Ho Chi Minh City supports 1 million small traders in digital transformation

For small businesses to be able to transform digitally in a real way, simple, easy-to-implement, low-cost models are needed that bring specific results.

Representatives of MoMo and MM Mega Market signed the agreement - Photo: SCT

The above comment was made by Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City - at the signing ceremony of the agreement "Digital transformation of traditional grocery store system" between MoMo Financial Technology Group and MM Mega Market, which took place on September 26.

According to Mr. Phuong, the city welcomes digital transformation models that are designed to be practical, highly applicable, and have the support of businesses.

"Small traders can only transform digitally when the implementation model is simple, easy to apply, and low cost. The most specific effectiveness must come from helping them manage revenue more transparently, access capital more easily, and connect with consumers more effectively," said Mr. Phuong.

In phase 1, with the support of the City Department of Industry and Trade, the program will focus on small traders in the city, closely following the local private economic development policy. Based on the results achieved, this model will be expanded nationwide, with the goal of supporting up to 1 million small traders to embark on the digitalization journey.

This is also the next step in MoMo's plan to deploy a comprehensive digital solution, with a three-step roadmap that is specific, easy to apply, and close to the operational reality of individual businesses and traditional grocery stores.

MoMo's survey of 203 small businesses also showed that the biggest barrier in the digital transformation process of small traders lies in operating habits.

Most still manage orders, inventory, accounting and finance manually, resulting in a lack of data for development.

Small traders need more support to promote digital transformation - Photo: N.TRI

To remove this bottleneck, the program "Digital transformation of traditional grocery store systems" is designed with two main pillars: operations and finance.

In terms of operations, MM Mega Market provides a stable, reputable and branded source of goods, while supporting small traders in standardizing management methods, from store design, goods import to display.

In the financial pillar, MoMo offers a series of tools to support cash flow: cashless payments via multi-function QR and Soundbox, and a "postpaid wallet" limit for small traders to advance capital to import goods from MM Mega Market without incurring interest if repaid on time.

Retailers are also provided with a set of tools to manage books and cash flow, and are connected to savings and financial backup solutions when needed.

According to data from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, in the first 7 months of 2025, the city's total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue exceeded 1 million billion VND.

Notably, most of the growth comes from modern retail channels such as supermarkets, convenience stores and e-commerce, while the grocery and traditional market sector - which accounts for a large proportion of the distribution system - is gradually falling behind.

The growing gap between "modern retail" and "traditional retail" shows the urgent need for a comprehensive support model for small traders.

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NGUYEN TRI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tp-hcm-ho-tro-1-trieu-tieu-thuong-chuyen-doi-so-20250926201238964.htm