Cross-Border E-Commerce: A New Engine for Sustainable Export Growth

31/07/2025

Amid the rapid expansion of the global digital economy, digital transformation and e-commerce have emerged as key drivers enabling Viet Nam to deepen international integration, enhance competitiveness, and broaden export markets. This strategic orientation has been clearly articulated by the Government, which identifies e-commerce as a pioneering sector in applying digital technologies to modernize production and distribution models, improve business efficiency, and lay a solid foundation for sustainable export growth.

To translate these objectives into practice, the development of a comprehensive e-commerce ecosystem that effectively connects domestic producers with international markets is essential. In reality, no single enterprise or institution can independently address the full spectrum of cross-border e-commerce requirements, which range from technology platforms and logistics to digital payments, regulatory compliance, market intelligence, and operational capacity. A resilient e-commerce ecosystem therefore must be built as a multi-stakeholder network, involving state authorities, exporting manufacturers, technology solution providers, logistics and financial service firms, as well as training institutions and media networks, working in close coordination to generate synergy and long-term sustainability.

In recent years, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has actively implemented a wide range of initiatives to foster a sustainable e-commerce ecosystem in Viet Nam. Key priorities include strengthening the regulatory and policy framework to create a favorable business environment; enhancing enterprise capabilities—particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises—through targeted training and advisory programs; developing digital infrastructure with an emphasis on cashless payments, smart logistics, and artificial intelligence applications; and expanding international cooperation to promote cross-border e-commerce as a strategic export channel.

Looking ahead, efforts to support e-commerce development will continue to intensify, with a particular highlight being the Vietnam E-Commerce and Digital Technology Application Forum 2025, scheduled to take place in early September 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City. The Forum will be organized within a broader international supply-chain connectivity framework and is expected to serve as a platform for dialogue and exchange among policymakers, experts, and enterprises in the fields of e-commerce and digital technology. Its agenda will focus on four core pillars: e-commerce and cross-border e-commerce operations; logistics solutions; digital technology applications for enterprises; and digital financial solutions.

With the coordination of Viet Nam’s overseas trade offices, the Forum is expected to welcome hundreds of international business delegations seeking cooperation, sourcing, and investment opportunities. This setting will enable Vietnamese enterprises to engage directly with potential partners in cross-border e-commerce, logistics, and digital technology transfer, thereby facilitating market expansion and deeper integration into global supply chains.

Experts emphasize that cross-border e-commerce goes far beyond simply listing products on online platforms. It requires enterprises to gradually take ownership of the digital value chain, including data management, multi-market operations, digital marketing strategies, and customer service tailored to international markets. In practice, many Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises continue to face challenges in optimizing cross-border logistics, managing orders across multiple markets, and accessing consumer behavior data, which limits their competitive performance.

In the context of rapid technological advancement, strengthening enterprises’ internal capabilities to independently manage, optimize, and assess the effectiveness of cross-border e-commerce activities is increasingly critical. Through pilot programs and partnerships with international e-commerce operators, new export models based on digital channels are being tested and gradually expanded, offering practical pathways for Vietnamese enterprises to scale up exports and enhance value creation.

The Vietnam E-Commerce and Digital Technology Application Forum 2025 is expected not only to provide updates on technology trends and policy directions, but also to function as a practical platform for business matchmaking, solution development, and investment attraction in the digital economy. In doing so, it will contribute to positioning cross-border e-commerce as a key pillar in Viet Nam’s strategy for sustainable export growth in the coming period.

Mai Trang