Many local specialties are brought into the supermarket system. Photo: T.D

More and more "skillful"

At many supermarkets and shopping centers, Vietnamese products are non-stop all the rage

According to statistics from the Co.opmart supermarket system, Vietnamese goods here occupy an overwhelming position compared to imported goods, of which food products of all kinds account for over 95%. Thousands of local specialties from North - Central - South appear on supermarket shelves. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thang, Director of Operations of Co.opmart, said that Vietnamese goods are increasingly diverse in design and quality. Many consumer goods, food, and agricultural products have the advantage of being produced locally with many incentive programs to satisfy consumer’s needs.

Similarly, Ms. Tran Kim Nga, Director of External Affairs of MM Mega Market Vietnam, the proportion of Vietnamese goods in the system accounts for over 90%, most of which are fresh and processed food items, fashion clothes, footwear... In addition, information from wholesale markets in Ho Chi Minh City shows that the amount of imported goods coming to the market is not much, accounting for less than 10%, the rest are domestic goods.

Vietnamese goods not only serve the domestic market but also reach abroad, conquering foreign consumers. This success also owes to the contributions of many brands that are doing well in exporting goods, while also finding ways to bring goods into domestic retail channels to serve customers. Meet More Coffee is no longer unfamiliar with the European, American, and Australian markets. Similarly, Binh Tay Foods with brands such as Bodhi leaf vegetarian noodles, kiwi noodles, mushroom hot pot... are well received by domestic consumers.

According to Ms. Tran Kim Yen, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City, Standing Deputy Head of the Steering Committee of the Campaign "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods", Vietnamese goods conquers Vietnamese people is totally consistent with the interests of businesses that do business honestly, have a long-term vision and are responsible. We realize that many businesses only sell products that they and their relatives are willing to use; many distribution systems consider quality control and ensuring the quality of goods is a vital factor. This is very commendable and is also a necessary condition for the Steering Committee to propose a Cooperation Program on goods quality control.

But according to Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, besides well- qualified and exported Vietnamese, there are still many individuals and organizations that produce poor goods, misleading consumers. Therefore, establishing a transparent market and building brands for agricultural products and valuable goods is essential to improve the quality of Vietnamese goods. In particular, strict sanctions are needed to enhance the responsibility of suppliers. Agreements and commitments between suppliers will initially ensure transparency in goods production and gradually replicate the model.

Non- stop adding "quality" to Vietnamese goods

Recently, 6 businesses and cooperatives signed a memorandum of understanding to build a sustainable supply chain, improving the quality of Vietnamese goods for essential food items.

Specifically, Saigon Co.op signed with 6 businesses including Anh Hoang Thy, San Ha (providing cattle and poultry meat); Nhuan Duc Safe Vegetable Production Cooperative, MeKong Delta Food company, Xuan Thai Thinh company (supplying fruits and vegetables); Tan My Cooperative (fruit supplier). Currently, these partners supply an average of 500 tons of goods per month to Saigon Co.op's distribution systems.

Saigon Co.op and these units commit to building a sustainable green supply chain to serve consumers; ensuring benefits for consumer health, production and business efficiency, market stabilization, playing a part in the effectiveness of the campaign for Vietnamese people to prioritize using Vietnamese products.

This cooperation aims to connect and support market development for domestically produced goods and unique products of Ho Chi Minh City, enhance the competitive capacity against imported goods and export-oriented goods. At the same time, this enable to directly connect business partners and promptly share market information, experience in developing distribution channels, and standard information to penetrate the distribution systems of Saigon Co.op.

This cooperation also gives Vietnamese and domestically produced goods a hand to promote export to the international market through Saigon Co.op's strategic partner, NTUC FairPrice (Singapore). In 2023, Saigon Co.op exported Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products to the Singapore market with a total export value of nearly 90 billion VND through strategic partner NTUC FairPrice.

Mr. Tran Van Lieng, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Quality Association, emphasized that product quality needs to be associated with sustainable development. Accordingly, products with high intelligence content and no impact on the environment will be plus points for domestic manufacturers to pursue. For example, shortly, export businesses to Europe will have to apply standards prohibiting deforestation... Vietnamese businesses also need to pay attention to producing products that meet export requirements to this market.