HO CHI MINH CITY’S 2025 PLAN: BOOSTING E-COMMERCE AND SUPPORTING SMES

HO CHI MINH CITY SUPPORTS BUSINESSES TO BOOST SALES ON E-COMMERCE PLATFORMS

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Nguyen Van Dung, has officially signed and issued the 2025 E-Commerce Development Plan. This strategic roadmap aims to enhance business competitiveness, promote the digital economy, and build a transparent, safe, and efficient e-commerce (EC) environment that benefits both enterprises and consumers.

Key Focus Areas

According to the plan, Ho Chi Minh City outlines several core tasks: improving state management of e-commerce, promoting digital adoption among enterprises, accelerating e-commerce activities within the community, and focusing on workforce training for the e-commerce sector. These goals and objectives align with the city’s broader ambitions to strengthen its digital economy and enhance its role as a leading economic hub in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Helping Small Businesses Go Digital

A standout focus of the plan is supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in embracing e-commerce. The Department of Industry and Trade will implement various programs to help SMEs get onboard with popular domestic platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop, providing them with the necessary tools and training to run successful online businesses.

Beyond the domestic market, Ho Chi Minh City is also committed to helping export-oriented companies develop effective sales strategies on international platforms like Amazon, Alibaba, and Tridge. This global push is seen as a critical move to help Vietnamese products reach overseas customers, enhance brand presence, and boost competitiveness in international markets & trade.

Strengthening Governance and Combating Tax Loss and Counterfeits

In parallel with business support, Ho Chi Minh City is paying close attention to improving regulatory oversight. In the third quarter of 2025, the City Statistics Office will conduct surveys to assess how businesses and consumers are adopting e-commerce across various sectors.

The Department of Industry and Trade will establish an e-commerce database and work closely with relevant departments to manage transaction data, tax collection, and measures to combat commercial fraud. Notably, the District II Tax Office will intensify inspections, particularly in cross-border transactions, and promote the use of e-invoices to ensure transparent records of product origins, reducing the risks of tax evasion and counterfeit goods.

Promoting Cashless Payments and Supporting Local Producers

The city’s efforts also extend to the broader community. The State Bank of Vietnam’s Regional Branch 2 will run educational campaigns encouraging residents to adopt cashless payment methods, improving security and convenience when conducting online transactions.

Additionally, the Department of Industry and Trade plans to connect e-commerce platforms with local suppliers, focusing on helping agricultural producers, cooperatives, and OCOP (One Commune, One Product) businesses to market their products more effectively. This initiative aims to expand sales channels for regional specialties and agricultural goods, offering better income opportunities for local communities/citizens.

Launching the “Responsible Blue Tick” Program Against Counterfeits

A particularly notable initiative is the launch of the “Responsible Blue Tick” program, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and crack down on counterfeit products circulating on digital platforms. Ho Chi Minh City requires KOLs, KOCs, influencers, and e-commerce platforms to uphold higher standards of transparency and responsibility when endorsing or promoting products.

Public figures are urged to carefully review their content and ensure that they provide accurate, clear, and complete information about the brands and products they promote. Several e-commerce platforms and companies have already voluntarily signed up for this programs demonstrating a strong collective commitment to fighting counterfeit goods and poor-quality products. 

This initiative is expected to have a widespread positive impact across Vietnam’s e-commerce ecosystem, fostering a transparent, fair, and consumer-friendly business environment that protects shoppers’ rights and supports reputable businesses.

Source: VnEconomy