From 21 to 23 October 2024 the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition filled the Thiskyhall Sala Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City with businesses, chambers of commerce and policymakers talking about a greener economy. Vinoteka was there too, with a glass in hand. Working with two chambers of commerce, we brought European wine to one of the city's most forward-looking business events.

Why wine belongs at a green economy forum

Under the theme “Building Green Futures”, the event was organised by EuroCham, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, with Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade as co-organiser. Its focus was investment, trade and sustainable growth. Wine may seem an unexpected guest, but it fits naturally.

Wine is an agricultural product. Every bottle depends on soil, water, weather and the people who look after the vines. Producers in Europe and around the world deal with a changing climate every season. Many of the questions discussed at a green economy forum, about long-term thinking and responsible sourcing, are ones winemakers know well.

A tasting with ICHAM and CEEC

We were honoured to collaborate with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM) and the Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (CEEC) to present part of our collection. Each chamber brought its own story to the tasting bar:

• Chateau Vartely, Moldova (with CEEC). Moldova has one of Europe's oldest winemaking traditions, and Vartely's whites and reds from the Valul lui Traian area in the south of the country showed how fresh and approachable modern Moldovan wine can be.
• Masciarelli, Italy (with ICHAM). One of the best-known names in Abruzzo, the region between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic Sea, and a benchmark for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
• Arione, Italy (with ICHAM). A second Italian voice, adding easy-going everyday wines to the table.

For many visitors this was a first taste of Moldovan wine. Pouring it next to classic Italian bottles gave people an easy way in. They could start from something familiar and then try something new.

More than a tasting: wine for business

Our stand also had a practical message. Many visitors were companies, and for them wine is part of how they host guests, thank partners and celebrate milestones. That is why the Vinoteka banner at the forum listed the ways we work with businesses:

• committed partnerships with hotels, restaurants and caterers (HoReCa);
• corporate gifting, from a single bottle to tailored packages;
• corporate wine trainings for teams;
• exclusive corporate packages and seasonal specials for celebrations.

A few simple rules help when choosing wine as a corporate gift. Pick a wine with a story the recipient will remember: a family estate, a historic region, or a less familiar country such as Moldova. Choose a style that suits the occasion and the climate. A crisp white or a sparkling wine is easy to enjoy in Saigon's heat, while a well-made Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a generous, crowd-pleasing red for the dinner table. And present it well. A bottle in a good box with a short note about the producer says more than a long list of medals.

Behind all of this is the same idea that guides our whole portfolio: we import wines from producers we know and trust, wines we like to drink ourselves.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand, and to ICHAM and CEEC for making the collaboration possible. If you are planning corporate gifts, a team tasting or a wine list for your venue, explore the Vinoteka shop or contact our team. We will be glad to put together a selection that fits your occasion.