The 2026 Dien Bien International Trade Fair opened on October 17, in the northern mountainous province of the same name, under the theme “Dien Bien - Bridge for trade, reaching international level,” featuring more than 230 booths from over 120 enterprises, cooperatives, and organizations across Vietnam, Laos, and China. 

Running through October 22, the event showcases agricultural produce, One Commune One Product (OCOP) goods, handicrafts, consumer products, and regional specialties.

The fair forms a key component of the province’s 2026 trade, investment, and tourism promotion series, held alongside the International Investment Promotion Conference between Dien Bien and its neighbors -  Luang Prabang (Laos) and Yunnan (China),

Address the opening of the event, Mr. Lo Van Cuong, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial People’s Committee, noted that the fair provides a platform for enterprises to connect, seek partners, expand distribution networks, and establish supply-demand linkages.

The northern mountainous province of Dien Bien shares borders with both Laos and China, featuring the Tay Trang International Border Gate, border connections with neighboring localities of Laos and China, and the upgraded Dien Bien Phu Airport.

He highlighted that the province leverages these advantages to advance trade, services, tourism, and key local products such as macadamia nuts, coffee, agricultural produce, OCOP (One Commune One Product) items, and traditional handicrafts.

The promotional campaign coincides with solid economic performance in Dien Bien. In the first nine months of 2026, the province’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) grew 9.81 percent year on year, with third-quarter growth reaching 11.67 percent.

Total retail sales and consumer service revenue rose 16.87 percent, tourism welcomed 1.272 million visitors (up 18.31 percent), and export-import value reached nearly $121 million, an increase of 21.84 percent.

The event also aims to stimulate late-year consumer demand ahead of the 2027 Lunar New Year.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Bui Quang Hung, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, noted that the fair enables Vietnamese, Lao, and Chinese enterprises to understand market standards and establish long-term trading relationships.

With over 455 km of borderlines, Dien Bien links the Northwestern region of Vietnam with Northern Laos and Southwestern China.

Mr. Hung noted that transportation infrastructure projects, including the Son La - Dien Bien - Tay Trang Highway construction and the upgraded Dien Bien Phu Airport, once completed,  will further enhance these trade channels. Key commodities such as rice, coffee, tea, macadamia, fruits, and livestock show strong potential to serve domestic and regional markets.

He added that trade promotion in Dien Bien should integrate post-border logistics, standardized raw material zones, processing, branding, and cross-border e-commerce. The agency will continue coordinating with Dien Bien to support supply-demand connections and foster long-term partnerships across regional value chains.

Concurrently, the Dien Bien Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center is hosting the “Dien Bien - Fascinating Discoveries” Famtrip program from October 17 to 22.