HONG KONG :  Major events under the “In Style, Hong Kong” mega promotion in Ho Chi Minh City concluded today, including a symposium that highlighted Hong Kong’s professional services, an expo that showcased products from Hong Kong’s leading brands, and a gala dinner that forged closer ties between business communities from Hong Kong and Vietnam. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the promotion received enthusiastic support from Vietnam government officials, business leaders and consumers, with the three events attracting more than 2,900 participants.

Symposium Highlights Hong Kong’s World-class Professional Services

The “In Style, Hong Kong Symposium” was held yesterday (20 Sept) at GEM Center in Ho Chi Minh City. Senior officials from Vietnam; Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); and Vincent HS Lo, Chairman of the HKTDC, delivered speeches at the symposium opening.

Speaking at the symposium’s main session, Nicholas Kwan, Director of Research at the HKTDC, as well as Hong Kong business leaders including Jonathan Choi, Chairman of Sunwah Group, John Cheh, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Esquel Group, and Wallace Lam, Managing Director and Co-head of Global Banking at HSBC Hong Kong, examined how closer collaboration between Vietnam and Hong Kong could generate win-win results for companies from Vietnam and Hong Kong, particularly in global business expansion.

At a thematic session on cross-border logistics and the future of retail business, moderator Brian Wu, Chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA), was joined by speakers including Anthony Lau, Chairman of Pacific Air (Hong Kong) Limited; Gary Chan, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Giordano International Limited; as well as Carol Wan, Vice President, Sales & Business Development for South Pacific Region, PCCW Global Limited. The speakers discussed ways to create winning partnerships between the logistics industries of Vietnam and Hong Kong, while exploring new opportunities in supply chain management and logistics brought by growing trends of e-tailing, cross-border transactions and online payment.

Another thematic session, on creative branding and design, was moderated by David Lo, Creative Director at LOMATTERS Creative Studio. Speakers included Steve Leung, founder of Steve Leung Design Group Limited; March Richardson, Group Director at Sedgwick Richardson (Hong Kong) Limited; as well as Eddie Hui, Managing Director & CEO at Semk Products Limited. They promoted Hong Kong’s experience in upgrading Asian enterprises’ businesses through creative design, branding strategy and licensing solutions.

Apart from Mr Paul Chan, guests at the symposium included Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Le Thanh Liem, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, and Wu Jun, Consul General of The People’s Republic of China in Ho Chi Minh City.

Gala Dinner Showcases Hong Kong’s Creativity and Innovation

The “In Style, Hong Kong Gala Dinner” held last night (20 Sept) at the InterContinental Hotel Saigon was themed “Starry Night on the Waterfront”, and was attended by 360 government officials and business leaders from Vietnam and Hong Kong. At the event, Mr Lo, Chairman of the HKTDC, expressed gratitude to the guests for their support to the “In Style, Hong Kong” campaign. He also said the gala dinner highlighted the unique cultures of Vietnam and Hong Kong, in addition to their shared passion for creativity and innovation.

The dinner presented an exquisite fusion menu of Vietnamese and Hong Kong cuisines by Hong Kong star chefs KK Chan and Vicky Lau. The guests were entertained by an “Ao Dai” (the Vietnamese traditional dress) fashion presentation showcasing a sand art-and-cheongsam crossover by Hong Kong talents – sand-painting artist Hoi Chiu and fashion designers Grace Choi, Polly Ho and Janko Lam.

Guest at the dinner included Mr Paul Chan, Mr Le Hoai Trung, and Vu Tien Loc, President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Trade Expo Presents Lifestyle Brands

The two-day “In Style, Hong Kong Expo” (20-21 Sept) at GEM Center brought over 130 of Hong Kong’s leading branded and designer-led lifestyle products to Ho Chi Minh City, and welcomed more than 1,500 buyers from Vietnam and neighbouring countries.

Products on display included activewear and fashion, gourmet and delicacies, fashion accessories, premium houseware, gifts and toys, fine jewellery, electronics, watches and clocks. Exhibiting brands included Chow Tai Fook, Zero To One, as well as activewear brands such as Xamas, Gourami, Rising Lotus and Big Horn. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Hong Kong Pub presented at the expo offered a variety of Hong Kong snacks and craft beer to visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City Treated to a Taste of Hong Kong

To highlight Hong Kong’s dynamic lifestyle and wide variety of design-led products and fashion, the HKTDC partners with Hong Kong-linked merchants and restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City to stage a Citywide Promotion, providing Vietnamese consumers with a range of promotional offers until the end of this month. Participating merchants include well-known brands such as G2000 and Starbucks. Furthermore, in collaboration with Foody.VN, the Citywide Promotion features more than 10 Hong Kong-style restaurants that offer unique culinary experiences.