(VAN) During the ABAC III Week, Hai Phong’s specialties, such as rice, ginger tea, and mung bean cakes, conquered international visitors, opening up new opportunities for local agricultural products.
In recent days, the hottest topics of discussion in Hai Phong have centered around multibillion-dollar investment contracts and the city being granted a breakthrough mechanism to pilot the country’s first Free Trade Zone. And beyond these macro-level stories, the sidelines of the meeting also featured impressive stories about local specialties and cultural displays at agricultural product booths, which drew strong interest from international visitors.
Within the framework of the ABAC III Meeting Week in Hai Phong (July 15–18), the Department of Agriculture and Environment’s booth was modestly positioned within the elegant exhibition space at the Pullman Hotel. Yet the simplicity and authenticity of the local products became a highlight, drawing special attention from international delegates.
State President Luong Cuong visits a booth showcasing Hai Phong’s signature agricultural products during the meeting. Photo: Dinh Muoi.
Ms. Do Thi Diem from the Department of Agriculture and Environment could not hide her delight: “It was mostly foreign guests who bought from us! Visitors from Japan, Brunei, the Philippines, Singapore, etc., really liked our products. We sold about 50 kilograms of rice, nearly 10 kilograms of kuzu powder, 80 boxes of mung bean cakes, 20 boxes of chrysanthemum tea, and 30 boxes of ginger tea. The most favored items were the mung bean cakes, rice, and ginger tea.”
International guests’ attention to Hai Phong’s agricultural products is a clear testament to their appeal. It also affirms that if farmers’ products are carefully invested in quality, with attractive packaging and compelling stories, they can absolutely conquer the most demanding markets. Every box of mung bean cakes or bag of rice thoughtfully purchased by international visitors as gifts is more than just a product; it acts as an “ambassador,” carrying the flavor and dedication of Hai Phong farmers all over the world.
The success of the agricultural product booth was not a matter of mere luck. Rather, it was a vital link in Hai Phong’s well-planned and comprehensive promotional strategy for ABAC III Week. The city aimed not only to showcase its modern factories and industrial zones but also to offer international guests a cultural “soul” and roots of the land.
A foreign delegate takes a souvenir photo after purchasing Hai Phong’s agricultural products as gifts. Photo: Dinh Muoi.
That is why the city organized a tour for 80 spouses of the delegates to visit Chu Dau pottery village. There, the guests witnessed how the soil of Hai Phong, shaped by the skillful hands of local artisans, was transformed into exquisite works of art.
Mr. Don Russell, a delegate from Australia, remarked that he was not only impressed by Hai Phong’s preservation of traditional crafts but also deeply admired the city’s efforts to develop the craft as a means of improving local incomes.
As the delegates cruised through Lan Ha Bay–Cat Ba Archipelago, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, they experienced not only the stunning scenery but also the precious ecological space that the city is striving to preserve. Protecting the heritage is also about safeguarding the living environment and production foundation for sustainable agriculture.
An international delegate buys a bag of Kien Quoc organic rice, cultivated in clam worm farms, to bring home as a gift for his family. Photo: Dinh Muoi.
In parallel, art programs such as the musical “Dreaming Sea—The Kim Giao Promise” and the special water puppet show narrated the region’s cultural and historical stories in a gentle yet attractive manner.
All of these activities, from visiting traditional craft villages and cruising the bay to enjoying musical performances, sipping a cup of chrysanthemum tea, and tasting a piece of mung bean cake, complemented each other. Together, they painted a comprehensive picture of Hai Phong as “a city of economic dynamism, cultural depth, and respect for agricultural and rural values.”
Dr. Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Director of the Hai Phong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, shared that ABAC III was a golden opportunity to present a comprehensive image of the city, from its economic potential to cultural heritage, from scenic tourism landscapes to signature products and distinctive economic models.
International guests are interested in experiences at Chu Dau pottery village. Photo: Dinh Muoi.
In reality, this proved to be one of the most meaningful and thoughtful activities for delegates attending ABAC III. When investors see that a locality values every grain of rice and every cup of tea, preserves traditional craft villages, and protects its ecological environment, they gain greater confidence to invest in major projects. A place that embraces culture and sustainable agriculture will be a place with a stable development foundation.
The Third Meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC III) took place from July 15 to 18, bringing together top business leaders from 21 member economies to discuss key trade and investment issues in the Asia–Pacific region. On the sidelines of the event, Hai Phong City successfully hosted an investment promotion conference, during which 32 projects were granted investment registration certificates and 7 cooperative Memorandums of Understanding were signed, with total pledged capital exceeding USD 15.6 billion. The projects focus on major sectors such as industrial zone infrastructure development, seaport and logistics infrastructure, energy, high-tech manufacturing, and urban development.
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