The third "Online Friday," also known as "Online Shopping Day 2016," is expected to record sales worth more than VNĐ1 trillion (US$44.4 million), a senior government official has said. — File Photo

HÀ NỘI — The third "Online Friday," also known as "Online Shopping Day 2016," is expected to record sales worth more than VNĐ1 trillion (US$44.4 million), a senior government official has said.

The forthcoming shopping event, which is slated for December 2, is scheduled to attract over 3,000 businesses with 200,000 discounted products, Lại Việt Anh, deputy director of Việt Nam E-Commerce and Information Technology Agency (VECITA) that is under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said.

Anh said in the press meeting held in Hà Nội yesterday that this has been the biggest online shopping event in the country.

On Online Friday, consumers who make online purchases enjoy special discounts, free shipping of items, and other incentives from participating businesses.

"The event aims to improve people’s awareness about e-commerce. In addition, this would be an opportunity for businesses to implement their e-commerce, thus increasing sales," she added.

She noted this year’s online Friday would have larger participation from producers and importers together with e-commerce enterprises, including banks, delivery companies, and online sales shops.

VECITA and Việt Nam E-commerce Association (VECOM), the event’s organisers, have been building and implementing strict registration process and enhancing post-check-ups to ensure product quality in the online Friday.

"Any business violating regulations during Online Friday will be removed from the programme immediately and will have to issue refunds to buyers as well as receive an administrative fine of VNĐ300 million," she said.

Electronics products, houseware, fashion and tourism, and big brands from e-commerce websites such as Adayroi, Tiki, Lazada, and Sendo, in addition to DKT and Hotdeal, would be participating. Logistics companies such as Viettel Post and VNPost, and omni channels including Nguyễn Kim, and Thế giới di động, along with Samsung, OPPO, and Napas would also be a part.

During the event, the ministry would also organise the Autumn Online Shopping Day 2016 on September 30, and BigOff from December 1 to 3. A forum on developing Việt Nam’s e-commerce would also be organised in HCM City in November.

During the first Online Friday, traders had recorded sales worth VNĐ154 billion ($7.23 million), the agency noted, and added that more than 1,000 traders showcasing 3,226 products had participated in the shopping event.

Last year, the event attracted over 2,500 businesses with 15,000 promotions and total sales of VNĐ500 billion, which was three times that of 2014. — VNS