Bringing the market in...

At the program, delegates assessed the achievements of the Ministry of Industry and Trade after 15 years of implementing the campaign; shared lessons learned, and proposed mechanisms and policies to promote the campaign, making the domestic market a solid "defense line," a "support base," and one of the important drivers of economic growth.

Cultivating internal strengths

The "Vietnamese People Prioritize Using Vietnamese Goods" campaign was launched in 2009 following Conclusion No. 264-TB/TW of the Politburo , in the context of the global economic crisis severely impacting Vietnam's economy. At that time, a segment of Vietnamese consumers had a preference for foreign goods; and manufacturing sectors faced numerous difficulties. The goal of the campaign was to "promote patriotism, self-reliance, self-strength, and national pride to build a consumer culture, while simultaneously boosting economic production and exporting Vietnamese goods abroad."

Following the directives of the Party and the State, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has coordinated with ministries, departments, and localities to implement the campaign comprehensively. This includes focusing on five key areas: (i) Disseminating the Party and Government's policies and guidelines for the campaign; (ii) Reviewing policies supporting manufacturing and business enterprises; (iii) Honoring outstanding enterprises and selecting quality products; (iv) Strengthening market inspection and control; and (v) Enhancing the responsibility of agencies and organizations in protecting consumer rights.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has proactively advised and issued policies to promote the implementation of the campaign. These include projects, programs, and strategies such as: the Project on Developing the Domestic Market in conjunction with the "Vietnamese People Prioritize Using Vietnamese Goods" campaign; the "Developing Domestic Trade" strategy; the Project on "Promoting Vietnamese Enterprises' Direct Participation in Foreign Distribution Networks"; the National Trade Promotion Program; the National Industrial Promotion Program, etc. In particular, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has developed many mechanisms and policies to promote the development of fundamental industries such as energy, processing, manufacturing, chemicals, and new materials, aiming to build a self-reliant and modern industrial base. It supports strong economic groups to play a leading role in industrial sectors and assists small businesses to form a complete industrial ecosystem in the future.

In this favorable business environment, many enterprises have proactively invested in developing import-substituting products, fostering a competitive culture based on product quality. Local authorities have organized numerous activities to connect the consumption of Vietnamese goods, linking the campaign with market stabilization efforts. Modern distribution systems prioritize the distribution of Vietnamese goods. Particularly in recent years, support for the consumption of Vietnamese goods on e-commerce platforms has been implemented systematically and on a large scale. Market inspection and control, consumer protection, and information dissemination have become increasingly effective.

Achievements of the Party's will and the people's aspirations.

Despite extremely difficult circumstances, the campaign has contributed to the excellent achievement of economic targets, focusing on controlling inflation and stabilizing the macroeconomy. Total retail sales and services have consistently grown by around 10% year-on-year since 2009; the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which peaked at 19.8% in 2008, has fallen below 5% since 2014. The trade deficit has decreased, moving towards a continuous trade surplus since 2016; Vietnamese goods account for a relatively high percentage in distribution channels, over 80% in supermarkets and 60% or more in traditional retail channels. Strong economic groups are gradually being formed, leading various industrial sectors.

Many domestic supply chains have been formed: electricity, LNG, electronics, steel, textiles and fashion, leather and footwear, wood products, etc. Vietnam also participates in global supply chains through FDI enterprises. According to a VCCI survey, in 2023, 63.3% of FDI enterprises used input goods and services from Vietnamese enterprises, much higher than the 12.4% in 2010. The proportion of the processing and manufacturing industry in GDP has increased rapidly and sustainably over the years. Vietnam has risen to become one of the countries with a relatively high level of global industrial competitiveness, ranking 44th in the world in 2018 and 30th in 2021.

For the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the campaign not only contributes to educating Vietnamese people about self-reliance, self-strength, and national pride in production and consumption; not only supports many good models and examples in research, application of advanced technology, management innovation, and affirming the position of Vietnamese goods in domestic and international markets, but more importantly, it also gradually forms the apparatus and methods of organization and resource mobilization, making the domestic market one of the key drivers of growth, a solid line of defense for the economy, and contributing to ensuring social security when the world market fluctuates and the supply is disrupted.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stated: After 15 years of implementation, thanks to the close attention and guidance of the Party and State leaders; the active and effective participation of central and local ministries, departments, and organizations; and the proactive and outstanding efforts of the business community, the campaign has achieved many positive results, attracting special attention from the business community, domestic consumers, and overseas Vietnamese, contributing to the effective exploitation of the domestic market, strengthening endogenous capacity, enhancing competitiveness, promoting economic growth, maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, and ensuring the major balances of the economy.

The Minister stated: "The campaign has attracted special attention from the business community, domestic consumers, and Vietnamese people abroad, contributing to the effective exploitation of the domestic market, strengthening endogenous capacity, enhancing competitiveness, promoting economic growth, maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, and ensuring the major balances of the economy."

Through this campaign, consumers both domestically and internationally have gained a better understanding of the production and business capabilities of Vietnamese enterprises and the quality of Vietnamese products, goods, and services. Vietnamese enterprises have also raised their awareness of the importance of the domestic market, thereby focusing on improving quality, upgrading technology, production lines, business methods, and building, developing, and protecting brands. The market approach of enterprises has also become more systematic and effective, so domestic and international consumers increasingly appreciate the quality and reputation of Vietnamese brands.

Highly appreciating the achievements of the Ministry of Industry and Trade after 15 years of implementing the Campaign, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, To Thi Bich Chau, stated: "Over the past 15 years, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has been very decisive in its leadership and direction, with many innovations in the implementation process; closely coordinating with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other political and social organizations to comprehensively and widely disseminate the Campaign in units and localities. In particular, the corporations and general companies in the sector and units under the Ministry have actively responded to and implemented the Campaign according to their assigned functions and tasks. At the same time, they have built a nationwide network and continue to maintain their core role to this day."

To make the results of the campaign even more comprehensive.

On behalf of the Government, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long highly appreciated, commended, and warmly congratulated the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the important results achieved in implementing the campaign, contributing to the overall development achievements of the country.

"The Ministry of Industry and Trade has made many efforts, shown creativity, and seriously and systematically implemented the campaign, achieving positive results," the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed.

In this new stage of development, with the trend of globalization and increasingly deep international integration, in order to achieve more comprehensive results in the "Vietnamese People Prioritize Using Vietnamese Goods" campaign at all levels and sectors in general, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade in particular, and to further improve the quality, design, and price of Vietnamese goods so that they truly attract domestic and foreign consumers, the Deputy Prime Minister proposed continuing to thoroughly disseminate and promote the campaign. This aims to awaken the patriotic spirit, self-reliance, intelligence, courage, responsibility, and aspiration of Vietnamese people in the production, business, promotion, and use of Vietnamese goods; and to continue creating a real transformation in the awareness and actions of all levels, sectors, businesses, and people in implementing the campaign.

Regarding the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Deputy Prime Minister requested:

(i) Continue to strengthen the organization and improve the quality of operation of the Steering Committee for the Action Program in response to the "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods" campaign, and further promote the leadership and guidance role of Party committees at all levels in responding to the campaign.

(ii) Research and draw lessons from practical experience to achieve even stronger breakthroughs in the implementation of the Campaign, further enhancing the quality and reputation of Vietnamese goods in both domestic and foreign markets, especially in markets where Vietnam has signed Free Trade Agreements.

(iii) Promote trade promotion programs and activities, product advertising, and supply-demand linkages; improve market management efficiency, combat smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods... Strengthen the application of information technology, develop e-commerce and modern trade channels, and harmonize them with traditional trade and distribution activities.

(3) Suggestions for businesses: Continue to research, proactively innovate technology, apply scientific and technical advancements to improve the quality of goods, products and services, ensuring the best quality and the most suitable prices. Focus on building brands, promoting advertising; developing distribution channels to bring products to consumers.

Along with the analyses, conclusions, and guidance from leaders and experts, the practical stories of exemplary businesses and localities shared at the Gala in three discussion sessions: "Proud of Vietnamese Goods - A Journey of Aspiration"; "The Mission of Vietnamese Goods in the Era of National Resilience"; and "Vietnamese Goods - The Story of a Thousand-Year-Old Nation's Strength," once again ignited pride and aspirations for the development of production, business, and consumption of Vietnamese goods. Over 500 delegates attending the program, representing units in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, shared a common determination: to maximize the spirit of "self-reliance, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-strength, and national pride," as directed by General Secretary To Lam, to bring Vietnamese goods into the "Era of National Resilience."

The Gala celebrating 15 years of the Industry and Trade sector's implementation of the "Vietnamese People Prioritize Using Vietnamese Goods" campaign, launched by the Politburo, was a resounding success. The Industry and Trade Magazine, the Domestic Market Department, the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Office, Hanoi Beer, Wine and Beverage Joint Stock Corporation, Saigon Beer, Wine and Beverage Joint Stock Corporation, Lam Thao Superphosphate and Chemical Joint Stock Company, and many other units within the Industry and Trade sector were honored to receive commemorative awards from the program.

Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/hoat-dong/hoat-dong-cua-lanh-dao-bo/15-nam-thuc-hien-cuoc-van-dong-nguoi-viet-nam-uu-tien-dung-hang-viet-nam-dua-thi-truong-trong-nuoc-tro-thanh-tuyen-phong.html