A new milestone for e-commerce.

Vietnam's e-commerce market is projected to reach approximately US$31 billion in 2025, a 25.5% increase, accounting for 10% of total retail sales of goods and services. This information was announced by leaders of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy (Ministry of Industry and Trade) at the conference summarizing the work of 2025 and outlining tasks for 2026, held on the morning of December 24th.

These figures not only demonstrate the rapid expansion of the market but also reflect a new economic component that has clearly taken shape in the growth picture. Having accounted for 10% of total retail sales, e-commerce is no longer simply a convenient shopping channel, but is beginning to directly impact market structure, growth quality, and the demands on economic management capabilities.

A growth rate of over 25% is very impressive given the global economic uncertainty, weakening external demand, and slow recovery of world consumption. This shows that domestic consumption through digital channels has taken firm root, no longer heavily reliant on short-term stimulus packages. At the same time, e-commerce has transcended its supporting role, becoming a substantial part of the modern retail market, with ripple effects on production, logistics, finance, and employment.

Another noteworthy point is that e-commerce is beginning to be seen as a channel supporting exports, contributing, albeit modestly, to the economy's trade surplus. Cross-border e-commerce models, selling directly from manufacturers to international consumers, are opening up new avenues for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a group that has faced many barriers in traditional exports. In the long term, this could become an important supplementary channel to diversify markets and enhance the value of Vietnamese goods in the digital space.

With a market size of $31 billion, e-commerce has moved beyond its "experimental" phase. This market demands a commensurate institutional framework, infrastructure, and market discipline. In reality, many small businesses and households are facing increasing pressure from the costs of discounts, advertising, and logistics on e-commerce platforms. Small sellers have weak bargaining power, while their dependence on a few large platforms is growing. Without appropriate regulatory mechanisms, e-commerce risks becoming centralized, weakening the domestic business ecosystem.

At the macro level, gaps in tax administration, fair competition between online and traditional businesses, personal data protection, and consumer rights have not been addressed consistently. When the scale is small, these shortcomings may not be apparent. But as e-commerce accounts for 10% of total retail sales, the risks of revenue loss, distorted competition, and erosion of market trust will become increasingly apparent.

In this context, the recent passage of the E-commerce Law by the National Assembly at its Tenth Session is of pivotal significance. The law not only updates the legal framework for a rapidly growing sector but also aims to better protect consumer rights, enhance the responsibility of market participants, and align with best practices in digital platform management.

More importantly, the E-commerce Law is expected to reshape the market order, creating a more transparent and balanced playing field between platforms, sellers, and consumers. When the responsibilities of e-commerce platforms are clarified, and standards for information transparency, data protection, and dispute resolution are enhanced, market trust will be strengthened – a prerequisite for the sustainable development of e-commerce.

With a market size of $31 billion, e-commerce is facing the need to shift from rapid growth to in-depth development. The serious and consistent implementation of the E-commerce Law will determine whether this sector will only grow rapidly in scale, or truly become a long-term foundation for the growth, productivity, and competitiveness of the economy.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/dau-moc-moi-cua-thuong-mai-dien-tu-10401690.html