{
  "id": 291770,
  "title": "Vietnamese SMEs build digital capabilities beyond online selling",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/vietnamese-smes-build-digital-capabilities-beyond-online-selling",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-08T02:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "VnExpress Business",
    "slug": "vnexpress-business",
    "url": "https://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/vietnamese-smes-build-digital-capabilities-beyond-online-selling-5105946.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Local tea farmers in Vietnam's Thai Nguyen Province gained first-hand experience using livestream equipment during an e-commerce training session. This showcases a growing trend as digital commerce gains prominence as a sales channel for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the nation. Opening an online store is merely the initial step for many businesses; they must also navigate challenges such as customer attraction, sales conversion optimization, efficient order management, and brand building. Hoang Duong, representing a Shopee seller, highlighted the need for specialized skills to successfully transition to digital commerce.\n\nVietnam's SMEs face uneven digital adoption, with businesses in rural areas often lacking access to digital tools and support. To bridge this gap, Shopee launched the Shopee Enables SMEs program, providing training, guidance, and market access for local businesses. The program aims to support around 100,000 SMEs through partnerships with government agencies and local authorities, tailoring training to meet regional and industry needs. Topics covered include store management, product listings, order fulfillment, customer acquisition, and advanced subjects like livestream selling and digital content creation.\n\nLivestreaming has emerged as a popular sales tool, especially for agricultural products and local specialties, enabling producers to demonstrate production processes and engage directly with consumers. Hoang Thi Tan, director of Tam Tra Thai Cooperative, noted the program's contribution to enhancing the cooperative's nationwide reach. Strong-performing businesses can receive additional mentoring focused on store optimization, branding, marketing, and performance analysis.\n\nThe Shopee Enables SMEs program collaborates with universities to connect students with businesses via internships and practical projects, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in e-commerce operations, marketing, and data analysis while supporting businesses in their digital transformation. As Vietnam's digital economy evolves, strengthening SMEs' digital capabilities through such initiatives is anticipated to play a crucial role in the country's ongoing growth.",
  "summary": "Vietnamese SMEs are increasingly leveraging digital commerce to expand their sales reach and overcome traditional retail limitations. An e-commerce training session in northern Vietnam showcased how local tea farmers utilized livestream equipment to introduce their products, explain production methods, and engage directly with online customers. This shift reflects the growing importance of digital commerce for household businesses and cooperatives, which play a significant role in Vietnam's economy. However, many SMEs face challenges in adapting to digital operations, requiring new skills in store management, sales conversion, logistics, and customer engagement. To support these businesses, Shopee launched the Shopee Enables SMEs program, offering training, operational guidance, and market access to around 100,000 SMEs. The program covers various aspects of digital commerce, including store management, product listings, order fulfillment, customer acquisition, livestream selling, and digital content creation. By equipping SMEs with these capabilities, the program aims to strengthen Vietnam's digital economy and help businesses scale their operations.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}