Business-to-business e-commerce platform Alibaba.com is increasing its investment in Việt Nam to help local exporters reach out to the world. — VNS Photo Việt Dũng

Alibaba.com, a leading global business-to-business e-commerce platform, plans to expand its operations in several emerging manufacturing hubs around Việt Nam to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

A three-year plan aims to help local SMEs work with international partners, increase their competitiveness and expand into other countries.

It will initially involve the establishment of local teams at Bình Dương, Bắc Ninh and Long An provinces, Đà Nẵng and Hải Phòng to provide tailored services and support to exporters there.

Training sessions will be held for Vietnamese suppliers, and Alibaba.com will also organise field trips to China to help local businesses learn and network.

Roger Luo, Alibaba’s head of Southeast Asia, said: “We are excited to take our local operations in Việt Nam to the next level by doubling down on our investment in the country’s emerging supplier hubs. We are confident that this move will help bring more businesses here onboard digital trade and overcome barriers to the global market.

“With our solid buyer base coupled with digital tools specifically designed for global trade, we believe our platform is the best starting point for Vietnamese SMEs wishing to foray into the international market.”

The average number of daily active buyers of Vietnamese goods on Alibaba.com saw a 55 per cent increase year-on-year last March, while the number of Vietnamese products available on the platform increased by 24 per cent.

It highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese products in the global market and the potential Vietnamese businesses have for digital exports, according to the platform.

The number of buyer enquiries on the platform in the first six months of 2023 increased by 33 per cent year-on-year.

“The sourcing trends we have seen on Alibaba.com speaks to the growing importance of digital sourcing among global buyers,” Luo said.

“Vietnamese suppliers have already earned a reputation among … global buyers on Alibaba.com, especially in sectors where they have an advantage such as agricultural products, food, apparel, and home and garden.”

Steven Tô, deputy managing director of electric fan manufacturer Hành Sanh One Member Co., Ltd., said the platform has helped introduce its proprietary products to the world and grow its businesses.

“As a supplier, we firmly believe in the significance of digitisation in the future of trading and the importance of building on our e-commerce foundation to solidify our market position.”

Alibaba.com serves millions of buyers and suppliers in over 190 countries and regions around the world. VNS