E-commerce - A lever to break through the digital economy

Part 1: Lots of potential... but many barriers

Khanh Hoa 's e-commerce potential is outstanding and has differences compared to other localities in the Central Highlands region, but there are still "bottlenecks" that need to be cleared to be able to develop breakthroughs.

Outstanding growth

Entering the 2025 - 2030 term with the desire to make a breakthrough, Khanh Hoa identified trade and services as one of the important pillars of economic development. In fact, in recent years, this industry has maintained a high growth rate. In 2024, the province's trade and service revenue reached 151,915 billion VND, an increase of 13.5% compared to 2023, higher than the national average growth rate (9%). In the first 9 months of 2025, revenue is estimated at 148,583 billion VND, an increase of 15.58%. This is proof that the trade and service sector, including e-commerce, is maintaining a high growth rate.

Customers shopping at Lotte Mart, October 23rd Street (West Nha Trang Ward) do not use cash.

In 2024, Khanh Hoa ranked 14th out of 63 provinces and cities in terms of e-commerce index, with technology infrastructure and human resources ranked 7th. This reflects the efforts and potential of the locality on the digital transformation journey. Mr. Tran Quoc Sanh - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade commented: "The growth rate of trade and services of the province always reaches double digits, among the highest in the country, along with the advantages of digital infrastructure, logistics and sea tourism , creating an important foundation for Khanh Hoa to promote e-commerce development, gradually turning this field into a driving force of the digital economy".

In particular, the advantage of tourism development with millions of visitors each year, along with the seaport system, Cam Ranh international airport and highways, has helped the province's e-commerce to quickly connect with domestic and foreign markets. Typical products such as bird's nest, seafood, OCOP products... are promoted through online channels, creating opportunities to increase value and expand the market.

There are still "bottlenecks"

Despite its great potential, e-commerce in the province still faces many obstacles. In 2024, although the province's technology infrastructure and human resources ranked 7th, the B2C transaction index (business-to-consumer transaction index via online platforms) ranked quite low (35/63 provinces and cities). This reflects the fact that infrastructure and human resources are available, but the level of e-commerce penetration of consumers and businesses is still limited.

In fact, more than 70% of small businesses in the province have not yet built a website or a formal digital store, but mainly use social networks to sell products. Ms. Nguyen Thi Vinh Hang - Director of Thanh Hung Agricultural Company Limited (Dong Khanh Son commune) said: "The company provides dried durian products that have registered a trademark and meet OCOP standards, but when we put them on the e-commerce platform, we encountered many difficulties. Lack of human resources, knowledge of data management, promotion methods and especially transportation and delivery are still limited. These are the things that make it difficult for small businesses like us, even though we have good products, to access e-commerce in a systematic way."

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Quang - Director of Thai Thuan Agricultural Products Production and Trading Company Limited (Do Vinh Ward) shared: "In the past time, we have encountered many difficulties due to changes in procedures after the merger of provinces and the cost of complying with food safety and hygiene regulations, increased export taxes. However, thanks to focusing on deeply processed products such as: Dried grapes, dried apples, grape wine, grape syrup..., the company has maintained stable production and business activities and recorded positive growth from e-commerce. Revenue through online channels is 15 - 20% higher than traditional channels, and during Tet it can increase by 30 - 40%". It is known that currently, the company's products are traded on many platforms such as: Facebook, Zalo, TikTok, Shopee, website sanphamninhthuan.com, and transaction systems of Vietnam Post and Viettel. However, online shipping costs are still high, while the company's online sales staff have not been properly trained. This is the reason why e-commerce competitiveness is not really sustainable. If the shipping costs are partially supported when opening an online sales code, the cost will be reduced, creating conditions to increase revenue and support more stable output for farmers. In addition, the company also needs e-commerce sales staff training programs to improve expertise and create higher trust with customers about the products.

Consumers shop for goods at GO! Supermarket (Phan Rang ward).

In fact, many businesses are still struggling to conquer the online market. Difficulties from transportation costs, unskilled human resources to incomplete digital infrastructure show that, for e-commerce to break through, stronger support from the government with practical support policies is needed.

Previously, the province issued the E-commerce Development Plan for the period 2021 - 2025, with many solutions such as: Training human resources, supporting businesses to build online brands, connecting e-commerce platforms, testing electronic contracts and proposing to build an e-commerce trading floor of the province. This is an important foundation to enter a new phase, when the Resolution of the 1st Provincial Party Congress, term 2025 - 2030, determined the goal: By 2030, the proportion of added value of the digital economy in GRDP will reach 35%.

To realize this goal, the province needs to fully exploit the advantages of tourism, logistics and typical products, especially removing barriers to consumer confidence, infrastructure and e-commerce human resources. Mr. Vo Van Khanh - Chief Representative of the Vietnam E-commerce Association in the Central - Central Highlands region emphasized: "Khanh Hoa's e-commerce potential has clear differences compared to other provinces in the Central - Central Highlands region. If the "bottlenecks" are well resolved, Khanh Hoa will not only be a bright spot in tourism but can also become a typical e-commerce center of the Central - Central Highlands region".

Mr. TRAN QUOC SANH - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade: Khanh Hoa has the conditions to develop e-commerce but in reality there are still many "bottlenecks". Firstly, the infrastructure serving online transactions has not kept up with new consumer behavior, especially the need for fast and convenient shopping of young people. Secondly, most small businesses and business households still lack capital and human resources to invest properly in technology and management. Thirdly, consumer confidence in online transactions is not high, many people are still afraid of risks in quality, payment or delivery. And another point, state management, especially the protection of consumer rights and control of fraud in the digital environment, is still limited. If not removed soon, these obstacles will reduce the resilience of e-commerce in the coming period.

RED MOON

Part 2: Businesses enter the "digital race"

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/kinh-te/202510/thuong-mai-dien-tu-don-bay-but-pha-kinh-te-so-1ea1ab8/