Alibaba.com is making significant strides to bolster Vietnamese export businesses, especially within the food processing sector, through targeted support and technology integration. A recent conference held on February 28, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City brought together various stakeholders to discuss innovative approaches for enhancing export capabilities.
At the forefront of this initiative, Young Liu, the Director of Alibaba.com Vietnam, shared insights on the burgeoning e-commerce market and its pivotal role for businesses aiming for international markets. He emphasized the compelling case of Company V.Kaus, which specializes in exporting dried fruits and spices. Since joining Alibaba.com, this company has witnessed astounding growth, with exports increasing by 90% and achieving over $6 million in revenues for 2024.
According to Liu, "The key here is technology." He elaborated on how leveraging digital tools and e-commerce platforms can significantly influence business success, urging more Vietnamese companies to embrace this digital transformation. The conference attendees were particularly made aware of Alibaba.com's commitment to assisting up to 200 exemplary Vietnamese enterprises to penetrate the global market by 2025.
Ho Thi Quyen, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Trade and Investment Promotion Center (ITPC), also spoke at the conference, underlining the importance of e-commerce as part of the digital transformation strategy for local enterprises. “The digital transformation strategy will help optimize business processes,” she said, illustrating the need for Vietnamese businesses to adapt to the rapidly changing global marketplace.
The e-commerce sphere has experienced a significant explosion, particularly across Southeast Asia, and Vietnam is not lagging behind. The city of Ho Chi Minh is taking proactive measures to support exporters, having organized 79 trade promotion programs to help businesses engage more effectively with international markets.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain for the Vietnamese food industry, which often struggles with small-scale production and meeting international export standards. Quyen acknowledged these hurdles, stating, "The food industry still faces many limitations concerning cross-border e-commerce, primarily due to small-scale production and not meeting stringent international standards." She also pointed out the necessity for exporters to be well-informed about policy supports available to them.
Alibaba.com’s strategies for 2025 include enhancing global supply chains and logistics, and supporting the promotion of key Vietnamese export products such as agriculture, food, and furniture sectors. Liu noted, "We aim to support around 200 exemplary Vietnamese businesses to reach global markets by 2025," showcasing Alibaba's clear roadmap for facilitating Vietnamese exports.
The emphasis on technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), is particularly notable, with Liu reporting, “Currently, 90% of Vietnamese enterprises on Alibaba.com utilize AI to boost business performance.” This statistic reflects the growing recognition of the importance of technology within business strategies.
The Ho Chi Minh City government is also actively working to facilitate trade connections, hosting training sessions on brand development and business skills to strengthen local businesses' capacity within the global market framework.
Attendees at the conference were encouraged to seize the opportunities presented by the digital era, with Liu and Quyen both reiteratively stressing the need for Vietnamese businesses to adopt innovative strategies and technologies. E-commerce is not merely a trend; it's central to future prosperity.
Summarily, as the Vietnamese economy navigates the ever-evolving international trade waters, the combined efforts of Alibaba.com and the local government embody the momentum and vision needed for Vietnamese businesses to establish themselves as competent players on the world stage.
With e-commerce expected to continue shaping the global marketplace, the future looks promising for Vietnam's export potential. The concerted focus on digital solutions and the cooperative approach between Alibaba and local enterprises signals exciting developments on the horizon for the country's economy.