Technology enhances product transparency

Amid the ongoing digital transformation, ensuring product transparency has become an inevitable requirement. Science and technology remain the most effective tools to achieve this goal. Accordingly, enterprises (firms) and retailers are increasingly emphasizing transparency to strengthen their competitiveness amid international integration.

Officers of the Dong Nai Market Surveillance Sub-Department apply QR code technology to trace the origin of agricultural products at a supermarket in Tam Hiep ward. Photo: Hai Quan

Multiple solutions rolled out

The application of science and technology is bringing about fundamental changes in consumer activity, particularly in the fight against counterfeit goods and in tracing the origins of products.

According to many experts, domestic enterprises, especially local enterprises, need to proactively make all product information transparent, including the origin of raw materials, production processes, quality standards, and distributor information. When information is made transparent from the outset, consumers have a basis for identifying genuine products, while also limiting opportunities for counterfeiters and sellers of imitation goods to slip into the market.

Nguyen Viet Hong, Chairman and General Director of Vina Technological Science Development Joint-Stock Company (Vina CHG), a provider of anti-counterfeiting technology solutions, noted that enterprises should actively adopt digital technologies in anti-counterfeiting and traceability efforts. In the digital era, firms are encouraged to deploy solutions such as QR code-integrated anti-counterfeit labels, SMS-based authentication, and traceability software, along with advanced technologies including water-based, thermal, and luminescent features, as well as 5S and 6.0 technologies to prevent label duplication. As a result, consumers can easily verify product authenticity anytime and anywhere, which not only protects brands but also helps build customer trust.

Alongside manufacturers, retailers must also strictly control their supply sources. Retailers, particularly those operating on e-commerce platforms, need to establish rigorous inspection and verification procedures before listing products for sale. At the same time, they should require suppliers to provide full legal documentation, certificates of origin, and valid invoices and supporting documents. This undertaking is a key responsibility of retailers in ensuring that only genuine goods circulate on the market.

Nguyen Quoc Minh, Director of Co.opmart Dong Xoai supermarket in Binh Phuoc ward, said that in recent years the supermarket has focused on strictly controlling incoming goods, applying its own set of quality standards updated to align with modern consumer trends, and expanding the display and promotion of environmentally friendly products, along with high-quality food and essential items that are safe for consumers' health. In particular, the supermarket promotes sustainable consumption and high-quality Vietnamese goods, carefully selecting its merchandise so that Vietnamese products account for more than 95% of its offerings, while prioritizing suppliers that meet international standards and products recognized as high-quality Vietnamese goods.

In 2026, Co.opmart Dong Xoai is observing Vietnam Consumer Rights Day (March 15) under the theme “Information Safety - Building Trust - Sustainable Consumption” by promoting high-quality Vietnamese goods, organizing mobile sales programs in rural areas, and implementing environmentally oriented initiatives, thereby contributing to a safe, green, and consumer-friendly shopping environment.

“To ensure product transparency for consumers, retailers must provide complete and accurate information, including origin, manufacturer, production date, expiry date, and guidance on verifying genuine products through anti-counterfeit labels. In addition, clear return and warranty policies are essential to enhance consumer confidence,” Hong added.

Promoting safe and sustainable consumption

The rise of digital consumption and e-commerce continues to accelerate rapidly. As enterprises expand online and multi-channel sales, ensuring transparency and safety on digital platforms has become an important factor in maintaining credibility and brand reputation.

Consumers shop for clean agricultural products at Co.opmart Dong Xoai supermarket (Binh Phuoc ward). Photo: Hai Quan

Nguyen The Tung, General Director of Queen Farm Ecological Agriculture Co., Ltd., based in Phuoc Son commune, Dong Nai province, said the company focuses on developing green-standard farms and aims to build a modern ecological farming system capable of supplying clean and safe fruits that meet international cultivation standards.

Notably, science and technology are bringing major advances to anti-counterfeiting efforts. What is important is for enterprises, distributors, and retailers to proactively implement these solutions systematically, combined with transparent product information, to jointly build a transparent and safe market for consumers. This undertaking, in turn, gives consumers additional convenient and safe shopping channels.

According to the Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Dong Nai has proactively carried out various activities to develop traceability systems, support enterprises, and OCOP (One Commune One Product) entities in building identification codes, and connect them to the National Traceability Portal. Training courses on product traceability for local products and goods have also been organized to help managers, enterprises, and relevant organizations and individuals raise awareness, update knowledge, grasp new legal regulations, and effectively apply traceability systems in practice.

In the digital era, well-informed consumers serve as the most important “last line of defense” against counterfeit goods. When each consumer actively verifies products, requests proper invoices, and raises concerns when necessary, it will help build a transparent and safe market where trust is strengthened, and sustainable consumption becomes an inevitable trend.

Nguyen Viet Hong, Chairman and General Director of Vina CHG.

By Hai Quan – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho