This proposal was put forward by Ms. Le Hong Thuy Tien, General Director of the Inter Pacific Group (IPPG), at the seminar "Unlocking Purchasing Power, Stimulating Consumer Demand" organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper on May 22nd.
According to Ms. Le Hong Thuy Tien, data from the General Statistics Office shows that in 2024, Vietnam's tourism service exports reached US$12.19 billion, while tourism service imports amounted to US$12.57 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of nearly US$400 million. Therefore, Vietnam needs to quickly define tourism trade as a form of "on-site export," transforming shopping into a driving force for demand stimulation and retaining added value domestically.
Ms. Le Hong Thuy Tien suggested that it is necessary to develop a system of duty-free shops and outlets (official brand stores) that meet standards with year-round discount policies, while increasing support for domestic businesses to create a shopping attraction for tourists.
From a tourism perspective, Mr. Tran The Dung, General Director of Vietluxtour, noted that tourists are a major source of spending, but Vietnam has yet to retain that capital. Although the number of tourists is expected to increase significantly in 2025, many travel businesses are hesitant to include shopping destinations in their itineraries due to a lack of shopping malls, retail areas, and a standardized service ecosystem.
According to him, it's crucial to build trust with tourists through product quality, transparent pricing, and a compelling brand story. When the shopping system is attractive enough, tourism spending will increase significantly, rather than focusing solely on accommodation and food.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thang, Deputy General Director of Saigon Co.op , said that domestic consumption remains an important pillar of economic growth. In the first four months of 2026, total retail sales of goods and services increased by 11.1%; if price factors are excluded, the increase reached 6.3%, indicating significant market potential.
However, according to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thang, consumers are now more selective in their spending, prioritizing real value and product quality. Therefore, to effectively stimulate demand, businesses need to focus on reasonable prices, guaranteed quality, and transparent product origins to strengthen consumer trust.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tphcm-can-mo-them-cua-hang-mua-sam-mien-thue-post853926.html
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