Hanoi boosts e-commerce adoption in farm produce sales

Hanoi aims to further step up the adoption of e-commerce in farm produce consumption, targeting sustainable development of the local agricultural sector in the technological era, said Acting Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan.

Farm produce available on e-commerce platforms. Photo: Ha Phuong/The Hanoi Times

"E-commerce platforms serve as a safe and efficient channel for product consumption and play a crucial role in developing brand identities," said Lan.

In reality, businesses are now taking the initiative to showcase on e-commerce platforms their products, especially agricultural goods, One Commune One Product (OCOP) items, and distinctive regional specialties from various Vietnamese localities.

These include products such as Luc Ngan lychee from Bac Giang, Me Linh guava from Hanoi, Vinh Chau purple onions from Soc Trang, Bac Ha Tam Hoa plums from Lao Cai, and fragrant green pumpkins from Bac Kan.

Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, Deputy Director of Hanoi Promotion Center (HPA), points out that in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by the increasing presence of the digital economy, businesses should integrate themselves into the evolving digital ecosystem.

"The younger generation of consumers rely heavily on digital platforms and e-commerce for their buying and selling activities," said Anh.

Anh emphasized the importance of mastering and effectively utilizing e-commerce for business operations, consumption, and optimal promotion of products alongside traditional distribution channels.

Lan from the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, however, noted that presently, the number of agricultural products sold on e-commerce platforms remains relatively low. Many organizations and individuals are new to these platforms, leading to challenges such as inadequate store management, inconsistent pricing with market fluctuations, and inconsistent strategy in using digital platforms.

Additionally, methods such as live streaming sales and active participation on e-commerce platforms are not yet widely implemented.

Trinh Thanh Thuy, former Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Strategy and Policy for Industry and Trade, said to tap into e-commerce as a sales channel effectively, businesses should leverage the advantages presented by Vietnam's youthful population, relatively high technological literacy and the rapid consumer transition towards adopting new technologies.

"For instance, implementing technologies such as chatbots or facial recognition for electronic customer identification can simplify and expedite operations in Vietnam. By doing so, businesses can harness the immense potential of this market," said Thuy.

Thuy further emphasized the importance for businesses to focus on developing and investing in online marketing, advertising, and branding efforts.

"Investing in building a strong brand presence and enhancing digital marketing skills are essential investments that can propel businesses forward in the digital transformation era," Thuy continued.

The Industry and Trade Department's representative stressed the significance of bringing agricultural products onto e-commerce platforms to stimulate digital economic growth. This, in turn, will enhance production and business efficiency while ensuring a stable supply of essential goods for the people of Hanoi.

Lan also highlighted the city's commitment to strengthening coordination for training in digital skills and educating cooperatives and farmers on aspects such as packaging, connectivity, delivery, and operational processes on e-commerce platforms. The aim is to encourage innovation in e-commerce trading methods.

Dang Hoang Hai, Director of the Department of E-Commerce and Digital Economy, stated that the agency will collaborate with e-commerce platforms to implement the "Program to support businesses in applying e-commerce" called GoOnline.gov.vn.

This initiative aims to assist 200,000 businesses in adopting e-commerce applications, including digital software transformation, electronic payment solutions, and establishing multi-channel sales networks. These efforts will be ongoing until the end of 2025.