Buy Vietnamese Goods campaign picks up steam

Could you tell us about key activities that the Ministry of Industry and Trade carried out in 2016 to promote the Buy Vietnamese Goods campaign?

The ministry continued directing businesses to expand their distribution systems, while at the same time launching the “Proud of Vietnamese Goods” Week on a nationwide scale.

The event was effective, with Vietnamese goods sales promotion messages sent to millions of consumers through the media, websites, event pages, Facebook, and Youtube, among others.

The ministry also coordinated with the Vietnam Fine Arts Association to organize a competition on logo design for the campaign, attracting 125 contestants. Seven submissions entered the final qualifying round.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa

The ministry honored 88 high-achieving enterprises while being active in market management and the control of fraudulent trade and goods. Over 180,000 suspected cases were investigated and almost VND600 billion in fines were imposed on 102,000 cases.

As a result of this widespread and concerted dissemination campaign, many Vietnamese products, including farm produce, foodstuffs, consumer goods, and stationery, among others, attracted a large number of buyers.

What has the program on Vietnamese goods points of sales achieved?
The program is one of the campaign’s successful activities, as it attracted a lot of businesses. By the end of 2016, 61 Vietnamese goods points of sale were successfully launched nationwide, with priority given to remote, rural areas.

The points of sale have been welcomed by local consumers. Data compiled by the Departments of Industry and Trade show that sales at these points increased 10-30 percent after the points were labeled “Proud of Vietnamese Goods”.

What are the plans for 2017?

Major programs are in the works this year, including the Vietnam Top Trade Service Awards, honoring enterprises that have greatly contributed to the Buy Vietnamese Goods campaign, and an event to present the chosen campaign logo. The ministry will also once again organize the “Proud of Vietnamese Goods” Week across the country.

Recently, the Prime Minister told the Ministry of Industry and Trade to conduct anti-dumping investigations of fertilizers (including DAP fertilizer) and chicken meat, aimed at protecting domestic production and consumers.