At the leading Asian food and beverage exhibition, Foodex Japan 2026, specialty coffee from Vietnam’s Lam Dong Province has attracted significant attention from international buyers. The coffee is produced by VOCO Trading and Import Export Co., Ltd. and imported and distributed in Japan by Aikai Group Co., Ltd..
During the first three days of the exhibition, the specialty coffee showcase at the Vietnam Pavilion at Foodex Japan 2026 remained busy with visitors and importers eager to learn about and experience the product.
This marks the second time Aikai Group has organized promotional activities for Lam Dong coffee in Japan, following an earlier event held in March 2025. In September 2025, the company also joined a business delegation organized by the Vietnam Trade Office at the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan together with the Vietnam Business Association in Japan during a working visit to Tay Ninh, where a memorandum of understanding on comprehensive cooperation between business associations from both sides was signed.
At this year’s exhibition, partners from Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, the United States, Guam and several African countries sampled and praised the distinctive flavor of coffee grown in Lac Duong, Lam Dong Province. The area is part of the Da Lat region, widely recognized as one of Vietnam’s key origins for high-quality Arabica coffee.
The beans are sourced from the Langbiang Plateau, a highland area known for its ideal elevation, year-round cool climate, and distinctive soil conditions. These natural advantages contribute to the refined flavor profile of the local Arabica coffee, characterized by delicate aromas, balanced acidity, and a naturally sweet aftertaste.
Through the partnership between VOCO and Aikai Group, the specialty coffee line is gradually entering the Japanese market while also opening opportunities for expansion into other international markets.
The positive response from buyers visiting the Vietnam Pavilion highlights the growing potential of Vietnamese coffee in the global specialty coffee segment. Industry observers say the event provides an important opportunity for Vietnamese companies to strengthen trade connections and seek international partners in the agricultural and food sectors.
As a member of the Vietnam Business Association in Japan, Aikai Group regularly participates in trade and investment promotion activities between Vietnam and Japan. At Foodex Japan 2026, the company not only introduced Vietnamese specialty coffee but also played a bridging role in promoting cooperation between Vietnamese enterprises and international partners.
The year 2026 also marks the first time the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan collaborated with the Vietnam Business Association in Japan to organize a dedicated embassy exhibition area within the Vietnam Pavilion. The display featured products from 15 participating companies.
In addition, the Vietnam Pavilion included 26 more booths from Vietnamese enterprises organized by the Trade Promotion Center for Agriculture and Environment. With a total of 41 booths, 2026 recorded the largest number of Vietnamese participants in the history of the Foodex Japan exhibition.
Close coordination between government agencies and business associations has helped strengthen the image of the Vietnam Pavilion while expanding opportunities for cooperation between Vietnamese companies, Japanese businesses, and other international partners in the agricultural and food sectors.
Ahead of the exhibition, on March 9, more than 150 businesses and guests attended the Japan–Vietnam Agricultural and Food Connection Day 2026 held at the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan.
The program was jointly organized by the Vietnam Trade Office in Japan and the Vietnam Business Association in Japan to create a platform for product promotion, business networking, and bilateral trade cooperation before companies officially participated in Foodex Japan 2026.
