On the afternoon of February 6 in Hanoi, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, Head of the Steering Committee for National Trade Fairs, visited and experienced the exhibition space of the Spring Fair. On the sidelines of the event, the Deputy Prime Minister granted an interview to reporters of the Newspaper of Industry and Trade, sharing his views on the First Glorious Spring Fair, a national-level trade promotion event opening the year 2026.

The First Glorious Spring Fair 2026: Market momentum and early-year confidence

The First Glorious Spring Fair 2026 is held at the very beginning of the new year. How do you assess its role in generating market momentum, strengthening confidence and stimulating domestic consumption in the early months of the year?

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son: It can be affirmed that the First Glorious Spring Fair 2026 is the largest in scale ever held, with its organisation carried out in a highly professional and meticulous manner. The selection of products participating in the fair has ensured high quality, attractive designs, packaging and diversity. During my visit to the booths, I saw a wide range of goods that well meet the needs of consumers.

In addition, services supporting the organisation of the fair have been well prepared, facilitating public access for sightseeing and shopping, from transport arrangements to small but practical amenities such as shopping trolleys provided for customers. I consider this a very positive point.

Notably, the fair has harmoniously combined economic development and product promotion with traditional cultural spaces of localities and of Vietnam, vividly reflecting national cultural identity throughout the exhibition area.

Today, I personally witnessed cultural performances by ethnic communities from Son La, along with several cultural activities held in the central area, and could clearly feel the enthusiasm and joy of the people. The fair is not only a venue for shopping and product consumption support, but also a space where people can immerse themselves in the spring atmosphere of the country in a new, dynamic and emotionally rich way.

With that spirit, I would like to convey two messages to the public. First, this is the First Glorious Spring Fair 2026 to be organised, taking place in the context where the entire country and nation are welcoming a new spring and a new era of development. By coming to the fair, people not only have opportunities to shop for, enjoy and experience high-quality products made by Vietnamese producers at reasonable prices, but also to immerse themselves in a cultural space imbued with strong national identity.

Second, with the largest scale ever, the fair is not limited to experiences inside the booths, but also extends to the surrounding areas. Visitors can stroll among ornamental plants and enjoy regional cuisine, creating a joyful and vibrant atmosphere and jointly contributing to the overall success of the fair.

Applying digital technology, expanding trade promotion space

From the practical organisation of the First Glorious Spring Fair 2026, what direction do you expect the Government and ministries to take in shaping national-level trade fairs and trade promotion models in the coming time, so as to keep pace with digital transformation while preserving cultural identity, market depth and sustainable vitality of the domestic economy?

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son: This is the First Glorious Spring Fair 2026 where we place great expectations that products made by Vietnamese producers will primarily serve domestic consumers, while also being introduced to international friends. At the same time, the fair demonstrates the connection between cultural and economic products.

More importantly, the application of digital technology in product promotion and trade facilitation is a key factor, showing that national-level trade fairs and trade promotion models are keeping pace with new trends while still maintaining distinctive cultural values.

Today, I am very pleased to see that all products displayed at the booths are equipped with QR codes, have clear origins, and are promoted through various forms on e-commerce platforms. Thanks to this, products can reach consumers quickly, not only during the fair but also afterwards.

Communications play a vital role in the success of the event

Communications have been strongly promoted in many national-level trade promotion events, such as the Vietnam Golden Autumn Fair 2025 and now the First Glorious Spring Fair 2026. How do you evaluate the effectiveness of communications in contributing to the success of these events?

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son: I highly appreciate the active coordination of the Newspaper of Industry and Trade and other media agencies in disseminating information and products of the First Glorious Spring Fair 2026 to consumers, helping the public access the fair more effectively.

In the coming days, as the fair continues for about another week and approaches the Lunar New Year, I hope that media agencies, including the Newspaper of Industry and Trade, will continue to closely follow market demand and public needs, joining hands in trade promotion and communication efforts, especially to promote Vietnamese goods so that Vietnamese consumers prioritise using Vietnamese products.

On the occasion of the 2026 Lunar New Year, would you like to extend any New Year wishes to the Editorial Board, officials and employees of the Newspaper of Industry and Trade?

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son: To the collective of the Newspaper of Industry and Trade, I wish you a prosperous and successful Lunar New Year. I hope the newspaper will continue to further uphold its role as an information and communications agency of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as of the country as a whole, contributing more effectively to promoting Vietnamese products and bringing goods made by Vietnamese producers to domestic consumers and international friends.

Thank you very much!

During his visit to the First Glorious Spring Fair 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son spent time touring exhibition booths, encouraging participating enterprises and localities, and directly purchasing several products.