Viet Nam strives to enhance wood products competitiveness

This approach increases production costs, creates passivity in production and distribution, and limits market responsiveness. Consequently, businesses must focus on improving product quality and design, while building strong brand identities to directly expand their market reach.

To raise the quality of wood products, enterprises need to address several key areas: implementing quality management systems, investing in modern technologies, training skilled personnel, enforcing stringent quality control, and developing product traceability systems. These measures not only enhance production efficiency but also increase the value and international competitiveness of the wood industry.

Nguyen Thanh Hung, Director of Viet Xanh Trading Services Joint Stock Company, shared that Viet Xanh specialises in premium, health-safe products such as wet wipes, tissue paper, toothpick wrappers, chopstick sleeves, and menus. Notably, in 2021, the company pioneered the introduction of altar-cleaning wet wipes—an innovation first seen on the Vietnamese market. The product was developed with the intention of respecting and preserving traditional values, contributing to the sanctity of family worship spaces.

Thanks to its production and business achievements, the company was honoured with the 2023 Top 10 Golden Brands Award. Nevertheless, it currently faces challenges in expanding its production space and in forging business partnerships.

Alongside traditional products, the company’s Vietpink and Xwood brands, which produce eco-friendly packaging, modular wood products, souvenirs, and educational items, are expanding in scale. Therefore, the enterprise hopes that government authorities will facilitate stable and sustainable development to better serve both domestic consumption and export demands.

Modular and sculpted wood items are increasingly popular among young people with a passion for discovery

According to Nguyen Chanh Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Handicraft and Wood Industry Association, wood businesses must better ensure the legality and traceability of their raw materials, especially those recognised by target markets to maintain high competitiveness.

This is particularly urgent now, as the US—importing up to 56% of Viet Nam’s wood products—is implementing new reciprocal tax policies. To meet this market’s stringent requirements, Vietnamese companies must enhance product quality, including by increasing the use of high-quality imported materials from the US.

The year 2025 presents major opportunities, as consumer demand rebounds in large markets, and free trade agreements between Viet Nam and various countries and regions continue to offer tariff advantages. Global supply chain shifts also create a competitive edge for Vietnamese businesses.

However, the wood industry still faces multiple challenges, from global political and economic instability to rising protectionism, and stricter requirements for traceability, environmental standards, and sustainable development. These challenges necessitate continuous innovation and adaptability from businesses to improve their competitiveness.

Under the Sustainable and Efficient Development Plan for the Wood Processing Industry (2021–2030 period), approved by the Prime Minister, the sector is expected to become an important economic industry by 2030. The plan calls for developing reputable Vietnamese wood product brands for both domestic and international markets, aiming for Viet Nam to rank among the world’s leading countries in wood production, processing, and export.

According to economic managers, to implement the above solutions, the wood industry must focus on adopting quality management systems and investing in modern machinery and technology to boost productivity, reduce errors, and enhance product quality.

Developing a highly qualified workforce in quality management, production techniques, and quality inspection processes will help enterprises meet increasingly demanding market standards.

Rigorous quality control throughout the production process will allow timely detection and correction of defects, ensuring final product quality. Strengthening product traceability systems will increase customer trust, enhance brand reputation, and ensure environmental and ethical compliance.

In addition, businesses need to elevate the value of Viet Nam’s wood industry. High-quality wood products not only boost industry value in the global market but also create well-paying jobs to attract skilled workers. This, in turn, enables businesses to produce superior products and improve their international competitiveness.

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