E-commerce in Vietnam - a brief view from the case of VinGroup

Author: Hoa Nguyen, MBA.,MA.

Although E commerce is general in development countries, it is still new in Vietnam. In 2010, The Prime Minister announced the Decision No 1073/QÐ-TTg for approval of  E -commerce development overall plan in the period of 2011 to 2015. The main purposes of this plan are to promote E-commerce to become a general trade channel, and go to the advanced level in ASIAN economies. However, the negative effect of the global financial crisis seems to slow down E-commerce steps.

On Feb, 2014, a significant change in VinGroup's Management Board with a new CEO, Mrs. Duong Thi Mai Hoa replaced to Mrs. Le Thi Thu Thuy, has revealed a strong interest of VinGroup in E - Commerce. VinGroup has decided to join in E-commerce business with the establishment of Vin-Ecom. This company aims to create retailing channels for its products and its partners' products, as well.

The action of VinGroup seems to respond timely to the decision of Vice Prime Minister, Mr. Hoang Trung Hai, in asking Minister of Industry and Commerce to review and complete the proposal for building and implementing E-commerce development plan from 2014 to 2020. This proposal shall be approved by the Prime Minister on Feb, 2014.


Advantages of VinGroup, which come from its 1000 Billion VND package for E-commerce, competitive advantages of the pioneer in the aboriginal E-commerce business in Vietnam, and the supportive policies from the Government seem to lead this Group to succeed, do they?