９月１９日至２２日，筆者参加了香港貿易發展局(HKTDC)在越南胡志明市舉辦的大型香港標誌性活動—「時尚潮流‧魅力香港」(In Style Hong Kong)。活動主要在當地宣傳香港的創意業務與時尚生活，並展示香港的創意產品及現代服務業，務求令越南的參觀者感受到香港在區內對潮流文化及時尚的影響力。
文‧張錦華 圖‧香港貿易發展局、張錦華
此類活動已曾在印尼、泰國及馬來西亞舉辦過，甚為當地受落，HKTDC帶領著商界，以時尚及專業定位，為香港商家尋找「走出去」的商機。
我自2006年開始，便不間斷地參與HKTDC在國內舉辦的展覽及商業掙探訪活動；今次則為首次參與前往東南亞的展團。我此行並沒有參與「擺展」，只是隨團觀察及拜訪越南企業，從而尋找商機。團友不乏印香港藝學會管理成員、會員與業界好友，包括執行委員黎景隆、學會總幹事黃令真、安碧(香港)有限公司董事總經理連繼賢、MCL品牌策劃設計顧問有限公司總設計師暨首席品牌顧問吳秋全。是次設展的香港公司共有11家，包括創業、物流、會計及建築行業；隨團的創意與設計企業則有19家。另外，參與展覽的香港品牌及生產公司則有55家，領團者包括香港特別行政區財政司司長陳茂波、HKTDC主席羅康瑞及總裁方舜文，陣容龐大。
香港特別行政區財政司司長陳茂波擔任此行領團者之一
(左起)前設計師協會會長盧永強、本會總幹事黃令真、執行委員黎景隆、MCL品牌策劃設計顧問有限公司總設計師暨首席品牌顧問吳秋全與筆者一同合影
我隨著19間創意商訪團，抵達越南的第一個早上便馬不停蹄走訪越南企業，第一家拜訪的企業專門製作竹品及藤器手工家具；第二家則是與越南胡志明市地產商會交流。交流過程主要以英語溝通，HKTDC當地領隊全程在旁協助，誘導我們提出問題，從中了解彼此是否適合合作，尋找商機。
第二天早上，我們到達In Style Hong Kong展覽場地，參與隆重的開幕儀式。到場嘉賓包括當地政府人員、商界代表等數百人，十分熱鬧。這是個一整天的活動，主要邀請許多業界翹楚進行演講及主持研討會。除了金融物流業外，創意業亦有四位「猛人」獲邀演講，包括設計師梁智天、前設計師協會會長盧永強、Sedgwick Richardson品牌總監March Richardson及B.Duck品牌創辦人許夏林。在論壇場外，大會擺放了11個香港現代服務展位，創意產業亦包括其中，參觀者不斷駐足接洽及諮詢，人流絡繹不絕。
設計師梁智天、前設計師協會會長盧永強、Sedgwick Richardson品牌總監March Richardson及B.Duck品牌創辦人許夏林獲邀於活動上擔任研討會分享嘉賓，探討如何從創意思維走進商業環境(Creative Branding & Design: From Ideas to Business)。
現場遊人如鯽
展場另一層整層展出了許多香港製造及品牌產品，更設有不同的試飲試食攤位。此展場的整體設計及布置甚有特色，以商店及名店街為主題，設計成一個富銷售及展示等活動體驗的場地，別具一格，令參觀者耳目一新。
展館以商店及名店街為主題，展出香港品牌及產品，吸引參觀者參觀。
第三天，我們到訪三家地產發展商，午餐由香港越南商會設宴招待。當日不少座上客均為香港移民到越南的商家，宴上他們向我與團友分享到越南發展事業事半功倍的機遇。最後，我與團友登上市內最高的建築—Skydeck，俯瞰全市，並到其附屬商場參觀，第四天早機回港。
與越南香港商會午宴及交流
The summary is the observation of the trip. I think the overall development of Vietnam is still much behind China. Taking traffic as an example, the traffic situation in Vietnam is chaotic, the public transportation system is still developing, and people still use motorcycles as the main means of transportation. The demand for modern service industry still takes a long time. However, in business talks, Vietnam is in real business opportunities in the establishment of production lines and the provision of workers. Vietnam has a younger population and has an English-based education base that provides cheaper and more productive productivity. In addition, in the Sino-US trade war, more production lines may be transferred to Southeast Asia; many Hong Kong printers who developed to the mainland in the early days were also started because of cheap land prices and low labor. In terms of property development, Vietnam is a place with a high “gold content”. In addition, Vietnam has a lot of French feelings under historical factors, attracting many foreigners to take root here. In terms of diet, Vietnam is mainly based on local catering and western food. There are also many Chinese people who like seafood and other ingredients. Nonetheless, there are two things to consider before investing: first, the government’s help for new immigrants and their business actions; second, the stability of the currency.
After joining
I strongly encourage the Graphic Arts industry to participate in similar events held by HKTDC. At present, HKTDC leads the industry and commerce to open up and turn all visitors into a “Hong Kong commercial brand”. It can communicate with Chinese and foreign companies in a favorable position. In addition to broadening the horizon, market research, observation of local development potential, and connection with local enterprises. Department, find suitable business partners and like-minded people, and cooperate with each other… These effects can be harvested during the visit. Preventing the aging of enterprises and turning into the sunset industry depends on the minds of business leaders. Creative thinking can’t just be sitting in the company, but it needs to “go out” and inspire through reflection. Thanks to HKTDC for providing a development opportunity for the Hong Kong industry to “go global”.
Meet with Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Chamber of Commerce, developers and real estate companies to conduct seminars and seminars.
Meet with Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Chamber of Commerce, developers and real estate companies to conduct seminars and seminars.