The communal house-inspired pavilion recounts the 80-year story of Vietnam’s wood industry

On the afternoon of August 28, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri and a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment visited the exhibition space "Vietnam Wood Journey - Resilience and Sustainability". 

The National Achievements Exhibition, which opened at the National Exhibition Center in Hanoi in the same morning to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day, with the nationwide, intersectoral pavilion as one of its standout features. The Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA) organized the event in collaboration with industry associations and enterprises, under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and technical guidance from the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection (MAE).

Drawing inspiration from the architecture of the traditional village communal house, which serves as a symbol of unity, the pavilion was designed as a "great communal house" for the wood sector by Atelier Tho. The semi-transparent walls of the space are a testament to the industry's milestones and accomplishments over the course of eight decades, as they incorporate contemporary craft materials, poonah paper of dó paper, and wood. This design evokes for visitirs a sense of both modernity and nostalgia.

Ten smaller displays featured prominent brands, including An Cuong, AA Corporation, Woodsland, Phu Tai, Bao Hung, Minh Duong, Hao Hung, Truong Thanh, and Tan Thanh, beneath this "shared roof". The pavilion also showcased suppliers and innovative start-ups, including Nordic, Snorm, Laita, Minh Long, and Tavico. Each product and narrative collectively depicted the global wood industry of Vietnam's resilience and diversity.

Open free to the public throughout the five-day exhibition, the pavilion served not only as a showcase but also as a hub for trade and networking, offering visitors from home and abroad an immersive visual experience and opportunities for business cooperation.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri lauded the pavilion's creativity, emphasizing that wood has emerged as one of Vietnam's signature export sectors.

The value of exports in 2000 was a mere USD 219 million. By 2004, it had surpassed USD 1 billion, and it had reached USD 11.3 billion in 2019. Vietnam has become the world's second-largest furniture exporter, following China, as the industry achieved a new record of USD 16.25 billion in 2024, despite the global uncertainties. Currently, the wood sector generates employment opportunities for over half a million individuals and makes a substantial contribution to the gross domestic product in Viet Nam.

Deputy Minister Tri underscored that the pavilion is an affirmation of the sustainable orientation, resilience, and creativity of Vietnam's wood enterprises. MAE leader encouraged wood businesses to prioritize the welfare of forest producers and establish sustainable value chains in addition to pursuing export growth in the future.

This, he said, is the foundation for stable incomes, fair competition among processors, and a stronger international reputation for Vietnamese wood products.

Phung Quoc Man, Chairman of HAWA, also emphasized that future growth will be contingent upon the ability to tell compelling stories, contribute value, and strengthen branding, as the pavilion itself demonstrates. He disclosed that the exhibition display was the outcome of contributions from more than 6,000 enterprises and hundreds of thousands of employees throughout the production chain, from plantation forests to processing plants.

In 25 days, the pavilion will represent a collective achievement, the result of the unwavering commitment of businesses, associations, and organizers. Man characterized it as an image of the Vietnamese timber sector's self-reliance, determination, and creativity. "The business community is greatly motivated by the Ministry's leadership's presence, attention, and encouragement," HAWA chairman stated.

The Department of Forestry and Forest Protection reports that wood and furniture are presently the sixth most significant economic sector in Vietnam and continue to be a prominent sector that demonstrates the country's production, design, and export capabilities.