Hanoi, August 14, 2025 – At the high-profile event “Vietnam – International Business & Investment Connection 2025” hosted by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnam Global E-commerce Association (VGEA) delivered a compelling presentation outlining the critical role of e-commerce in helping Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrate into global value chains.
Speaking to an audience of business leaders, policymakers, and international investors, the VGEA emphasized that e-commerce is no longer a complementary tool, but a decisive growth engine for SMEs striving to expand beyond Vietnam’s borders. With the rise of digital trade and borderless commerce, Vietnamese SMEs are now facing both unprecedented opportunities and challenges.
“E-commerce is the gateway for Vietnamese SMEs to go global,” a VGEA representative declared.
“But to seize this opportunity, businesses must move fast, invest in digital capabilities, and connect with global platforms. VGEA is committed to walking alongside them on this journey.”
Key Highlights from VGEA’s Presentation:
- Global Integration through Digital Trade: VGEA laid out a roadmap for SMEs to plug into global supply and distribution chains via e-commerce platforms. By reducing dependency on traditional trade routes and intermediaries, SMEs can access customers directly across markets in Asia, Europe, and North America.
- Training and Capacity Building: The association stressed the urgent need to equip Vietnamese entrepreneurs with the digital skills necessary to compete globally—ranging from cross-border logistics and online marketing to data analytics and payment solutions.
- Public-Private Collaboration: VGEA called for stronger collaboration between the government and private sector to build supportive infrastructure, streamline export procedures, and remove technical barriers for e-commerce trade.
- Trust and Standards: Another key message was the importance of building consumer trust and meeting international quality standards. VGEA proposed launching national initiatives to certify e-commerce businesses that adhere to global practices in transparency, fulfillment, and cybersecurity.
A Strategic Turning Point
The event took place at a time when Vietnam’s digital economy is rapidly growing, yet many SMEs still lack the digital transformation needed to scale globally. According to VGEA, over 70% of SMEs in Vietnam are still operating primarily offline or in limited online channels, missing out on major opportunities in cross-border trade.
VGEA’s participation in the event underlines a broader national effort to position Vietnam as a digital trade powerhouse in Southeast Asia. Their message was clear: without embracing e-commerce, Vietnamese SMEs risk falling behind.
The “Vietnam – International Business & Investment Connection 2025” event served as a dynamic platform for dialogue, partnership, and strategy sharing between Vietnamese enterprises and international stakeholders. It showcased the country’s ambition to become not just a manufacturing hub, but a digitally connected economy able to compete on the world stage.