Trade Association-COEX Opens Largest Exhibition Hall in Vietnam

Operation of the 2nd COEX 'Binh Duong New City Exhibition Hall'
Hosting Exhibitions and Export Consultation Meetings

Photo by Korea International Trade Association

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and COEX are opening the largest exhibition hall in Vietnam.

KITA and COEX announced on the 8th that they signed an operation contract for the 'Binh Duong New City Exhibition Hall' with Becamex, the Vietnam Investment and Development Corporation, and are expanding their business into the global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) market.

This exhibition hall has a total floor area of 22,000㎡, consisting of 11,679㎡ of indoor exhibition space and 7,935㎡ of outdoor exhibition space, making it the largest exhibition hall in Vietnam. It is half the size of COEX in Seoul and was completed last month. Going forward, it will serve as a key infrastructure connecting business, culture, and tourism between Korea and Vietnam.

KITA and COEX plan to hold exhibitions and export consultation meetings in cooperation with export-related organizations, centered on their local office in Ho Chi Minh City. COEX will also dispatch managerial-level staff with on-site experience and know-how in exhibition hosting and facility operation to Vietnam to start operations. These dispatched employees will oversee the development master plan, marketing strategy establishment, and facility management of the Binh Duong New City Exhibition Hall for three years.

KITA and COEX have previously held seven exhibitions and trade consultation meetings in Vietnam, including distribution technology, franchise shows, and coffee expos. Binh Duong Province, where the exhibition hall is located, is in the southern core economic zone about 25 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. It is the largest industrial city housing 3,200 global companies and over 800 Korean companies.

KITA and COEX plan to enhance exhibition content and strengthen competitiveness by utilizing hybrid exhibitions and online business consultations combined with online technology, as well as IT technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).

Kang Ho-yeon, Executive Director of COEX, said, "The Vietnam exhibition hall will serve as an advanced base for domestic companies' trade with New Southern countries," adding, "We plan to enhance the exhibition hall's competitiveness through expanding exhibition content and hybrid exhibitions combined with online technology."