Supporting small enterprises and household businesses in digital transformation

Promoting digital transformation among small and micro enterprises, retail shops, and household businesses is a practical step serving as a crucial driver of the deep, broad, and sustainable development of the digital economy.

Within that roadmap, Dong Nai is accelerating coordination among government agencies and technology solution providers to implement support programs to make digital transformation a practical and accessible tool for grassroots economic areas.

Goal: 100% of household businesses gain access to digital transformation

According to surveys conducted by the Department of Science and Technology, as well as feedback from citizens and businesses, particularly regarding business and tax policies, many household businesses and small and medium enterprises continue to face considerable difficulties in the digital transformation process. This undertaking remains a relatively new field, while limitations persist in management tools, software systems, digital platforms, and the implementation of electronic invoices, digital signatures, financial-accounting management, and tax reporting.

A training session on applying artificial intelligence in sales, jointly organized by the Department of Science and Technology and partner units. Photo: Vuong The

In light of this situation, the Provincial People’s Committee has directed the Department of Science and Technology to build platforms specifically to support these groups. Nguyen Minh Quang, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, said that, with the approach of putting citizens and businesses at the center, the province regards household businesses, wholesale and retail establishments, and small and medium enterprises as an important force in Dong Nai’s socio-economic development. Supporting these groups in fully complying with Party and State guidelines and policies, especially tax administration policies, is therefore considered a central task.

For 2026, Dong Nai has set the target that 100% of shops and household businesses will be informed about the program and receive support; that comprehensive surveys and assessments of all household businesses will be completed; and that 100% of participating households will receive consultation, support, and opportunities to experience suitable digital platforms. Solutions will be implemented in a coordinated manner, including digital signatures, national “.vn” domain names, electronic payments, e-invoices, management software, integration with e-commerce platforms, and multi-channel sales systems, particularly on online platforms.

The Department of Science and Technology is also working in partnership with MISA Joint Stock Company (Ho Chi Minh City) to build an AI-powered information portal to answer policy-related questions and enable enterprises and household businesses to access information quickly and conveniently. At the same time, digital transformation support activities will be organized for small and medium enterprises, household businesses, and wholesale and retail establishments.

Proactively implementing support plans

Since 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communications (now the Ministry of Science and Technology) has approved the Program to Support Retail Stores in Digital Transformation. Before nationwide implementation, Dong Nai was selected as one of only four pilot localities. According to assessments by the Department of Economy and Digital Society under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Dong Nai has proactively implemented support measures to help grassroots enterprises access digital transformation. With its large number of household businesses, the province has a substantial base of potential users ready to participate in this transition.

According to Nguyen Huy Hoang, Head of the Digital Transformation Division under the Department of Science and Technology, support solutions will be divided into specific geographic clusters and corresponding implementation roadmaps.

The program supporting Dong Nai enterprises and household businesses in accessing digital technology has received backing from the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as major technology corporations and enterprises, including VNPT, Viettel, MISA, BKAV, and numerous other digital solution providers. The Department of Science and Technology will continue coordinating with these units to deploy practical and suitable solutions.

To improve management and support, localities across the province have been divided into three main clusters. Cluster 1 focuses on the central urban areas of the former Bien Hoa and Long Khanh, which have the highest concentration of household businesses and the strongest existing telecommunications infrastructure. Cluster 2 covers rapidly industrializing areas such as the former Nhon Trach, Long Thanh, and Trang Bom, with a strong focus on service-oriented household businesses supporting workers and industrial parks. Cluster 3 includes more remote areas, where close coordination with community digital technology teams will be carried out under the door-to-door approach, helping residents first gain access to simpler digital platforms.

The Department of Science and Technology has requested that technology solution providers, such as MISA, VNPT, Viettel, and BKAV, appoint dedicated focal points for each cluster, while maintaining close coordination with local authorities during implementation.

Nguyen Thanh Trieu, Sales Director of MISA Joint Stock Company, pledged to work alongside the Department of Science and Technology, VNPT, Viettel, and other partners to develop a digital ecosystem that is simple and accessible for household businesses. The company is currently focusing on completing the AI portal and integrating tax policy data and locality-specific business regulations to serve as a “24/7 advisory assistant” for citizens. In practical implementation, MISA will also assign personnel directly to communes and wards to provide hands-on guidance - from issuing electronic invoices via smartphones and using remote digital signatures to managing multi-channel sales.

By Vuong The – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho