The exhibition is directed by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City Food and Foodstuff Association and relevant departments and agencies.

HCMC FOODEX 2026 will bring together hundreds of domestic and international enterprises, contributing to trade promotion and the introduction of Vietnamese food products to international markets.

According to Tran Phu Lu, Acting Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre, HCMC FOODEX is organised to create an effective platform connecting manufacturers, distributors and buyers from both domestic and international markets.

Through the exhibition, the organising committee aims to support businesses in promoting products, seeking partners and expanding export markets, while enhancing the value of Vietnamese food brands in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular in the international market.

HCMC FOODEX 2026 is expected to feature 500 booths from more than 350 enterprises representing 20 provinces and cities of Viet Nam, as well as countries and territories such as China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Russia.

Participating enterprises will showcase a wide range of product categories, including agricultural products, processed foods, spices, beverages, food additives, as well as equipment and technologies for food processing, packaging and preservation.

One of the key activities of HCMC FOODEX 2026 is the international trading matching programme (B2B Matching). The organising committee expects to welcome around 100 designated buyers from both domestic and international markets, including importers, retail chains, distributors and businesses in the fields of hotel, restaurant and catering (Horeca) sector.

The B2B Matching programme will create conditions for enterprises to directly meet with potential partners promote trade cooperation, and expanding export markets.

A highlight of the exhibition is the international culinary competition Master Chef of FOODEX 2026, featuring a panel of highly qualified international judges and expected to attract 300 contestants, including more than 100 international contestants from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Canada and the RoK.

The competition will take place throughout the exhibition, with various themed categories each day, contributing to honour culinary arts and the promotion of the Vietnamese cuisine culture to international friends, while strengthening exchange and connections with international culinary cultures.

Within the framework of the event, the organising committee also plans to organise visits to factories and production facilities for international buyers and exhibitors. This will help strengthen cooperation and seek investment and business opportunities between Vietnamese enterprises and international partners.