Hanoi (VNA) – As global markets impose increasingly stringent requirements on product quality, traceability and transparency, digital transformation is emerging as a key driver helping Vietnamese agricultural products expand market access, enhance value and strengthen their competitiveness worldwide.
Rather than waiting for traders or relying solely on traditional trade fairs, Phu Chuyen Cooperative in Hanoi's Chuyen My commune has taken the initiative to reach consumers through livestream sales using smartphones.
Nguyen Manh Hieu, head of a leather and footwear making group in Gie Ha village under Phu Chuyen Cooperative, said participation in the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme, combined with sales on e-commerce platforms, has significantly improved the competitiveness of the cooperative's products.
In the Mekong Delta, which produces more than 90% of Vietnam's rice exports, over 70% of its fruit output and 60% of its aquaculture production, localities are gradually shifting from a production-oriented approach to a value-driven model.
The adoption of planting area codes and QR-based traceability has made production, harvesting and distribution more transparent. With a simple scan, consumers can access detailed information on the origin of products, cultivation methods and harvest dates.
More than a management tool, digital traceability is increasingly regarded as a "digital passport" enabling Vietnamese farm produce to meet the rigorous requirements of international markets.
In the northern mountainous region, Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative in Chieng Coi ward of Son La province has more than 60 ha of coffee certified under VietGAP, UTZ and Rainforest Alliance (RA) standards. The cooperative has developed its own website, expanded onto e-commerce platforms, adopted an electronic traceability system and introduced anti-counterfeit labels. As a result, its specialty coffee products are now exported to demanding markets, including the European Union (EU), Japan, the Republic of Korea and the US.
On June 30, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment launched the national agricultural product traceability system, marking an important milestone in developing a nationwide traceability network for agricultural, forestry and fishery products. Built on international GS1 standards, the system currently integrates data on more than 18,500 products across 181 product categories from 170 enterprises, and has already supported the successful export of six containers of durian to China.
These efforts contributed to Vietnam's agro-forestry-fishery export turnover of nearly 36 billion USD in the first half of 2026, up 6% year-on-year.
According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan, President of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, bringing agricultural products into the digital space is not merely about opening new sales channels but about "digitising trust."
By making production processes, quality standards and product origins transparent through digital platforms, Vietnamese agricultural products can build stronger brands, improve competitiveness and integrate more deeply into global supply chains. This also helps address the long-standing challenge of high-quality products struggling to reach consumers because of limited transparency and dependence on multiple intermediaries.
Alongside digital transformation, building a strong community of agricultural entrepreneurs is considered essential to raising the value of Vietnamese farm produce. The ninth National Congress of the Vietnam Farmers' Union (VFU) for the 2026-2031 term has set a target of supporting the establishment of at least 5,000 agricultural enterprises.
According to VFU President Luong Quoc Doan, the country currently has around 3.4 million exemplary farming households. However, becoming an entrepreneur requires more than production expertise. Farmers also need modern management skills, market analysis capabilities, financial management knowledge and digital competencies.
Under the Government's 2025-2030 training programme for VFU officials and outstanding farmers, around 50,000 farmers are expected to receive annual training in business management, the digital economy, digital transformation, branding and supply chain management. The programme aims to help farmers shift from a production-focused mindset to a business-oriented approach, enabling them to organise production more effectively, develop markets and enable Vietnamese agricultural products to obtain a stronger position in the global marketplace./.
