Spring Fair 2026: Vietnam – India trade maintains growth momentum amid global headwinds

As global economic uncertainties persisted in 2025, Vietnam–India trade cooperation continued to post positive results, according to Vietnamese Trade Counselor in India Bui Trung Thuong.

The trade counselor said bilateral trade reached a record of nearly 16.5 billion USD in 2025, with Vietnam’s exports rising by almost 15% to exceed 10 billion USD. He noted that growth was driven primarily by the sustained performance of key product groups and a higher share of goods with greater technological content and added value.

Notably, the private sector — particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises, which account for 97–98% of businesses in both countries — played a pivotal role, he said, adding that policies introduced by Vietnam’s Party and State to promote private-sector development, together with the “Go Global” strategy, have created strong momentum for businesses to actively seek investment opportunities and expand import – export activities in the Indian market.

High-tech products and foreign-invested enterprises remained pillars of the bilateral trade. Meanwhile, consumer goods such as wooden furniture, footwear and textiles — which faced difficulties in major markets — recorded strong growth in India, underscoring the increasingly complementary nature of the two economies, according to VNA.

Vietnamese Trade Counselor in India Bui Trung Thuong (Photo: VNA)

India, Thuong noted, can serve as an important gateway for Vietnamese firms seeking to diversify export markets, especially for agricultural and food products.

The trade counselor said Indian businesses were impressed by the scale and international-standard organisation of trade fairs in Vietnam, including the Spring Fair 2026 and the 2025 Autumn Fair, which feature up to 3,000 booths across more than 100,000 sq.m.

The integration of trade promotion with services and cultural promotion has marked an important shift, reshaping Indian businesses’ perceptions of Vietnam from a processing hub to a country with growing capabilities in design, manufacturing and brand development. As a result, many Indian firms are considering deeper cooperation, from supplying raw materials to importing finished products from Vietnam, he noted.

Looking ahead, the Vietnamese Trade Office in India will focus on strengthening substantive trade promotion and expanding investment cooperation, including organizing more two-way business delegations and promoting bilateral investment as a key driver of trade growth, Thuong stated.

India is currently the world’s fourth-largest economy and has the potential to rise to third place in the coming years, creating vast room for cooperation. Ongoing institutional reforms by the Indian government to improve the investment climate are also seen as an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to expand their presence in the market.

If trade promotion and investment are pursued in tandem, bilateral trade could realistically reach 20–30 billion USD, or even 50 billion USD in the future, he said.

Vietnam signals broader global role with Gaza Peace Council entry

Vietnam’s decision to join the Gaza Peace Council as a founding member underscores the country’s commitment to international peace initiatives and reflects its intention to play a more active role in addressing global challenges, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung.

The ambassador was speaking during an interview with the media ahead of Party General Secretary To Lam’s departure for an inaugural meeting of the Gaza Peace Council in Washington D.C. on February 19 at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.

The Gaza Peace Council is expected to focus initially on implementing a peace and reconstruction plan for Gaza in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2830. Against the backdrop of prolonged conflict and humanitarian strain in the region, Vietnam’s participation as a founding member is seen as a concrete step toward deeper multilateral engagement.

The initiative also aligns with the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which includes cooperation on regional and international issues, said the ambassador, describing the upcoming visit as part of broader efforts to translate bilateral political commitments into coordinated action in multilateral settings, according to VOV.

Nguyen Quoc Dung, ambassador of Vietnam to the United States.

“This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to leverage its experience and capabilities, while learning from and further integrating with other countries through coordination in carrying out shared missions,” noted the diplomat.

Ambassador Dung recalled that Vietnam, whose modern history was shaped by decades of war, has increasingly emphasized peacebuilding, post-conflict recovery and sustainable development as pillars of its foreign policy. The country’s experience in reconstruction and economic reform provides practical insights that could contribute to international stabilization efforts.

Although Vietnam is not a major donor country, it is prepared to contribute personnel and resources within its capacity to support socio-economic recovery and civilian stabilization efforts in Gaza, consistent with international law and the UN Charter.

While the visit is centred on a multilateral initiative, it is also expected to reinforce bilateral relations. The direct invitation from President Trump and high-level participation are viewed as indicators of growing political trust between the two countries.

The Vietnamese diplomat said the trip could help expand practical cooperation and deepen coordination between Hanoi and Washington on regional and global issues, further consolidating ties under their comprehensive strategic framework.

“The General Secretary’s participation signals Vietnam’s support for broader peace efforts, including the Gaza reconstruction initiative, and is expected to further deepen bilateral cooperation in addressing regional and global issues in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” said Ambassador Dung.

Vietnam’s role in the Peace Council reflects a broader evolution in its diplomatic posture, from a country once defined by conflict to one increasingly seeking to contribute to peace, reconstruction and international governance.

Spring pagoda visits preserve Hanoians’ spiritual culture

Families across Hanoi gathered at pagodas, temples and shrines in the early hours of the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 17) to offer incense and pray for peace and prosperity.

The ritual has long formed part of Vietnam’s spiritual tradition, reflecting a shared wish for a year of good fortune.

Phu Tay Ho drew large crowds on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year.

To ease congestion during the Tet holiday, Tay Ho ward arranged free parking from Lunar New Year’s Eve through the sixth day of the first lunar month. The large, systematically organized parking area has helped reduce traffic pressure while maintaining public order, reinforcing the image of one of the capital’s best-known spiritual destinations.

Bui Thi Hoa, a resident of Tan Phong hamlet in Thuong Cat ward, Hanoi, said her family makes it a point every year to visit pagodas, temples and shrines on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year.

The tradition dates back to her childhood, she said, and after starting her own family she has continued the practice, taking her children along not only to pray for luck and peace, but also to help them understand and appreciate the spiritual customs passed down through generations, VNA reported.

Phu Tay Ho draws large crowds on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year. (Photo: VNA)

At Ha Pagoda in Cau Giay ward, alongside multi-generation families offering incense for peace and good fortune, large numbers of young people also gathered to pray and make their wishes.

While each visitor carried a different hope, the prayers shared a common sincerity — for family harmony, the chance to meet a kindred spirit, and the nurturing of meaningful relationships in the Year of the Horse.

Not only Vietnamese residents flock to places of worship on the first day of the Lunar New Year, many international visitors also stop by to observe rituals and learn about local spiritual life.

Johannes Müller, a visitor from Germany, said he arrived in Hanoi during the Lunar New Year and was struck by the sight of families heading to temples from the early morning.

Although he did not fully understand the tradition, he said the sense of reverence was unmistakable. Joining others in pressing his palms together, he offered a quiet wish for peace for all.

Lunar New Year festival in Lorient connects Vietnam and France

On February 15, nearly 1,000 members of the Vietnamese community, local French residents, and international friends gathered to celebrate the 2026 Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival in the north-western French city of Lorient.

The event was jointly organized by the Vietnam Bretagne Sud Association and the Lorient City Council with the aim of preserving the traditional spirit of the Vietnamese New Year while introducing Vietnamese culture to the French public.

The program featured performances by more than 100 professional and amateur artists, along with French and Vietnamese volunteers, students, and young Vietnamese people from various cities, cited NDO.

An ao dai performance at the event.

Alongside the performances, a range of cultural activities showcasing traditional Vietnamese values was offered to the public.

At the calligraphy experience area, local residents were able to try writing their own names in Vietnamese calligraphy and learn about the meanings of calligraphic phrases conveying wishes of good fortune, happiness, and prosperity for the new year.

In addition, martial arts demonstrations by the Hung Long Traditional Martial Arts Club from the town of Mordelles helped introduce Vietnam’s martial spirit and traditions to the local audience.

A highlight of the program was the presentation of an ao dai collection by designer Bich Ha Sarah, which honoured the beauty of Vietnam’s traditional costume while reflecting the cultural exchange between the two countries.

More than a celebration of cuisine, music and the arts, the event in Lorient served as a space for cultural exchange, where local residents could engage in conversation and gain a closer understanding of Vietnamese customs, traditions, and cultural life.

Fabrice Loher, Mayor of Lorient, stressed that the festival can truly be seen as a celebration of the increasingly strong relationship between France and Vietnam.

The support of the Lorient municipal authorities, together with the active participation of the Vietnamese community, helped create a meeting space for sharing cultural values, thereby reaffirming the role of the Vietnamese community in France as an important bridge in fostering friendship and sustainable cooperation between the two countries.

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