Digital Transformation: The Key to Local Businesses’ Integration

From agriculture and manufacturing to trade and services, digital transformation is creating new momentum for businesses in Phu Tho to enhance productivity, expand markets, and improve competitiveness. The adoption of digital technologies, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with the local government’s efforts to develop digital infrastructure and a supportive digital environment, is laying the foundation for local enterprises to integrate more deeply into domestic and global value chains.

Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative continues to improve its production process and adopt modern technologies, enabling its products to reach international markets.

From Digitalising Production to Expanding Markets

Once largely confined to large enterprises, digital transformation has now spread to cooperatives, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and even farming households across the province.

In the Doan Hung pomelo-growing region, QR codes for product traceability, digital order management, and online sales through e-commerce platforms have become standard practices. These technologies enable growers to reach customers directly, reduce reliance on intermediaries, and enhance product value by ensuring transparency in product origin and production processes.

Meanwhile, other production areas—including Thanh Ba tea plantations, fruit-growing regions, and concentrated agricultural production zones—are also investing in modern technologies. Electronic production logs, digital management of cultivation areas, and online sales are becoming increasingly common.

Tam Dao Mushroom Cooperative is among the leading examples. By investing in advanced cultivation technology, the cooperative has established a closed production process for medicinal mushrooms, with cordyceps serving as its flagship product. It currently provides stable employment for nearly 50 workers. Several of its products have been certified as 3-star and 4-star OCOP products, while its market presence continues to expand.

Digital transformation is also reshaping the business mindset of many enterprises and cooperatives. Rather than focusing solely on output, businesses are placing greater emphasis on product quality, brand building, traceability, and value addition.

Alongside digitalised production, e-commerce has opened up new sales channels for local specialties. Products such as Doan Hung pomelos, Long Coc tea, Thanh Son fermented pork, Hung Lo rice noodles, and My Lung “Ga Gay” sticky rice are now available on digital platforms, reaching consumers nationwide.

The province’s e-commerce platform currently hosts more than 458 online stores, offering around 1,430 products and services. Provincial authorities have supported numerous enterprises and cooperatives in developing online businesses, building digital brands, and applying electronic traceability labels for OCOP products and other signature agricultural products.

Many businesses have also proactively transformed their business models by establishing official stores on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop, combining livestream sales with digital marketing strategies. At the same time, they are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool to analyse customer data, promote products, expand markets beyond the province, and gradually move toward exports.

To help businesses and cooperatives embrace the digital economy, the province has organised 18 training courses on digital transformation and e-commerce, attracting more than 4,000 participants. During the 2026 Hung Kings Festival Trade Fair, four livestream sessions promoting OCOP products attracted over 70,000 views, sold nearly 1,500 products, and generated revenue exceeding VND 159 million.

Digital Government Supporting Business Development

The close alignment between businesses' digital transformation strategies and the province’s commitment to building a digital government is creating strong momentum for economic growth.

Following the spirit of Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, Phu Tho has established itself as one of Vietnam’s leading localities in implementing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation initiatives. These efforts are helping to build a transparent, modern investment environment that serves as a catalyst for sustainable business development.

Between 2021 and 2025, the province supported 44 SMEs in technological innovation with total funding of more than VND 19 billion. As a result, participating enterprises recorded average revenue growth of nearly 70%, workers' incomes increased by more than 22%, and state budget contributions rose by over 80%.

The province’s digital government has also played a significant role in fostering business growth by creating a more transparent investment environment. A notable example is the Management Board of Provincial Industrial Parks, where 100% of administrative procedures under its authority are now processed entirely online.

Through integration with national databases, administrative processing times have been significantly reduced while unofficial costs for investors have been minimised.

During the first six months of 2026, 96.1% of administrative dossiers across the province were processed online, 99.1% were digitised, and 100% of electronic documents were digitally signed. The province’s electronic document management system has been deployed across nearly 2,500 agencies and organisations, serving around 30,000 user accounts.

Digital infrastructure has also continued to improve. The province now operates 997 5G base stations, covering all commune- and ward-level administrative centres, while more than 5,000 community digital technology groups are helping residents access digital services.

Phu Tho is among the first localities in Vietnam to implement a wide range of initiatives in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. These achievements have laid an important foundation for building a transparent and modern investment environment that supports business development.

To sustain growth momentum in 2026, the province will continue reforming the management of science and technology programmes, effectively implementing the “Triple Helix” cooperation model involving the State, scientists, and businesses, expanding the operation of the VPTEX Online Technology and Equipment Exchange, and introducing support packages to help around 10 small and medium-sized industrial manufacturers invest in technological innovation and modernisation.

These initiatives are expected to help the local business community modernise production, expand markets, and strengthen its competitiveness.

Ngoc Tuan