HÀ NỘI — The Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and Shopee Co Ltd on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in cross-border e-commerce.

The agreement aims to support the modernisation of Việt Nam’s national trade ecosystem by combining government policy, business capacity and technological infrastructure, the MoIT said.

Under the MoU, the two sides will work together to boost B2C online exports by Việt Nam’s micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to ASEAN and global markets.

Key activities include developing a “Vietnam pavilion” on Shopee’s international platform to showcase quality and authentic products from Vietnamese MSMEs, providing training and capacity-building for businesses on B2C online exports, and implementing digital promotion campaigns across ASEAN.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at Shopee’s headquarters in Singapore, Lại Việt Anh, deputy director of the agency, highlighted the robust growth of e-commerce in recent years, which has positioned Southeast Asia as one of the world’s most dynamic digital markets.

The e-Conomy SEA 2024 report shows ASEAN’s e-commerce revenue reached US$159 billion in 2024, up 14 per cent year on year. Việt Nam contributed $22 billion, an increase of 18 per cent, placing it among the region’s leading markets.

Anh noted that in Việt Nam, e-commerce has become not only a driving force of the digital economy but also a key enabler of wider digital transformation. It provides consumers with access to diverse domestic and international products, while helping SMEs optimise costs, expand sales channels, strengthen their presence in the domestic market and access global markets.

She emphasised that the country’s achievements stem from long-term and consistent government policies supporting e-commerce development. These include five-year national master plans since 2006, most recently the National Master Plan for E-commerce Development for 2026–2030 and the Prime Minister’s Directive 29/CT-TTg on focal tasks and measures for promoting exports and expanding overseas markets.

The MoIT is also drafting an e-commerce law expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for approval in December 2025.

These policy frameworks identify cross-border e-commerce as a strategic pillar for building a sustainable digital export ecosystem, enhancing the international competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises and helping Vietnamese products reach more global consumers. They also aim to maintain Việt Nam’s position among the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in the region and the world.

The official added that the ministry has been implementing practical programmes to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs through training in e-commerce application, digital marketing, logistics and supply chain management on digital platforms.

Additional support activities will continue to help Vietnamese enterprises develop effectively and seize new opportunities in the digital export landscape. — VNA/VNS