North promotes e-commerce development: Enhancing connectivity between localities and digital technology enterprises

Within the framework of the programme “Promoting e-commerce development in the northern region”, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Thai Nguyen province and relevant agencies and units, held the opening session at the Thai Nguyen Provincial Cultural Center, featuring a range of practical and effective activities.

With the message “Innovation - Connection - Spreading the value of Vietnamese goods”, the programme aims to promote the role of e-commerce in expanding markets, supporting product consumption, enhancing the value of Vietnamese goods, and strengthening linkages among northern localities. It also serves as a concrete activity to connect state management agencies, local authorities, digital platform enterprises, technology service providers, training institutions, cooperatives, business households, and other market participants in developing e-commerce.

The signing ceremony: A highlight in connecting digital resources for localities

One of the key highlights of the opening session was the signing ceremony between Departments of Industry and Trade in the northern region and enterprises, organisations providing digital technology, e-commerce and payment services, local businesses, and training institutions.

The signing ceremony between Departments of Industry and Trade in the northern region and enterprises, organisations providing digital technology, e-commerce and payment services, local businesses, and training institutions. — The signing reflects the spirit of cooperation and coordination among state management agencies, local authorities, and enterprises in promoting e-commerce development in a practical, effective, and sustainable manner. Through these cooperation contents, the parties aim to support enterprises, cooperatives, and business households in bringing their products onto online platforms; organising training in digital skills, livestreaming skills, store operation, and digital branding; connecting digital payment services; and implementing promotional, digital communication, and product consumption programmes on e-commerce platforms.

The signing marks an initial step toward establishing concrete coordination mechanisms between northern localities and digital solution providers. Localities in the region will not only jointly promote products but also gradually share resources, connect products, coordinate on a regional basis, collaborate in training, and leverage digital platforms and support services to expand markets for Vietnamese goods.

Also on the morning of April 23, the programme hosted a seminar titled “Comprehensive solutions to promote the consumption of Vietnamese goods via e-commerce in northern provinces”. The session facilitated exchanges among state management agencies, local authorities, associations, platform enterprises, digital technology service providers, training institutions, and the business community.

*Le Hoang Oanh, Director of the Vietnam e-commerce and digital economy agency moderates the seminar.*

Discussions focused on practical issues in local e-commerce development, including solutions to help local products better reach consumers in the digital environment; improving e-commerce operational capacity for enterprises, cooperatives, and business households; developing digital payment and communication; building local product brands; training digital human resources; and strengthening coordination among provinces and cities in promoting the consumption of Vietnamese goods through e-commerce.

*Business representatives raises questions regarding challenges in participating in e-commerce.*

*Business representatives proposes and recommends that state agencies support the adoption of e-commerce.*

Through the seminar, the programme not only provided one-way information but also created a platform for substantive dialogue among stakeholders. This serves as an important channel for state management agencies to grasp realities, synthesise needs, difficulties, and obstacles faced by localities and enterprises, thereby providing a basis for research, policy formulation, and the improvement of support mechanisms for e-commerce development in line with practical conditions.

Promoting local products through digital methods

Before and during the opening session, delegates visited exhibition booths showcasing typical products from northern provinces and cities and observed livestream sessions promoting local products. The exhibition space featured a wide range of agricultural products, regional specialties, OCOP products, craft village items, and goods with strong potential for development in the digital environment.

*A livestream session within the programme.*

Exhibition, livestreaming, and promotional activities demonstrated the combination of local values with modern market approaches. Through digital platforms, local products are not only introduced within the event space but can also reach a broader consumer base beyond traditional geographical boundaries.

Notably, mega livestreams and livestream sessions at exhibition booths helped bring products from northern provinces and cities closer to consumers through vivid, interactive formats. This provides concrete evidence of the application of digital technology in promoting and consuming local products, while advancing digital transformation in commercial activities.

Opportunities to access the e-commerce support ecosystem

Through the programme, northern localities have greater opportunities to access an e-commerce support ecosystem, including digital platforms, payment solutions, communication services, training, and technology. This forms an important foundation for gradually establishing a regional network for e-commerce development, helping enterprises, cooperatives, and business households enhance competitiveness and expand consumption markets.