Promoting Vietnamese goods via foreign retail giants

The Ministry of Industry and Trade cooperated with Thailand’s Central Group to organize the Vietnamese Goods Week at the major shopping mall Central World with the presence of many Vietnamese businesses such as Binh Phu Furniture Company, Minh Long High-Class Ceramics and Porcelain Company, Saigon Alcohol Beer and Beverages Corporation, Dien Quang Lamp Joint Stock Company, Hoa Tho Textile Company, Bich Chi, Hoan Chau and Tan Hue Vien food producers. In addition to bringing Vietnamese goods to Thai consumers and overseas Vietnamese, some Vietnamese businesses signed contracts to implement goods distribution in the Thai market. In a context where Vietnamese goods are facing fiercer competition in all markets, these contracts have brought significant meanings.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has also planned to export Vietnamese goods through FDI companies operating in Vietnam. In a seminar held by the Domestic Market Department and the Industry and Trade Review on connecting Vietnamese goods to distribution channels, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa said that the ministry worked with foreign distributors such as Metro, Big C, Aeon, Lotte and E-mart to promote Vietnamese goods abroad.

In coordination between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and France’s Casino Group, the Vietnamese Goods Week was organized at Casino Gambetta in Lyon, showing the group’s commitments in promoting distribution of Vietnamese goods in France and the EU. A wide range of Vietnamese goods has been available in France such as fresh and canned fruits and vegetables, rice, frozen shrimp and spring rolls, drinks, garments and textiles with export turnover of more than US$20 million a year.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will also cooperate with the Aeon Co., Ltd. to bring Vietnamese goods to its distribution system. The event will be organized at Aeon Lake Town Saitama in early September 2016. Japan is looking for fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood and dried products, which are perfectly fit with Vietnam’s strength.

To promote Vietnamese goods abroad through FDI companies operating in Vietnam, the prime minister issued Decision 1513/QD-TTg dated September 3, 2015, specifying that Vietnamese goods will directly participate in all major distribution systems in key markets and regions. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will be a main player to complete the target.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is actively developing the information system in terms of foreign distribution channels. This system must be accurate and provide up-to-date information about key markets such as the EU, the US and Southeast Asia to help manufacturers to be more active in their trade and production activities.

Enhancing connection to foreign distribution channels and strengthening trade promotion activities have been implemented with a focus on potential goods and key import markets.

Marketing also plays an important role, in addition to building brands for Vietnamese goods and providing information on media.

“The authorities are reviewing inappropriate mechanisms and policies and promoting administrative procedure reforms related to tax, customs and investment. In addition, developing mechanisms and policies to encourage distribution groups and companies and foreign retailers to bring Vietnamese goods to their systems is underlined,” Ho Thi Kim Thoa said.

Phuong Lan