A small enterprise in Tây Ninh Province. For start-ups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), digital tools offer opportunities to connect directly with international consumers. —VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Industry and Trade has launched a programme to help young Vietnamese businesses strengthen their digital capabilities, adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and expand into international markets through cross-border e-commerce.

The programme, launched on October 19, aims to help start-ups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) make better use of digital tools to reach international consumers, build brands and improve competitiveness.

As global trade enters a new phase of development, digital transformation, AI and cross-border e-commerce are becoming important drivers of business growth, enabling companies to reach new markets and expand their global presence.

However, businesses need more than quality products to capitalise on these opportunities. They also require knowledge and capabilities in market research, technology, branding, supply chains, logistics, payments and cross-border operations.

The programme was launched by the ministry's Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency, Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and Agency of Foreign Trade, in cooperation with the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM) and Amazon, Công thương (Industry and Trade) newspaper reported.

It is designed to implement the National E-commerce Development Master Plan for 2026-30 and the programme supporting Vietnamese businesses in expanding into international markets over the same period.

The programme aims to provide specialised support to at least 100 businesses by 2030, particularly young enterprises with promising products and experience in domestic e-commerce that are seeking to reach international markets.

Support will be tailored to local economic strengths and focus on key cross-border business capabilities, including market research, product selection, branding, logistics, payments, digital operations and AI applications to improve productivity.

Lê Hoàng Oanh, head of the ministry's Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency said: "Exporting through e-commerce presents significant opportunities, but it requires knowledge and skills that many businesses have not had the opportunity to acquire.

"I believe this programme will equip young entrepreneurs with practical tools to confidently enter international markets."

Larry Hu, managing director of Amazon Global Selling for Southeast Asia, said young entrepreneurs were helping Việt Nam strengthen its position in global value chains.

"With a solid manufacturing base, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and robust government support, we believe more and more young Vietnamese entrepreneurs will build internationally recognised brands," he said.

The programme targets businesses with promising products that already have experience selling online domestically and are looking to reach international consumers. Photo chinhphu.vn

Đoàn Việt Dũng, vice-chairman of the Hanoi Young Entrepreneurs Association (HANOIBA) and chairman of its Global E-commerce Alliance, highlighted the accessibility and potential of e-commerce to create more equal opportunities for businesses.

"Young businesses can now find it relatively easy to pursue exports through e-commerce platforms," Dũng said.

"They can remain in Việt Nam while actively researching international markets and identifying products that meet overseas demand."

He added that exporting through these platforms could significantly reduce administrative and documentation barriers.

Dũng also highlighted the programme's practical, hands-on approach, saying it would help young businesses translate government policies and regulations into concrete action.

Trần Văn Trọng of VECOM said young businesses had advantages in flexibility, creativity and technological adaptability. These strengths could help them expand into new markets at optimised costs and narrow the competitive gap with large corporations when operating in the digital environment.

Trần Quý Hiến, CEO of Ecomstone Vietnam, identified some key factors for success on international e-commerce platforms. Of which, businesses must prepare thoroughly to comply with regulations in their target markets.

They should focus on customer demand, selling what the market needs rather than simply what they have available.

Besides that, they need a long-term financial plan, including access to loans on preferential terms and interest rates through banks and supportive government policies.

Việt Nam’s e-commerce sector grew tenfold over the past decade to reach US$38.5 billion in 2025, with cross-border B2C (business-to-consumer) trade at about $4.5 billion, highlighting significant room for further growth, particularly given the country’s young, tech-savvy and entrepreneurial workforce. — VNS