Ho Chi Minh City Aims to Reduce Reliance on Foreign E-commerce Platforms

To address the heavy dependence on international e-commerce platforms like Alibaba and Amazon, Ho Chi Minh City is planning to help 20,000 to 30,000 Vietnamese businesses join a locally operated B2B e-commerce platform.

At a cooperation signing ceremony on March 27, a representative from the Ministry of Industry and Trade noted that for the past decade, most Vietnamese exporters—especially in Ho Chi Minh City—have relied on foreign platforms to reach international markets. Building a Vietnamese-owned platform is now seen as essential to showcase products, foster cross-border trade, and better protect domestic sellers’ interests.

According to Mr. Tran Van Chin, Chairman of Arobid Technology, digital exhibitions and B2B e-commerce have become a global trend. While foreign platforms are popular in Vietnam, they often lack robust seller support and raise concerns about data security.

To change this, Arobid has partnered with the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) to develop a local B2B e-commerce platform. Instead of hosting occasional online trade fairs, the platform will enable Vietnamese businesses to maintain permanent digital booths and connect daily with international buyers. It also aims to integrate blockchain and AI technologies, support digital transformation, and promote green growth.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, emphasized: “Even if we start late, we cannot afford to move slowly. What matters most is that Vietnamese people take ownership of the platform, using modern technology and building international trust.”

He also stressed that expanding export markets is key to the city’s goal of achieving double-digit economic growth in 2025 and contributing to the national GDP growth target of 8%.

According to a recent report by market research firm Statista, Vietnam’s B2B e-commerce market reached approximately USD 80 billion in 2022. Despite its potential, most Vietnamese enterprises still rely on foreign platforms for cross-border transactions. Previous attempts by Vietnamese startups to enter this space have struggled due to high capital requirements, weak branding, and outdated technology.

Source: VnExpress