27 May 2025

APLF ASEAN Returns with Its Next Destination: Ho Chi Minh City

13–15 November 2025 | SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

APLF ASEAN, Southeast Asia’s most focused B2B platform for leather, materials, and technology sourcing, heads to its third edition in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from 13 – 15 November 2025. Following two successful editions in Bangkok, APLF ASEAN continues to build momentum as the region’s most business-oriented event for the manufacturing supply chain.

Backed by decades of experience organizing international leather exhibitions in Hong Kong, APLF ASEAN is created with a purpose to connect international suppliers with Southeast Asia’s industrial sourcing network.

 

In a region where manufacturers heavily rely on imported materials and components to fuel exports in footwear, leather goods, and furniture, APLF ASEAN stands out by offering a curated, business-driven tradeshow experience. The event caters exclusively to manufacturers of footwear, leather goods, garment and furniture, with a unique exhibition format.

A Tradeshow Built Around the M.E.E.T. Concept

 

At the heart of APLF ASEAN is the M.E.E.T. concept, which defines the visitor and exhibitor journey:

 

  • M – MATCHING: Business matchmaking between suppliers and qualified sourcing professionals, enabling direct and high-value B2B connections.
  • E – EXPERIENCE: Dedicated zones to showcase leather trends and material innovations in a curated environment designed for interaction and discovery.
  • E – EDUCATION: A platform for industry experts and innovators to share market insights and breakthroughs through seminars and technical sessions.
  • T – TRADESHOW: A lean, focused event format delivering high-quality engagement tailored to industrial sourcing.

 

“Exhibitors and buyers deserve an enhanced sourcing experience in the region, and we hope APLF ASEAN can help provide that focused, high-return environment,” said Ms. Janice Lee, Director of APLF. “Our aim is to create an exhibition that fosters meaningful connections between suppliers and the right buyers, while also setting a new benchmark for leather and materials exhibitions in Vietnam.”

Leather Import Demand in Vietnam

 

On average, Vietnam imports over 500 million square feet of leather per year. This leather is imported from countries such as Italy, India, Brazil, and the US, with China as the principal supplier of components for footwear manufacture.

 

Approximately 60% of the leather imported is dedicated to manufacturing footwear with leather uppers, with the balance being used to manufacture leather goods, accessories, bags and garments and the remainder used in the growing and emerging sectors of automotive and furniture upholstery.

 

A Strategic Platform for a Shifting Global Supply Chain

 

As global trade dynamics evolve and rising tariffs encourage supply diversification, Vietnam has solidified its position as a strategic manufacturing hub, especially for footwear, fashion accessories, bags, and furniture. According to forecasts, Vietnam’s leather market is projected to grow at 6–8% annually from 2024 to 2030.

 

This outlook is reinforced by the Tanner Business Confidence Survey 2024, conducted by ILM magazine, which ranks Southeast Asia as the second-strongest region in current global trade—up from fourth place in 2023. APLF ASEAN has proven to be a timely reflection of this growth, offering a sourcing platform that aligns with the region’s rising manufacturing excellence and growing commitment to sustainability.

 

With this momentum, APLF ASEAN provides international suppliers the ideal gateway to Southeast Asia. As a professionally curated, high-quality sourcing event, APLF ASEAN delivers what manufacturers in the region deserve: a new standard for the leather and material exhibition in Vietnam.

 

Notes to Editors

 

APLF ASEAN 2025
Date: 13 – 15 November 2025
Location: SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
inquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://www.aplf.com/aplf-asean-vietnam-2025/

 

APLF Limited (www.aplf.com)
APLF Ltd is a joint venture between SIC Group and Informa Markets. For over three decades, Hong Kong-based APLF Ltd has been providing the global leather and fashion industries with its most important meeting and trading place.

 

About SIC Group (www.sicgroup.com)
SIC Group has been organising international professional events since 1926 for companies working in the leather sector. Its role is to support businesses in their development and offer them work platforms in areas of the world with high potential. With four shows organised each year, SIC Group and its partners can take advantages of expertise that is unique in the world.


About Informa Markets (www.informamarkets.com)

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world’s leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

 

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Clarissa Tse, Marketing Communications Executive
Email: [email protected]

About APLF

We bring leather, material and fashion businesses together: an opportunity to meet and greet face to face. We bring them from all parts of the world so that they can find fresh partners, discover new customers or suppliers and keep ahead of industry developments.

We organise a number of trade exhibitions which focus on fashion and lifestyle: sectors that are constantly in flux, so visitors and exhibitors alike need to be constantly aware both of the changes around them and those forecast for coming seasons.

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