Vietrade urges Vietnamese exporters to accelerate digital adoption

The country's export sector is facing major challenges, but also opening up new opportunities amid rising protectionism, sustainability requirements, traceability standards and digital transformation, he told a forum titled 'Solutions to Enhance the Competitiveness of Vietnamese Export Products in the Global Trade Chain'.

Vietrade works under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

"To effectively seize these opportunities, the requirement for Vi?t Nam's export industries is not only to maintain growth but, more importantly, to enhance product competitiveness and increase value across the entire chain, from design and materials to production, branding, distribution and international market expansion," Chien was quoted as saying by a domestic media outlet.

Phan Th? Thanh Xuan, vice chairwoman and secretary general of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (LEFASO), urged businesses to view contract manufacturing as a stepping stone instead of a limitation. She pointed to a gradual shift toward higher-value models, raising the added value and strengthening enterprise capability.

However, the localisation rate for raw materials in the leather and footwear industry stands at only 50-55 per cent. Improving domestic supply would help raise value creation while enabling faster sample development.

Delays in presenting samples can affect order flows, particularly for smaller producers and start-ups, she cautioned.

Xuan also identified gaps in design training and marketing professionalism, noting that many firms still depend heavily on buyers to initiate contact rather than proactively promoting products in target markets.

Speakers also pointed to the need for stronger global marketing.

Fibre2Fashion (DS)