Many small business owners are still hesitant to adopt new digital tools.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Ai, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Hau Giang province, said that during the implementation of e-commerce in Hau Giang, the locality still faces many difficulties.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Nguyen Huu Ai, Deputy Director of the Hau Giang Department of Industry and Trade, stated that during the implementation of e-commerce in Hau Giang, the locality still faces many difficulties such as limitations in human resources with technological expertise, lack of experience in building online stores, and the hesitation of many small traders in applying new digital tools. Some small businesses and individual business households are still not fully aware of the legal regulations and policies related to e-commerce activities, leading to a reluctance to access digital platforms.
Therefore, this training course is of practical significance as it provides an overview of e-commerce, tax policies in online business, and the application of artificial intelligence in work management. With highly practical content that closely matches local needs, the program is expected to help management staff as well as the business community and traders in Hau Giang province gradually improve their digital transformation capabilities, optimize production and business operations, and proactively integrate into the digital economy.
Master the legal aspects, confidently navigate online business.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Tuan, Director of the Center for E-commerce and Digital Technology Development (eComDX), Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy (Ministry of Industry and Trade), shared the new points in the legal framework for e-commerce.
At the conference, Mr. Nguyen Huu Tuan, Director of the Center for E-commerce and Digital Technology Development (eComDX), Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy (Ministry of Industry and Trade), emphasized the importance of understanding business models in cyberspace. Mr. Tuan explained that many businesses still confuse a regular online sales website with an e-commerce platform. For example, a local specialty workshop in Hau Giang province builds its own website to sell directly to customers; in this case, the owner is directly responsible for the products. Conversely, e-commerce platforms like Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, etc., are platforms where many businesses participate in selling goods, with the operator only providing the infrastructure. “Correctly identifying the business model (personal sales website or e-commerce platform) is extremely important because it directly affects legal responsibility and the procedures required under Vietnamese law on e-commerce,” Mr. Tuan stated.
The eComDX director provides trainees with a comprehensive overview of common violations, inspection procedures, administrative handling, and how to coordinate with inspection teams.
Beyond simply analyzing the model, Mr. Tuan also paid special attention to the new points in the e-commerce legal framework. He emphasized the role of Decree No. 85/2021/ND-CP, a decree refined to keep pace with the rapid development of the digital market. Accordingly, businesses not only need to conduct business "sufficiently" but also "standardly" and "responsibly," especially regarding consumer protection.
Mr. Tuan also noted that businesses should not underestimate the procedure of notifying the Ministry of Industry and Trade about their e-commerce websites. Registering on online.gov.vn not only helps confirm the legality of the operation and build trust with customers, but also serves as a basis for receiving protection and support from the management agency when needed.
A consistently "hot" topic is e-commerce tax policy. Mr. Tuan stated that tax authorities are increasingly tightening tax collection in the online business environment. Businesses need to clearly understand their obligations regarding VAT, personal/corporate income tax, invoices, and supporting documents, and proactively declare correctly to avoid legal risks.
In the section on inspecting and handling e-commerce violations, Mr. Tuan also provided trainees with a comprehensive overview of common violations, inspection procedures, administrative handling, and how to coordinate with inspection teams. In particular, models of selling through livestreaming, social media, or from private homes were thoroughly analyzed, along with practical experience in data tracing and collecting electronic evidence to ensure fair and effective e-commerce management.
With many years of deep involvement, witnessing and shaping the development of e-commerce in Vietnam, the Director of the Center for E-commerce and Digital Technology Development (eComDX) has shared valuable insights, removed many obstacles, and provided clear direction for local officials and businesses on their digital business journey.
Teaching and doing: Hau Giang applies AI and e-commerce right in the classroom.
Mr. Cao Qui Long, an expert from eComDX, shared a presentation on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in work management and online business.
Continuing with the legal content, the program also focuses heavily on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in work management and online business.
At the conference, Mr. Cao Qui Long, an expert from eComDX, shared that AI is no longer a luxury technology, but a practical tool for small and micro-enterprises to improve operational efficiency. From order management, warehousing, customer service to consumer behavior analysis, AI can provide optimal support.
In the practical session, Mr. Cao Qui Long directly guided the trainees through the steps of applying AI to business operations on e-commerce platforms and social media. Specifically, he shared a three-stage AI implementation roadmap: familiarization - automation - personalization, helping businesses progress from basic operations to building intelligent operating systems.
Experts from eComDX provided hands-on guidance to students on how to sell local specialties on e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
The AI tools introduced and demonstrated by Mr. Cao Qui Long in the class are platforms that can help businesses create marketing content, write product descriptions, design images, analyze user behavior, and automatically respond to customers… easily and cost-effectively.
Experts from eComDX provided hands-on guidance to students on how to bring local specialties to e-commerce platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. Many students successfully created online stores, wrote content, and posted products for sale during the training sessions, without needing intermediaries. This is considered a significant highlight, helping to remove psychological barriers and foster a digital mindset for the local business community.
The atmosphere at the conference was lively with discussions and exchanges. Many participants frankly shared their practical difficulties and received direct guidance on how to overcome them. The integration of legal updates, technological practice, and direct support helped the program not only serve as training but also as a forum connecting practical experiences and solutions.
With a flexible approach that blends theory and practice with technology, the program in Hau Giang has provided practical knowledge, easy-to-apply tools, and most importantly, created momentum for digital transformation from the grassroots level, in line with the spirit of "understand correctly - do it - do it immediately".
