Timber sector must grow rapidly without compromising forest resources

On March 4, the Hochiminh Export Furniture Fair 2026 (HawaExpo 2026) officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City under the theme “Gateway to Vietnam Furniture Prowess.”

The timber sector must shift from processing to design and building its own brands

The event was organized by VIFOREST FAIR and operated by the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA), under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade.

Attending the opening ceremony were Mr. Le Minh Hoan, Member of the 13th Party Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri; Director General of the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade Vu Ba Phu; Ms. Anne Benjaminson, Deputy Consul General of the United States in Ho Chi Minh City; along with leaders of industry associations and numerous domestic and international businesses.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri said that the Hochiminh Export Furniture Fair 2026 takes place in a special context, as in 2025 Viet Nam’s forestry processing and export sector recorded impressive results, with export turnover exceeding USD 18.3 billion and a trade surplus of more than USD 15 billion, accounting for over 75% of the country’s total trade surplus.

“This is not only an economic achievement but also the crystallization of strategic vision, perseverance, and the global integration capacity of Vietnamese enterprises,” he emphasized. He added that from being a country primarily exporting raw materials, Viet Nam has risen to become one of the world’s major centers for wood furniture production and export. Vietnamese wood products are now present in 160 countries and territories, reaching demanding markets such as the United States, the EU, Japan, and South Korea, while continuing to expand into new regions.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri, this growth has not come at the expense of natural forest resources. Instead, it has remained firmly aligned with a path of sustainable forestry development, reflected in achievements such as maintaining forest cover at over 42%, steadily increasing areas of plantation forests certified for sustainable management, and strengthening a legal and transparent supply chain.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri, amid global economic volatility, the timber sector must shift decisively from processing to design and building its own brands; from competing on cost to competing on quality, technology, and innovation; and from rapid growth to green, sustainable, and responsible long-term development. At the same time, the sector needs to accelerate digital transformation, automation, the use of environmentally friendly materials, and stronger linkages between enterprises and forest growers.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is committed to continuing to improve mechanisms and policies in a transparent and stable manner; developing sustainably certified raw-material areas; and supporting enterprises in meeting new standards on traceability, circular economy practices, and export market expansion.

“With the foundation already achieved, Viet Nam’s timber sector will not only grow in scale but also elevate its quality and brand, becoming a symbol of green, innovative, and sustainable manufacturing in the region and globally,” Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri said.

Affirming the ‘Vietnam Wood’ brand

From the local perspective, Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, said that after many years of organization, the Hochiminh Export Furniture Fair 2026 has become a recognized brand of the wood industry business community, making an important contribution to the city’s economic development.

With its creative exhibition space and numerous trade-connection activities, HawaExpo 2026 continues to affirm its role as an international meeting point for Viet Nam’s wood and furniture industry, where enterprises can showcase new products and technologies while expanding global partnerships.

Representing the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Director General of the Trade Promotion Agency, noted that the timber sector is facing many challenges, including increasingly stringent market standards, pressure for green transition, and geopolitical uncertainties. In this context, specialized trade fairs such as HawaExpo play an important bridging role, helping enterprises expand markets and strengthen the “Vietnam Wood” brand in the international marketplace.

Mr. Phung Quoc Man, Chairman of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City and Head of the Organizing Committee of HawaExpo 2026, said that nearly 90% of the products displayed at the fair are wood furniture manufactured in Viet Nam. This demonstrates the growing internal capacity of domestic enterprises while also reflecting the attractiveness of Viet Nam’s manufacturing and investment environment to international partners.

This year, the scale and product structure of the fair have been clearly organized, reflecting the increasingly complete furniture production ecosystem in Viet Nam. Specifically, 79% of exhibitors showcase home furniture, 12% provide raw materials and components, 2% belong to the project furniture segment, and 2% feature decorative accessories and handicraft products.

Beyond being a trade networking platform, HawaExpo 2026 is also expected to serve as a space to promote the production, design, and creative capabilities of Viet Nam’s wood industry, thereby helping elevate the national brand within the global furniture supply chain.

Some highlights from the Hochiminh Export Furniture Fair 2026: