Vietnamese coffee shops would be a hot item in Thailand: Thai exhibition official
Vietnamese coffee shops would receive a warm welcome in Thailand, Puripan Bunnag, senior vice president of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), tells The Investor.
How would you assess the potential of the convention and exhibition business in Vietnam?
Vietnam has a lot of potential because it has a lot of enterprises and factories in a variety of industries. Organizing events and exhibits will help domestic and international clients learn about Vietnamese brands and establish business contacts.
Vietnam has a population of 100 million people, and this number is very attractive for foreign investors.
Through the business forum (Promoting Vietnam-Thailand Business Cooperation) that we, the TCEB, organized in HCMC on August 24, Thailand wishes to invite Vietnamese investors, firms and individuals to arrange events and invest in Thailand, as also attend Thai exhibitions.
Do you have a number for Vietnamese visiting Thailand on MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tours?
Since the beginning of the year, there have been about 35,000 people visiting Thailand as part of MICE tours. It is estimated that the number of people visiting Thailand from Vietnam accounts for about 10% of MICE visitors from Asia. This year, Thailand expects 50,000 MICE visitors from Vietnam.
How does the Thai government support the MICE industry?
The Thai government has a “MICE to meet you” slogan to attract more MICE visitors to the country. After attending an event, people will visit other places in Thailand. There are 10 localities in Thailand calls MICE destinations, like Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. These destinations have organizations and departments specifically geared to promote the MICE industry.
What is the portion of MICE visitors to either country?
As of June, the number of Thai citizens visiting Vietnam was 230,000, and the number of Vietnamese visitors to Thailand was 91,000. Of the 230,000 people, 20% were businessmen and investors.
What are Thai investors’ main areas of interest in Vietnam?
Thai investors are interested in many industries in Vietnam, including banking, finance, logistics, F&B and agriculture.
If Vietnamese enterprises wanted to invest in Thailand, which industries should they choose?
Vietnamese coffee businesses are especially welcome in Thailand. Thailand is very keen that Vietnamese businesses open coffee shops in Thailand. There is a large market for them. Vietnam has a lot of delicious coffee. I think Vietnamese coffee businesses should pay more attention to Thailand.
Can you name a few Vietnamese businesses that have been successful in Thailand?
I have noticed Vietjet Air and Vietnam Airlines. In terms of coffee, I have seen Trung Nguyen's G7. However, the brand does not have a physical location. Thailand would welcome Vietnamese entrepreneurs opening coffee shops in the country.
How much does a cup of coffee cost in Thailand, on average?
Depending on the area, the coffee at a coffee shop with air conditioning and wifi in Bangkok would be about 70 Thai baht (about $2).
"Thailand and Vietnam are close neighbors and have a strong relationship. The two countries have set a trade value target of $25 billion or 875 billion baht in 2025, a significant increase from $21.2 billion or 739 billion baht in 2022," the Bangkok Post quoted Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit as saying at the “Vietnamese Week in Thailand 2023” held August 16-20 in Bangkok.
