Digital Transformation: Opening the Door to the Market

In the digital age, digital transformation has been, is and will be an inevitable trend for all economic sectors; in which, digital transformation in trade promotion is becoming the "key" to help erase geographical distances, directly connecting businesses with domestic and international consumers.

Content creators help Hung Yen farmers sell longan and OCOP agricultural products on TikTok. Photo: Dinh Van Nhieu/VNA

Recently, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 18/CT-TTg dated June 18 on promoting domestic and foreign trade promotion solutions; in which, the key content is to promote trade promotion on digital platforms, reduce dependence on traditional methods and expand export markets through trade agreements. Accordingly, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to coordinate with ministries, branches and localities to organize large-scale online trade promotion programs, support businesses to improve digital skills, use digital marketing tools, big data and AI to effectively exploit international markets.

According to experts, digital transformation in trade promotion includes the use of information technology platforms, e-commerce, big data and artificial intelligence to organize and implement promotional activities, introduce products, connect trade and find business partners. This is a method to help businesses reach customers faster, at lower costs and more flexibly than the traditional model.

In fact, by early 2025, up to 32% of small and medium-sized enterprises had established business relationships with foreign partners through online platforms. Cross-border e-commerce is becoming a mainstream trend, especially when platforms such as Amazon, Alibaba, Shopee Global... facilitate Vietnamese goods to reach global consumers quickly and effectively.

BaKa Company Limited (Gia Lai), a specialty coffee producer, is one of the leading companies in applying digital technology to trade promotion. In addition to building a website to introduce products, this company also invests in making promotional videos and creating booths on e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada, Postmart. In particular, livestream sales activities are organized periodically every week, combining the introduction of a closed production process and direct incentives for customers, bringing revenue growth of more than 30% compared to before.

Similarly, Nam Yang Agricultural and Service Cooperative (Gia Lai) also promoted black pepper and white pepper products through social networking platforms, online fairs and e-commerce promotion programs. Thanks to technical support from the Department of Industry and Trade of Gia Lai and partners, the cooperative has completed electronic traceability records, creating separate QR codes for each product line, helping consumers easily check the origin and quality certification.

Ms. Do Thi Gam - Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Ngoc Tra Ecological Medicinal Herbs Cooperative (Nam Dinh) said: Thanks to being trained in livestream skills and impressive product introduction, we have attracted a large number of new customers in many provinces and cities in the region. Currently, on average, the cooperative sells over 100 kg per month, with peak months reaching 200 kg. Therefore, the cooperative is continuing to hone its trade promotion and sales skills on digital platforms to improve production and business efficiency.

Not only retail, some businesses also connect directly with domestic and foreign partners through virtual fair platforms, online B2B, and search for partners through industry and trade data systems. The use of tools to analyze consumer trends and customer behavior from the platform is also exploited by some pioneering businesses, serving appropriate product development strategies.

Realizing the potential of e-commerce, Hena Agricultural Cooperative (Dak Lak) - specializing in the production, processing and trading of essential oils and cold-pressed oils - has focused on developing business on digital technology platforms. Accordingly, the cooperative has built a brand and effectively operated on social networking and e-commerce platforms, helping the cooperative reach many new customers and sign many contracts to link production and product consumption with large domestic and foreign enterprises such as Malaysia, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Australia.

Mr. Van Quoc Viet, Director of Ngon Avatar LLC said: Previously, to promote products, the company had to participate in provincial fairs, Central Highlands fairs or connect through dealer channels. But now, all you need is a phone and a stable connection to introduce coffee products directly to consumers nationwide. Costs are reduced while efficiency is significantly increased.

Not only is it an individual effort of enterprises, the digital transformation process in trade promotion in Gia Lai also has the active support of state management agencies, especially the Gia Lai Department of Industry and Trade. Recently, the Gia Lai Department of Industry and Trade coordinated with the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM) and TikTok Shop to organize a training program on AI application in marketing and business activities; building a sales system on an e-commerce platform.

In order to support businesses, a representative of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said: In the coming time, the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy will continue to promote training, especially through online forms to suit business conditions. Upcoming programs will be designed to be practical around four pillars: Go Online, Go Export, Go AI, Go Right.

Mr. Vu Ba Phu - Director of the Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade) emphasized: The change in the world and regional situation brings both advantages and opportunities, difficulties and challenges intertwined, posing many new requirements in trade promotion. Therefore, trade promotion in the coming time will be flexible, combining traditional and modern trade promotion, associated with e-commerce and digital economy.

In particular, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will focus on investing in digital transformation to improve the effectiveness of trade promotion, thereby enhancing communication, promotion, and enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese branded products and goods. This is a golden opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises, especially cooperatives and small and medium enterprises, to have more arms to extend to the world market.

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/4/174608/chuyen-doi-so-mo-rong-canh-cua-thi-truong