Peace Mark on the New Service Map

Nearly 50 years after the country was reunited, the lands that were once a great rear base for the Southern battlefield are blossoming with new vitality. No longer a "lowland" of services, Hoa Binh has made a breakthrough in the past three years with unique commercial models: highland night markets, walking streets, logistics centers associated with local agricultural products... On the background of purple sim hills, among the undulating corn fields, trade and services are creeping in, awakening the whole land and the people's mindset. It is a silent revolution but deep enough to engrave Hoa Binh's name on the Northwest service economic map.

For Peace Supermarket in Tan Thinh ward is one of the first supermarkets established in Hoa Binh city, making a great contribution to the total retail sales of the province.

In the first quarter of 2025, the total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue of Hoa Binh province is estimated to reach VND20,108 billion, up 13.7% over the same period. This is the highest growth rate in the past three years - an indication that domestic consumption is recovering strongly, leading to a series of changes in trade and service activities.

In the Hoa Binh city area, the model of "commercial street combined with tourism " has begun to take shape, with specialized stores and food and beverage chains springing up to replace the rows of closed, quiet houses. Ms. Bui Anh Hong, owner of a modern beverage shop in Phuong Lam ward, shared: "I didn't expect that the small shop would become a familiar check-in place for young people and tourists. Compared to last year, revenue increased by about 30%, I clearly feel the revival and development of trade and services on this land."

Not only in urban areas, the transformation of the rural market is more evident than ever. Cao Phong market, where retail and fragmented trade used to be, now has specialized OCOP stalls, product QR code scanning points, and even cashless POS machines. The spread of e-commerce is demonstrated by the province maintaining sales activities on the Hoa Binh e-commerce platform, despite many challenges in terms of seasonality and products.

Tourism continues to be the "leading bird" in the service sector. In the first quarter of 2025, the whole province welcomed 1.65 million visitors, an increase of 5.8% over the same period, with revenue reaching 1,680 billion VND. Notably, the number of international visitors reached 230 thousand, showing that the province's efforts to promote and connect with foreign markets have initially been effective. The Hoa Binh tourism brand is gradually positioning itself in association with identity and experience factors. Not only a resort destination, Hoa Binh is aiming to become an attractive cultural - ecological destination.

A series of programs such as developing the Hoa Binh Lake National Tourism Area, cooperating with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi , digital transformation in travel and accommodation... have been creating a strong push. Many young businesses and local people have boldly participated in the service market: from Muong village homestays to self-organized trekking tours...

Although trade and services are flourishing, Hoa Binh still faces some bottlenecks, such as small market size, limited logistics capacity and e-commerce platform operations in the province... However, the province's orientation is very clear. The Provincial People's Committee has issued a tourism development plan for 2025, is submitting for approval a support mechanism for the 2026-2030 period, and is promoting digital transformation in consumption and trade. Supporting start-up businesses, connecting the consumption-production chain and building local trade infrastructure will be the three pillars for trade and services to become a "new growth spearhead".

Comrade Duong Quoc Thang, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, affirmed: We do not chase after numbers. What is needed is to create a unique commercial network, localized services, serving the people of Hoa Binh before conquering tourists and markets outside the province.

Although there is still much work to be done, the positive signals in trade and services today are opening up great expectations for a Hoa Binh that confidently enters a new "game": competing with identity, developing with experience.

Minh Vu

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/12/200540/Dauan-Hoa-Binh-tren-ban-do-dich-vu-moi.htm