On October 31, 2024, Source of Asia, alongside the USAID-funded Enhancing Private Sector Competitiveness in Vietnam (IPSC) project, began a strategic partnership with IDEA Technology Group to support its expansion into the United States market. This collaboration, initiated through a high-level meeting between IDEA’s leadership, USAID & IPSC, and Source of Asia, is designed to guide IDEA through market research and strategy formulation, laying the groundwork for its entry into one of the world’s largest and most dynamic economies.
Highlights of the EquipHotel
Day 1: Delegation Welcomes and Showroom Visits
On their first day, the delegation of Vietnamese hospitality professionals—comprising owners, investors, prescribers, buyers, and designers—engaged in preliminary networking with international hospitality companies. Additionally, they visited the showrooms of several French furniture brands that are members of the L’Ameublement Francais association.
Day 2: Exploring the EquipHotel Fair
The second day centered around the EquipHotel 2024 fair, an international hub for innovations in hospitality, furniture, and design. This fair visit optimized the opportunity to connect with exhibitors and gather insights on the latest industry trends and technological advancements. Highlights included:
- Exploring groundbreaking furniture designs tailored to hospitality and hotel spaces.
- Observing new sustainable practices across materials and production techniques
Day 3: L’Ameublement Francais Networking and International Collaboration
The third and final day of the event focused on networking at the L’Ameublement Francais office with other international delegations. Over 65 members from 10 countries participated, creating a global platform for idea exchange and potential partnerships. As the sole Asian delegation, Vietnam highlighted its unique perspectives and Southeast Asia-focused solutions, aiming to build a broader network for future collaborations.
In the afternoon, the delegation toured exemplary hotel projects showcasing L’Ameublement Francais members’ products and their impact on high-end hospitality spaces. These site visits offered firsthand insights into the practical applications of products, inspiring participants with new ideas to enhance the value of their services to clients.
Final Thoughts
The EquipHotel 2024 experience provided invaluable insights for the Vietnamese delegation into the latest advancements and trends shaping the hospitality industry. Through interactions with French furniture brands, international networking, and firsthand exposure to innovative hospitality projects, the delegation left Paris equipped with new ideas and potential collaborations. This visit marked an important step in bridging Vietnam’s growing hospitality market with European expertise, paving the way for strengthened partnerships and inspiring future projects.
