Ms. Quàng Thị Phượng, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Muổi Nọi commune, expressed her concern about the lack of new knowledge related to e-commerce in the locality. According to her, most people in Muổi Nọi are still accustomed to traditional production and consumption methods, lacking access to modern technology and new business trends. Limitations in infrastructure, equipment, network connectivity, and especially a lack of confidence in using digital platforms have made it difficult to bring local products to the online environment.

Ms. Phuong shared that even households with distinctive products such as agricultural produce, medicinal herbs, and handicrafts are largely unaware of how to introduce, promote, or sell their goods online. Accessing e-commerce platforms, social networks, or digital advertising tools remains quite unfamiliar. Many people want to learn and change but don't know where to start, while information and support programs rarely reach people in remote areas directly.

In that context, Ms. Phuong highly appreciated the fact that the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy (Ministry of Industry and Trade) sent officials to the commune to provide practical guidance. According to her, this hands-on approach, explaining each step in detail – from creating an account, uploading products, understanding sales regulations, to promoting a brand online – is extremely practical and suitable to the local people's circumstances.

 

Ms. Quàng Thị Phượng – Vice Chairperson of the People's Committee of Muổi Nọi Commune

“We truly appreciate this support,” Ms. Phuong said. “Because the people of Muoi Noi haven’t had many opportunities to directly access large-scale training programs, let alone participate in in-depth courses. When officials come directly to the commune and provide close guidance, the people understand more easily and are more confident in following the instructions. The new knowledge about regulations in e-commerce and how to apply them in practice has helped the people open up a new direction in bringing local products to a wider market.”

She expects that, with support from specialized agencies and the proactive efforts of the commune government, the people of Muoi Noi will gradually become more confident in applying e-commerce, adapting step by step to modern business trends and progressively increasing the value of local products in the market.

Understanding the unique conditions of the highlands – where people face many limitations in terms of equipment, network infrastructure, and basic technological knowledge – Ms. Nguyen Phuong Ly, Deputy Head of the Information, Service and Training Department, Center for E-commerce and Digital Technology Development – ​​eComDX, Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy, chose a close-to-the-touch, easy-to-understand, step-by-step approach to communication so that people could grasp and apply it immediately on the spot.

In her presentation, Ms. Ly didn't delve into complex technical details but began by helping the audience visualize the overall picture of e-commerce in Vietnam in 2024-2025: a rapidly changing market, where video-based models such as livestreaming, shoppertainment, and short videos are increasingly gaining ground. She explained that nowadays, buyers prefer watching to reading, so short videos have become the "new language" of e-commerce – just a few dozen seconds can convey the complete story of a product in a visual and engaging way.

 

Noticing the villagers' surprise at terms like "short video" or "shoppertainment," Ms. Ly illustrated with practical examples: videos showcasing agricultural products, medicinal herbs, honey, or handicrafts – familiar items in Muoi Noi. She demonstrated that with just a phone, some natural light, and a few simple steps, villagers could create videos introducing their products that were far more appealing than simply posting static photos as before.

The biggest highlight in the guidance provided by the representative from the Department was affiliate marketing – a model that is still very new to people in remote areas. Ms. Ly briefly explained: affiliate marketing is a form where others help sell products for you through videos or posts, and only when an order is placed do the sellers have to share a small commission. This means that people don't have to spend their own money on advertising, don't need to understand algorithms or run complex marketing campaigns. This is a model that, according to Ms. Ly, "is very suitable for Muổi Nọi's situation – good products, but limited resources for promotion."

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Ly, Deputy Head of the Information, Service and Training Department, Center for E-commerce and Digital Technology Development – ​​eComDX, Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy

Ms. Ly also illustrated how people can collaborate with micro-KOLs, local content creators, or acquaintances in the area to spread the word about products through short videos or livestreams. Simply by adding an affiliate marketing link to the video, each successful purchase earns a clear and transparent commission. Upon hearing about this model, many trainees were surprised, as it presented a way to "sell without having to talk much or advertise yourself, yet still reach customers everywhere."

Beyond simply explaining the model, Ms. Ly provided detailed instructions on each practical step: how to create an affiliate account, how to embed product links in videos, how to track performance, and how to interpret order data. With the motto "learn by doing," participants were able to practice directly on their phones, having all their questions answered regarding video upload timing, optimizing content within the first 3 seconds, and tips for attracting more viewers during live streams.

 

Local people and young people are practicing shooting short videos to help sell products online.

Thanks to its practical, relatable, and easy-to-apply teaching methods, the training session helped the people of Muoi Noi not only access new e-commerce trends but also start selling online immediately after the session, opening new doors for local products to reach a wider market.

Representatives from the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy also affirmed that the program in Muoi Noi commune is just one of many activities within the Department's long-term strategy to narrow the digital divide between regions. In the future, the Department will continue to cooperate with Son La province and many other localities nationwide to implement training programs suitable to the actual conditions of each region, especially focusing on skills that are becoming trends such as short videos, livestreaming, and affiliate marketing. These are tools that help rural people, cooperatives, and small businesses access a wider market without requiring high costs or complex techniques.

According to the Department's representative, the most important goal is to help people confidently practice and gradually apply e-commerce in a sustainable, safe, and effective manner. Future programs will not only focus on disseminating knowledge but also enhance on-site practical activities and provide personalized support for specific local product groups. By sending staff to provide hands-on guidance, the Department hopes to create a tangible transformation in people's awareness and skills, contributing to opening up new economic opportunities for disadvantaged areas.

Bringing e-commerce to the people of Muoi Noi

On November 21st, in Muoi Noi commune (Thuan Chau district, Son La province), the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy (Ministry of Industry and Trade) collaborated with the Son La Department of Industry and Trade to organize a training conference to enhance e-commerce application skills in 2025. The program was implemented with the spirit of "going to the local area – providing hands-on guidance," helping people easily access practical skills such as creating short videos, implementing affiliate marketing, and promoting local specialty products in the digital environment.