Applying digital technology to trade promotion

Rapid advances in science and technology in recent years have helped boost trade promotion, product marketing and market expansion for local products on digital platforms.

Local businesses livestream product promotions at a trade promotion program in Dong Nai.

Dong Nai City has stepped up a range of measures to bring local specialty products and OCOP products (One Commune One Product Program) onto e-commerce platforms, while also supporting local businesses and cooperatives in conducting trade promotion activities on digital platforms.

Raising awareness among local businesses

In recent years, departments, agencies, relevant organizations and localities across Dong Nai have implemented various programs to disseminate e-commerce regulations and help local businesses and cooperatives increase the use of digital technologies in production and business activities. They have also organized conferences and seminars on online business and shopping, while supporting businesses in building websites free of charge to promote their products and facilitate online sales.

Nguyen Van Linh, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai City Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, said the center has stepped up the application of information technology and digital transformation in trade promotion through a range of coordinated and practical solutions. These efforts have helped businesses across the city gradually learn about and apply information technology and digital transformation in trade promotion, thereby promoting commercial exchanges and seeking opportunities in domestic and international markets.

Accelerating digital transformation in trade promotion is aimed at improving the quality and effectiveness of trade promotion agencies, businesses, cooperatives and household businesses across the city by connecting them with and integrating them into the digital trade promotion ecosystem.

Do Quang Thinh, CEO of Food52, a pre-prepared food supply chain based in Trang Dai Ward, said his company supplies pre-prepared food ingredients to make it more convenient for customers to order and prepare their daily meals. Trade promotion activities, sales training and product promotion on online platforms have helped the company improve management efficiency and supply chain operations, thereby enhancing service quality and expanding its online business.

Multiple solutions to support businesses

Experts say that in the digital era, businesses need to acquire essential knowledge and skills in business operations, apply digital transformation technologies to trade promotion, and adopt product traceability solutions to gradually establish their presence in the online marketplace and keep pace with the latest e-commerce trends.

Local businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, need to pay attention to various areas related to digital trade promotion and e-commerce development, including the growing trend of social commerce, selling through social media, as well as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and AI virtual assistants to create promotional content and introduce products in the digital environment.

Nguyen Van Linh, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai City Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, said training programs aimed at raising awareness and promoting the application of information technology and digital transformation in investment, trade and tourism promotion would contribute to improving the effectiveness of state management in these areas. They would also help businesses make better use of the advantages offered by the modern business environment, particularly e-commerce channels.

Nguyen Minh Duc, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM), said VECOM would coordinate with departments, agencies and relevant organizations in Dong Nai, including the Dong Nai City Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, to organize training activities to improve businesses’ awareness and capacity in e-commerce development and the application of digital transformation and AI to trade promotion. The association would also strengthen support and guidance for local businesses in building and developing digital storefronts and livestreaming product promotions at online trade fairs.

“The key training programs in 2026 will focus on supporting local businesses in applying AI to e-commerce, while also promoting solutions for developing safe and sustainable products and brands in the digital environment,” Nguyen Minh Duc emphasized.

According to experts, support for local businesses and OCOP producers in livestream selling, as well as efforts to promote digital trade promotion channels more broadly, should focus on direct exchanges and hands-on practice with experts. This would help businesses address difficulties in applying e-commerce while gaining more practical experience in product promotion and doing business in the digital environment.

By Hai Quan – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho