Ha Giang Province promotes sales of local products through e-commerce

Through e-commerce platforms, distinctive and signature agricultural products of the province are gaining greater promotion

With the goal of enhancing the brand value of the province’s high-quality agricultural products, while helping cooperatives, businesses, and farmers connect with consumers, expand markets, and promote their brands, the Ha Giang Department of Industry and Trade has prioritized efforts to strengthen e-commerce development.

As of the end of August 2024, Ha Giang Province had listed 332 agricultural and tourism products on e-commerce platforms, with 135 stores created on platforms such as Lazada, Sendo, Tiktok Shop, Voso, and Postmart. To ensure accurate information and protect the brands of these products on digital platforms, the Ha Giang Department of Industry and Trade has rented servers for storage, management, security, and operational maintenance of the province’s e-commerce platform. They have also upgraded and advertised the website at dacsanhagiang.net to increase traffic.

Ha Giang Province currently has over 700 cooperatives with 21,000 members, primarily engaged in agriculture and services. In recent years, these cooperatives have made significant progress in management and applying information technology in selling agricultural products. In the context of globalization, e-commerce is not only a trend, but has become a powerful growth driver. Promoting online sales is one of the top solutions prioritized by local authorities, cooperatives, and residents.

According to the Ha Giang Department of Industry and Trade, amidst the rapid development of information technology, many farmers and small traders in the province have been utilizing e-commerce platforms and social media to conduct business and expand their customer base nationwide.

With just a smartphone, Vu Mi Ly can livestream to sell products. Dong Van’s “ot gio” (chilli), a famous agricultural product from Dong Van, has long been present on the market and highly rated by customers for its quality. Pickled “ot gio” and salted “ot gio” have been listed for sale on several e-commerce platforms, such as Sendo, Shopee, Postmart, and Voso. Customers can access these e-commerce platforms to find information about the products and place orders.

Hundreds of Ha Giang’s unique agricultural products are now listed and traded on e-commerce platforms, including mint-honey, highland beef, thick-skinned oranges, and Shan Tuyet tea.

E-commerce platforms have become a common business channel in the digital era. The diversity of operating models, participants, processes, and supply chains, combined with the support of the Internet and modern technology applications, has positioned e-commerce as a cornerstone in Ha Giang Province’s digital economic development.

Through e-commerce platforms, distinctive and signature agricultural products of the province are gaining greater promotion, with more visually appealing designs, reaching a wider audience both domestically and internationally, helping increase sales and improve the livelihoods of local people.

However, farmers still bring their agricultural products to e-commerce platforms in a spontaneous manner. To make e-commerce a truly effective channel for selling agricultural products and goods, and to help farmers avoid legal issues or losses when participating in this channel, relevant authorities should provide them with support through training and capacity-building. This would enable farmers to better access and utilize e-commerce, improve their products, and enhance the promotion of key products to consumers in various domestic and international markets.

Aware of the significant role of information technology and digital transformation in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Ha Giang Department of Industry and Trade has issued a Digital Transformation Plan for the 2022-2025 period. Key targets include having 50 percent of One Commune One Product (OCOP)-certified goods and products with geographical indications available on e-commerce platforms, and supporting 30 percent of enterprises and cooperatives in the industry and trade sector in implementing digital transformation.

At the same time, efforts are being made to support businesses in building e-commerce websites, establishing storefronts on Ha Giang Province’s e-commerce platform and other popular platforms. Solutions for electronic transactions and payments in commerce and public services are also promoted. Emphasis is placed on the application of product traceability and the development of cashless payment utilities on mobile platforms, e-wallets, QR codes, and POS systems. These initiatives aim to accelerate digital transformation, boosting the sale of local agricultural products on digital platforms./.