In 2024, Hai Phong’s trade promotion activities continued to achieve positive results, contributing to higher growth in retail sales compared to the same period last year. This success was attributed to the effective exploitation of traditional trade promotion methods by the Department of Industry and Trade and related units, combined with the application of digital transformation to innovate and diversify approaches.
Practical Activities
Recently, the Department of Industry and Trade of Hai Phong, in coordination with the Investment Promotion Center of Tuyen Quang Province, organized the "Week of Trade, Agriculture, Tourism, and Investment Products Connecting the Consumption of Products from Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas of Tuyen Quang Province in 2024." The event took place from December 13 to December 15, 2024, featuring more than 60 booths from 40 enterprises and cooperatives showcasing specialty products, OCOP products (One Commune One Product), handicrafts, and goods from traditional craft villages in Tuyen Quang.
At Co.opmart Hai Phong’s premises, the event featured impressively decorated booths that showcased standout products from Tuyen Quang's ethnic minority communities. Many items from businesses, cooperatives, and individual traders were offered with discounts and promotions while ensuring quality and food safety standards, leaving a positive impression on visitors.
Nguyen Manh Thang, a local resident, shared, “I came with my family to explore the displayed goods and bought many items like ‘gu banh chung’ (a traditional sticky rice cake), sticky rice cakes, bamboo rice, and ethnic decorative textiles. The products showcased the unique characteristics of Tuyen Quang’s ethnic minorities."
Earlier in December, the Center for Industrial Promotion and Industrial Development Consulting, under the Department of Industry and Trade, launched the program "Bringing Vietnamese Goods to Rural Areas in Vinh Bao District." The program featured 30 standard booths offering essential consumer goods, electronics, agricultural and aquatic products, processed foods, home decor, garments, household items, cosmetics, and local specialties, ensuring quality and origin. The event also included lucky draw activities and promotions as part of Hai Phong's "Promotion Month 2024," initiated by the Department of Industry and Trade.
Expanding Trade Promotion Activities
According to Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, by the end of November 2024, Hai Phong's total retail sales of goods and service revenue were estimated at VND 205,593.6 billion, an increase of 13.61% compared to the same period last year, reaching 92.4% of the target. Retail sales alone were estimated at VND 170,959.2 billion, up 14.24%. Retail trade activities showed stable and dynamic growth compared to 2023, boosted by increased spending on dining, tourism, entertainment, and shopping during summer holidays, leading to higher revenues in sectors like food, clothing, and more.
In 2024, the Department of Industry and Trade organized delegations to promote trade and market development in Ho Chi Minh City and informed local businesses about opportunities to participate in events like the Northeast Industrial and Trade Fair (Thai Nguyen 2024), the International Agriculture Fair in the Northern Delta, and the 21st ASEAN-China Trade Fair (CAEXPO 2024).
Trade promotion methods have also evolved to adapt to the Industry 4.0 era, moving beyond traditional approaches like fairs, exhibitions, and business networking. Online platforms and digital tools, especially e-commerce, have become the focal point. The Department of Industry and Trade continues to upgrade Hai Phong's e-commerce exchange platform at www.hoaphuong.gov.vn, integrating it with advanced browser technology. This platform supports businesses and producers in Hai Phong in promoting their products, enhancing the city’s brand, and driving trade on the platform. Additionally, the department maintains and updates Hai Phong's shopping database at maps.hpe.gov.vn, featuring nearly 2,000 shopping destinations. This helps Vietnamese products reach both domestic and international markets.
To support trade activities effectively in 2025, the Department of Industry and Trade will intensify efforts to promote exports, trade, and business connections, as well as integrate local businesses into global distribution systems. The department plans to continue utilizing traditional trade promotion methods while adapting and diversifying strategies with information technology and digital transformation. By leveraging the advantages of digital tools, trade promotion activities aim to enhance information exchange, streamline operations, and facilitate collaboration among trade promotion agencies and businesses. The department will also focus on organizing events to promote Hai Phong’s signature products both locally and internationally.
(Source: Bao Hai Phong)