Amid global disruptions and rising regional e-commerce, Vietnam emerges as a key player in cross-border digital trade, leveraging government policies, infrastructure, and innovation to boost its role in international markets in 2024.
Amid shifting global supply chains and a surging e-commerce market in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is emerging as a promising player in cross-border digital trade, supported by robust government policies, advancing infrastructure, and a youthful, tech-savvy workforce. In 2024, the Southeast Asian region’s e-commerce transactions exceeded $100 billion, with Vietnam alone contributing an estimated $25 billion in retail revenue, reflecting its rapid digital economy expansion and growing capacity in international value chains.
At the YUGEEKS 2025 Global Supply Chain Summit in Hanoi, Nguyen Huu Tuan, director of the Centre for E-commerce and Digital Technology Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, highlighted the evolving global disruptions as strategic openings for Vietnamese enterprises to deepen participation in supply chains. He emphasised that developing high-quality supply chains is crucial to bridging domestic production with international consumption, a shift that could transform Vietnam into a globally competitive manufacturing hub.
The government’s role in facilitating this transformation is significant, with recent policy frameworks providing a comprehensive foundation. Key among them are Resolution No.57-NQ/TW on advancing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, and Resolution No.68-NQ/TW aimed at private sector development. Complementary to these is a draft strategy targeting logistics service development up to 2030 and envisioning growth through 2050. These policies collectively seek to modernise and synchronise infrastructure investment, optimise the business environment, enhance enterprise competitiveness, and integrate green transition principles alongside workforce training.
YUGEEKS, for instance, stands out as a pioneering example by integrating AI-driven product selection systems and cloud-based logistics management, facilitating Vietnamese factories’ international outreach while attracting foreign investments aligned with the government’s open-door cooperation ethos.
Vietnam’s progress is also evident at strategic border points such as Lang Son province, a critical gateway for Vietnam-China cross-border e-commerce. There, digital transformation efforts include smart border gates and improved logistics infrastructure, enabling a high volume of successful transactions and substantial product listings on e-commerce platforms, enhancing the fluidity and efficiency of international trade.
Further government-backed initiatives boost Vietnamese businesses’ global presence, including a recently inked three-year partnership between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) and Amazon Global Selling Vietnam. This collaboration is designed to accelerate e-commerce exports by supporting enterprises in navigating global digital marketplaces.
In addition to fostering supply chain connectivity, Vietnam is prioritising regulatory refinement to better govern cross-border e-commerce. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is preparing a draft law intended to harmonise the legal framework governing e-commerce activities, particularly focusing on decentralising state management and enhancing supervision of digital platforms.
Reflecting the sector’s vigorous growth, Vietnam’s B2C e-commerce market recorded an 18-20% increase in the first ten months of 2024, with projections suggesting the market will surpass $25 billion by 2025. This expansion benefits from foreign supplier participation, enhanced e-commerce infrastructure standards, and the promotion of cashless payment models, key drivers in elevating trade fluidity and consumer convenience.
Training and capacity-building initiatives also form a critical component of Vietnam’s strategy. Government and private sector partnerships are investing in digital skills development to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to harness the full potential of cross-border e-commerce. For instance, the Ministry of Information and Communications has rolled out Decision No. 36/QD-TTg to expand digital infrastructure from 2021 to 2030, underpinning efforts to integrate SMEs into the global digital economy.
The Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM) is actively working alongside entities like Amazon Global Selling to further expand online export routes. Forums such as the ‘Cross-border E-commerce Forum 2024’ articulate policy directions and practical solutions to assist Vietnamese companies in adapting to digital transformation and seizing opportunities in international e-commerce exports.
Collectively, these developments position Vietnam not only to enhance its role in regional and global supply chains but also to elevate its national brands on the international stage. Through sustained government support, innovative supply chain models, and a growing digital ecosystem, Vietnamese businesses are increasingly poised to capitalise on cross-border e-commerce as a catalyst for broader economic integration and growth.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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