Raising awareness of origin traceability

Avoiding fake goods

The traceability technology via QR codes is considered a prerequisite for launching products in world markets. In Vietnam, this technology has also been introduced and applied but to a limited extent due to public disinterest in this origin tracing action, despite its benefits to consumers.

Product traceability is also important for Vietnamese enterprises seeking to participate in the global supply chain.

Tracing the origin of goods has become increasingly easy

Ho Chi Minh City has pioneered in promoting product traceability via QR codes scanning. According to Nguyen Thi Kim Hue, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, since 2016, Ho Chi Minh City has been pushing the implementation of product traceability.

Vo Duc Duy An from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s agricultural economic restructuring consultancy center said the daily output of vegetables with origin traceability stamps increased from four tonnes in 2016 to 21 tonnes in 2020, following a pilot project for product traceability. The project helped increase producer awareness and responsibility in providing origin traceability.

MSc Pham Thi Xuan Hong from the Food Safety and Hygiene Management Board of Ho Chi Minh City said the management board has issued product traceability code procedures and provided training in food safety and hygiene. As of June 2022, almost 7,000 facilities (including nearly 4,300 livestock establishments, more than 130 slaughterhouses and almost 2,400 retail distributors) in 19 provinces and cities were participating in the product traceability project.

Consumers should adopt the habit of buying only goods with origin traceability codes

Promoting origin traceability

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the National Barcode Center (NBC) under the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality, is promoting product traceability throughout the city.

The National Barcode Center has introduced general requirements and processes for product traceability in accordance with Standard 12850: 2019.

The Food Safety and Hygiene Management Board of Ho Chi Minh City proposed that relevant authorities issue specific regulations and policies for product traceability implementation, especially by small businesses. The management board will continue to work with the city’s Department of Science and Technology, Department of Industry and Trade, and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to continue the project on pork and poultry meat and egg origin traceability in the 2021-2025 period, said Pham Thi Xuan Hong. The management board is also promoting consumers’ awareness of origin-traced farm produce, seafood, and other products, Hong said.