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?

Facebook marketing - an effective marketing campaign for Vietnamese market

Author: Hoa Nguyen, MBA.,MA.

Statistics reveals that about 20 million Vietnamese people are using Facebook with 90% from the range of 14 to 35 years old. Thus, revenues getting from Facebook marketing campaigns of companies here tend to increase dramatically. Since perceiving potential profitable business here, Facebook has been dealing  with local agencies to sign cooperation agreements, and Clever ads company has just become the first Authorized Re seller of Facebook in Vietnam.
The phenomenon of Facebook blooming in Vietnam suggests companies that it shall be smart if they spend their priority in doing Facebook marketing campaign since Twitter and LinkedIn are still not much been interested in Vietnamese people.

In order to implement successfully Facebook marketing campaign, a business does not only need to set up judiciously its market target and to have a perfect implementation plan, but it also need to follow online advertisement rules of Vietnam government. According to Mrs. Le Thi Ha, Division of Legal Affairs, Department of E-Commerce and Information Technology, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Vietnam, every website, which allows individuals and companies to do business, is determined as E-commercial website, and if it is fit with Article 2, Decree No 52, it is registered to Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Vietnam. In additional, the Circular 12/2013/TT-BCT was announced to guide companies in registration procedures.

In the tactic perspective, Facebook marketing campaign should be outsourced to save resources for business since many talent students are willing to provide their services in managing Facebook sites, which can help them to earn extra money. Students, who are studying business and have a "think out of the box" approach, can bring the excellent Facebook marketing services for the business. Facebook is the best suit for young people, as always. Social media marketing services may arise in this market soon like in others over past years.