Vietnam's midlands and mountainous areas push for e-commerce development

Narrowing the development gap between regions

On May 24 and 25, the Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Lai Chau Province, held a series of events called: “Promoting Regional Linkages in E-Commerce Development – Elevating Products from the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region.”

The event showcased various digital solutions and regional specialty products, contributing to the advancement of e-commerce and enhancing connections between mountainous localities and the national market.

According to Le Hoang Oanh, Director General of the E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency, e-commerce in Vietnam is experiencing rapid growth, playing an increasingly important role in domestic consumption, business model transformation, and connecting production with markets.

Le Hoang Oanh (second from left), Director General of the E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency, visits an agricultural product booth at the event.

However, she noted that the development gap in e-commerce between regions remains significant. While major urban areas have established relatively complete e-commerce ecosystems, the application of digital technologies in production, distribution, and sales remains limited in many midland and mountainous provinces due to infrastructure challenges, limited human resources, and traditional business practices.

To bridge the digital divide and leverage the unique strengths of each region, promoting regional linkages in e-commerce development has become a key policy direction aligned with the Government’s strategy for digital economic development. E-commerce is not only an effective sales channel but also a driving force for transforming production mindsets, enhancing product value, and sustainably expanding markets.

“The northern midlands and mountainous region is one of the country’s most potential-rich areas, with a diverse cultural and ecological ecosystem and unique resources such as Shan Tuyet tea, Seng Cu rice, mint honey, valuable medicinal herbs, brocade, and traditional handicrafts,” said Oanh.

“This region boasts a rich cultural identity and a strong, resilient community. To fully capitalize on these strengths, we need a robust ‘connective thread’ among regions—and e-commerce is exactly that,” the Director General emphasized.

Practical activities boost e-commerce connectivity

At the event, the E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency organized a wide range of practical and engaging activities, including workshops and in-depth conferences with the participation of experts in e-commerce and digital technology.

Mega livestream sessions were launched via the platform TikTokShop to promote regional products and connect with consumers nationwide. Additionally, training programs and hands-on workshops were held for cooperatives, household businesses, and young entrepreneurs, enabling them to improve their skills and understanding of how to apply technology in digital economic development.

Exhibition area of digital solutions in e-commerce, organized by the E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency.

A highlight of the event was the exhibition of digital technology models and regional specialties, featuring 50 booths. The exhibition not only introduced renowned specialty products from mountainous provinces but also showcased advanced digital solutions tailored to the specific conditions of these localities. These included e-commerce management platforms, online payment tools, and systems supporting online exports—solutions designed to foster digital economic growth and enhance the value of highland specialty products.

At the exhibition, businesses and residents of Lai Chau were introduced to new technological solutions and guided on how to integrate these tools into their business operations to maximize efficiency and product value.