Actively promote domestic consumption.

Amidst a volatile global economy, particularly the imposition of high tariffs by the US on imported goods from several countries, international trade is facing numerous challenges. In light of this, proactively promoting domestic consumption has become a strategic solution to stabilize the market, support businesses, and maintain economic growth.

A Vietnamese product sales point was built with support from the Department of Industry and Trade in the Textile and Garment Urban Area (Nam Dinh city).

Adapting to this trend, the Department of Industry and Trade has proactively implemented various solutions to promote domestic consumption through supporting businesses; stimulating consumer demand and boosting the consumption of Vietnamese goods. The Department has guided businesses to take full advantage of the State's tax policy incentives; business support programs; prioritized administrative reforms, creating favorable conditions for businesses to register promotional programs; expand branches; and improve standard contracts… At the same time, it has requested and guided businesses producing and supplying essential goods in the province to participate in national-level demand stimulation and promotional programs and proactively organize numerous activities to stimulate product consumption throughout the year… to boost sales and increase revenue. Based on this, businesses regularly organize various promotional activities tailored to different product categories, using attractive methods such as discounts, loyalty points, gifts, vouchers, fixed-price sales, special offers for members, or online shopping… to stimulate consumption.

At GO! supermarket in Nam Dinh, since the beginning of the year, a series of promotions and discounts have been implemented to stimulate consumer demand, including regular and rotating promotions and discounts on hundreds of products, mainly in the essential goods category. Currently, the supermarket is running a "Early Market Sale" program offering a 10% discount (including items already on promotion) on all fresh produce purchased between 8 and 10 AM, applicable from Monday to Friday every week. In addition, the supermarket also has many special promotions such as: direct discounts from 10-49%, "buy and get free", and "buy more, save more" on dry goods, processed foods, general merchandise, fashion items, etc. Currently, the unit is developing a plan to organize promotional programs to boost consumer purchasing power in the last months of 2025.

Alongside stimulating consumer demand, the Department of Industry and Trade has also played a key role in guiding consumers to prioritize the use of Vietnamese goods by encouraging businesses and distributors in the province to participate in the "Vietnamese People Prioritize Using Vietnamese Goods" campaign; organizing exhibitions and promotions of Vietnamese-branded products and local strengths; bringing Vietnamese goods to rural areas; and establishing points of identification and sales for Vietnamese goods. This has helped businesses develop their production and business activities and expand their markets; creating conditions for consumers to purchase high-quality products at the most reasonable prices. Through these programs, many businesses producing and supplying goods in the province have used each other's products and services to take advantage of local raw material sources, reduce pressure on production costs, and create opportunities for mutual development. In particular, Minh Duong One-Member Limited Company collaborates with people in Vu Ban, Yen Yen, and Truc Ninh districts to develop corn and potato raw material areas to serve production. Bach Coc Youth Cooperative in Thanh Loi commune (Vu Ban district) uses rock salt products from Southeast Asia Food Processing and Trading Joint Stock Company (Nam Dinh city) as raw material for processing salted apricots.

In addition, the Department of Industry and Trade has focused on removing difficulties and obstacles for local businesses in the production and business process, helping businesses to unblock supply chains and find outlets for their products, contributing to expanding and effectively exploiting the domestic consumer market. Specifically, the department has strengthened the organization of trade transactions and regional trade connections, creating opportunities for businesses in the province to meet, exchange information, and find partners to boost the consumption of quality local products and goods with provinces and cities nationwide. At the same time, it has developed online trade programs on e-commerce platforms with the goal of supporting businesses, cooperatives, and other economic entities in developing goods distribution channels through digital platforms…

Efforts to boost domestic consumption have contributed to stabilizing the market situation in the province and maintaining growth momentum. Total retail sales of goods and services in the first four months of 2025 reached VND 28,601 billion, an increase of 14.8% compared to the same period last year. Of this, retail sales of goods amounted to VND 25,312 billion, accounting for 88.5% of the total and increasing by 14.3% compared to the same period last year. Several product groups showed high growth rates: Food and beverages increased by 23.9%; clothing increased by 19.3%; household goods and equipment increased by 14.6%; cultural and educational items increased by 17.4%; wood and construction materials increased by 5.4%; gasoline and various types of oil increased by 6.2%; other fuels increased by 0.2%; precious stones, precious metals and products increased by 30.8%. Other goods increased by 20.7%. Along with that, the consumption index for the entire manufacturing industry increased by 216.09% compared to the same period last year. Several industries saw a sharp decrease in inventory compared to the same period last year: Paper and paper product manufacturing decreased by 51.90%; food processing decreased by 40.79%; manufacturing of prefabricated metal products (excluding machinery and equipment) decreased by 34.76%; and manufacturing of beds, cabinets, tables, and chairs decreased by 4.74%.

In the coming period, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to strengthen digital transformation to promote trade, encourage green and sustainable consumption, and expand intra-provincial and inter-provincial value chains, aiming to create a healthy, stable, and long-term developing consumer ecosystem.

Text and photos: Nguyen Huong

Source: https://baonamdinh.vn/kinh-te/202505/chu-dong-thuc-daytieu-dung-noi-dia-2c20ad5/