Phu Tho Promotes Digital Transformation in E-Commerce

E-commerce (e-commerce) is becoming an important distribution channel in the digital economy, creating opportunities for businesses, cooperatives, household businesses and production establishments to expand their markets, increase sales, reduce costs and strengthen competitiveness. Recognizing this trend, Phu Tho Province has implemented a range of measures to promote digital transformation in e-commerce.

Products of Maika Food Co., Ltd. in Dao Xa Commune are now available on e-commerce platforms such as Shopee and Lazada.

Alongside the development of information technology infrastructure, e-commerce activities in the province are becoming increasingly dynamic. Phu Tho currently has five e-commerce marketplaces and 272 active e-commerce websites. Businesses, cooperatives and production establishments are increasingly proactive in investing in and applying information technology and digital platforms to their production and business activities, particularly for product promotion, customer acquisition and sales.

To establish a foundation for digital transformation, the Industry and Trade sector has coordinated with relevant agencies and organizations to strengthen communication and dissemination of knowledge and policies on e-commerce. Training courses and guidance on digital transformation skills and the application of e-commerce to product sales have been organized for business managers, cooperatives, production establishments and farmers’ association members. These efforts are gradually improving awareness and digital business skills while developing human resources for e-commerce.

At the same time, the Industry and Trade sector has focused on supporting businesses in joining e-commerce platforms. The provincial e-commerce marketplace, giaothuong.net.vn, continues to expand and enables businesses and organizations to publish information about their products. The platform has also been promoted through mass media, becoming an effective channel for connecting supply and demand and facilitating the sale of products from businesses, cooperatives and production establishments.

Digital transformation is no longer simply about “putting products online.” It is encouraging businesses to adopt more modern, flexible and multichannel business models. Websites, e-commerce marketplaces, social media, livestreaming, short-form videos and online sales platforms are being combined to expand customer reach. At the same time, businesses are gradually standardizing product information and investing in packaging, brands, traceability labels, QR codes and product imagery, thereby increasing transparency, building consumer trust and enhancing product value.

At the Da Hen Tea Production and Processing Cooperative in Dong Luong Commune, digital transformation has become an important solution for promoting and selling products. Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of the cooperative, said that after Da Hen tea products were recognized as 3-star and 4-star OCOP products, the cooperative continued to improve quality, invest in packaging, logos and traceability labels, while stepping up online sales through e-commerce platforms and social networks such as Facebook, Zalo and TikTok. As a result, the cooperative’s products have become increasingly well known among consumers.

The Director of the Da Hen Tea Production and Processing Cooperative in Dong Luong Commune livestreams sales on TikTok.

These results have helped e-commerce become increasingly integrated into everyday business activities and establish itself as a practical commercial channel for the business community. According to the Department of Industry and Trade, Phu Tho ranked 11th in the 2026 Vietnam E-commerce Index, reflecting positive progress in the development of e-commerce and the application of digital technologies in the province.

However, for e-commerce to develop substantively and sustainably, the focus must not only be on increasing the number of participating businesses but also on improving the quality of their operations in the digital environment. Under the Phu Tho E-commerce Development Plan for 2026–2030, the province aims to make e-commerce an important distribution channel in the development of the digital economy, with people and businesses at the center, data as the foundation, and information security and consumers’ legitimate rights protected.

By 2030, Phu Tho aims for 70% of the adult population to participate in online shopping; more than 70% of businesses to apply e-commerce; more than 60% of small and medium-sized enterprises to conduct business on e-commerce platforms; cashless payments to account for 80% of e-commerce transactions; and 100% of transactions on e-commerce platforms to have electronic invoices.

The province also aims for 100% of its key products to have QR codes and electronic traceability systems, while developing “Green Store” models on the provincial e-commerce marketplace. Phu Tho also plans to expand Internet access, particularly in rural and mountainous areas; encourage businesses to adopt emerging technologies such as 5G, automation, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality and virtual reality; and gradually improve delivery, warehousing and electronic payment infrastructure to meet the requirements of e-commerce development.

Throughout this process, businesses will remain the primary actors, while the State will play a facilitating role by creating a favorable environment and supporting infrastructure, policies and human resources. Businesses need to proactively invest in technology, improve product quality, build digital brands, develop multichannel sales, apply data and AI to management, and ensure information security and consumer rights.

For the Industry and Trade sector, priorities include continuing to strengthen e-commerce capabilities, supporting businesses, cooperatives and household businesses in joining domestic and international e-commerce platforms, increasing digital trade promotion, developing logistics and promoting cross-border e-commerce.

With a development approach centered on businesses and people, and driven by data and technology, Phu Tho is gradually building a modern, safe and sustainable e-commerce ecosystem. This is not only a solution for expanding distribution and sales channels but also a driving force for transforming production and business methods, strengthening competitiveness and increasing product value, helping Phu Tho’s goods reach wider domestic and international markets.

Le Oanh