-level gala dinner, as well as a wide array of shopping and dining promotions in the city. The main symposium is scheduled Sept. 20 at GEM Center, highlighting Hong Kong’s advantages in various services sectors, particularly cross-border logistics and creative branding and design.
Vincent HS Lo, Chairman of HKTDC; Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); and a high-level local official are set to officiate at the opening ceremony.
The main symposium themed “Hong Kong- Vietnam: Partnering for Prosperity,” is set to be chaired by HKTDC Director of Research Nicholas Kwan, who will be joined by other business leaders from Hong Kong, including Jonathan Choi, chairman of Sunwah Group; John Cheh, vice chairman and CEO of Esquel Group, as well as Wallace Lam, managing director, co-head of Global Banking, HSBC Hong Kong. The speakers plan to share practical insights on the opportunities brought by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and discuss how both countries could collaborate to stay competitive and expand their global businesses together.
As e-commerce in Asia has experienced explosive growth over the years, the retail industry is facing vast opportunities and challenges at the same time, notably in delivery channels and cashless trading. A thematic session on “Navigating the Future of Retail” is set to highlight the growing trend of e-tailing, cross-border transactions and online payments, as well as their impacts on the supply-chain management and logistics.
Anthony Lau, chairman of Pacific Air (Hong Kong) Limited; Craig Price, senior vice president, international projects – HKT Global Development Services, PCCW Global Limited, as well as the moderator Cris D. Tran, director, QRC Hub, plan to share their experience and insights on how Vietnamese e-tailers can leverage Hong Kong’s edge in logistics services to expand their online businesses in other markets.
The steady growth of Asian economies offers Vietnamese companies new business opportunities. A session entitled “From Ideas to Business” is set to explore the latest trends in creative and innovative branding, interior design and licensing solutions. Distinguished speakers will share their experience on how various solutions helped upgrade their businesses in Asia. They include March Richardson, group director of Sedgwick Richardson (Hong Kong) Limited; David Lo, creative director of LOMATTERS Creative Studio; Steve Leung, founder of Steve Leung Design Group Limited and Eddie Hui, managing director and CEO of Semk Products Limited, who are set to share their insights in terms of branding and design, product packaging, interior design and licensing.
In addition, the symposium is set to feature a Business Support Zone with 11 Hong Kong services providers from various fields, including design and branding, accounting, logistics, information technology, architecture and management consultancy. These services providers plan to deliver free on-site business consultation services to participants from Vietnam and other ASEAN countries.
An exclusive high-level gala dinner is planned at the InterContinental Hotel Saigon on Sept. 20 to welcome prominent officials and influential business leaders from Vietnam and Hong Kong. The special occasion provides an effective platform for businesspeople to network and appreciate the dynamic cultures of both sides.
The HKTDC has invited Hong Kong star chefs KK Chan and Vicky Lau to create a special menu for the evening. The cocktail reception is set to present a Hong Kong Pub feature to showcase award-winning Hong Kong craft beers. A Sand Art x Cheongsam Crossover Ao dai fashion presentation is planned at the dinner featuring sand-painting artist Hoi Chiu, as well as Hong Kong fashion designers Grace Choi, Polly Ho and Janko Lam. In addition, a photo display presented by the Hong Kong Tourism Board featuring “Old Town Central” of Hong Kong is set to be on display
Product zones for the trade exhibition running Sept. 20-21 at the GEM Center, featuring more than 130 of Hong Kong’s leading branded and designer-led lifestyle products, are set to include:
– Activewear and Fashion
– Fashion Accessories
– Fine Jewellery
– Watch and Clocks
– Gourmet and Delicacies
– Premium Houseware, Gifts and Toys
– Electronics
Highlighted exhibitors are set to include renowned jewellery brand Chow Tai Fook, prominent food and beverage brand Kampery and Hong Kong start-up focusing on Italian marble watches Concentri.
A citywide promotion comprising a variety of activities is set to be launched across Vietnam to highlight Hong Kong’s dynamic lifestyle via design-led and creative products, trendy fashion and unique culinary experience. Local merchants and restaurants around the city, including well-known brands G2000, Starbucks and Royaltea, will give promotional offers to Vietnamese consumers. In collaboration with Foody.VN, the citywide promotion will feature more than 10 Hong Kong-style restaurants.
The “In Style, Hong Kong” Expo, a trade exhibition showcasing over 130 of Hong Kong’s leading branded and designer-led lifestyle products, will be held at GEM Center from Sept. 20-21. A series of business matching activities and fringe events will take place during the two-day expo, which is expected to connect Hong Kong companies with importers, distributors, retailers, e-tailers, mail-order houses, department stores and specialized stores in Vietnam and neighboring ASEAN countries with Hong Kong companies. For more info, visit instyle-hk.com.
