Palme Vietnam day one

Having enticed suppliers and attendees alike with the lure of digital technology being implemented amongst broadcasters, a maturing live entertainment sector and an annual growth rate of 16.7 per cent amongst its 86 million population, the trade show had a raw feel to it. Comparisons to Chinese trade shows were raised as crowds flocked to exhibits at 9am but seriously waned around noon as local restaurants swelled.

Local distributors were matched in number by Singaporean suppliers, all of whom are looking to take some market share from the increasing projects being offered in the tourism and broadcasting sectors. Synergy AVL, Broadcast Professional and Electronics & Engineering had all made the three hour flight to Hanoi from Singapore. Representing the latter two, MD Ronald Goh explained their presence. ‘Broadcast Professional and E&E are looking to re-establish the old business brands for the pro audio and broadcast businesses in Vietnam. We are here to take care of new and existing customers and we’ve done good business today, meeting a lot of customers. We recently opened an office in Hanoi representing EAW, Furman, Symetrix, Neutrik, Powersoft and RDL. We aim to extend our brand presence in Vietnam – having done business for sixty years in Singapore serves as a good reference for us. Pro audio people who are familiar with E&E need to be familiar with our new product range and that’s the main reason we are here.’

Vietnamese distributors Basao Audio, FSL, Musicland and Vistar were all vying for attention and showed new lines on their booths. Showcasing an Outline GTO speaker system, DiGiCo SD8 and SD9 consoles together with Martin Professional moving heads and Avolites lighting control surfaces, Ms Lan Bao was in an upbeat mood. ‘I am not sure that all the attendees are real buyers, but we have made some good contacts,’ she said. Musicland’s general manager Vu Bao explained that although his company hadn’t exhibited in their home city of Ho Chi Minh City last year it had decided to come to Hanoi in order to extend its dealer network in the north. ‘We’re showing a range of MI, portable and sound reinforcement products from Mackie and Peavey amongst others. Hopefully, we’ll have forged some new relationships after three days.’

The original intention to create separate distinct halls for the Palme, Install and Broadcast & Media Tech brands had backfired through disappointing sales and so all three were present on the one show floor. Oddly Broadcast & Media Tech was separated by a partition in order to give it a separate identity.

Meyer Sound’s sales director Mike Cooper had trekked 39 hours from the US to make the show only to discover that the booth was lacking sales literature and exhibit information. ‘My flight was delayed in Shanghai, but I made it on time,’ remarked a jet lagged Mr Cooper. ‘Unfortunately, as often is the way, Vietnamese customs have taken exception to our literature in case it contains anything anti government.’

Many exhibitors had faced difficulties clearing customs to land their gear at the VEFAC, but most had managed to overcome the obstacles. It would appear that lessons had been learnt by the majority of those who had failed to hire local translators last year, although Chinese manufacturer SAE showcasing its new Lexanpro line array system and Verity Audio loudspeakers disagreed. ‘We don’t really need a translator here being Chinese,’ explained GM Bill Lee. ‘Hanoi is near to the Chinese border and Chinese language is more easily understood.’

Comparisons to China and Singapore were easy to make, but Vietnam is a unique country that needs to be approached altogether differently. A walk across any road will confirm that as hundreds of motorbikes swerve to avoid you. For overseas suppliers, doing business after the three days at the show will largely depend on the partner representing them and the politics of the country rather than the upwardly mobile economy.

www.palme-vietnam.com