Additionally, 32 outstanding firms have received support to launch online storefronts on Alibaba.com, marking the beginning of their journeys in cross-border exports.

This information was shared at a workshop held in Hanoi on November 10 to review the project “Promote Exports to EU Markets through E-Commerce for Women-owned Businesses in Vietnam.” The workshop was jointly organised by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade), the SheTrades Hub of the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Vietnam.

At the event, Hoang Minh Chien, Deputy Director of Vietrade, highlighted that over the years, Vietrade and ITC's SheTrades have collaborated closely to promote inclusive trade, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and empower women within the digital economy. With assistance from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Dutch Embassy, the project was officially launched in November 2024, representing a new milestone in supporting women-led businesses to explore export opportunities in Europe through cross-border e-commerce platforms like Alibaba.com.

Chien emphasised that digital transformation and e-commerce have transitioned from future trends to current realities, reshaping global business. With support from international partners and digital platforms, SMEs, especially those led by women, now have quicker, more efficient, and sustainable pathways to expand globally.

The official said he was proud to see Vietnamese women entrepreneurs from provinces and cities like Vinh Long, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Bac Ninh, and Thai Nguyen confidently entering the e-commerce space. They are embracing technology, enhancing their competitiveness, and becoming pioneers of Vietnam’s digital business generation, he remarked.

Chien also noted that although the project has wrapped up, the mission to enhance digital capacity among Vietnamese women entrepreneurs is just beginning. Vietrade will continue to collaborate with RVO, the Dutch Embassy, ITC SheTrades, and other partners to broaden training, networking, and export promotion programmes, focusing on agricultural products, processed foods, consumer goods, and handicrafts, where women-led firms have competitive advantages and growth potential in the European market.

Muriel Tombrink, Project Manager of ITC SheTrades, stated that the project’s goal from the beginning was to equip Vietnamese women entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, tools, and confidence to thrive in cross-border e-commerce. Furthermore, it aimed to create a sustainable, inclusive ecosystem in which women-owned businesses not only participate in but also lead within the digital economy.

The project delivered comprehensive training and practical support in digital marketing, customer development, and market research. It also encouraged the use of e-commerce platforms to enhance business opportunities. To ensure lasting impact, ITC SheTrades organised Training of Trainers workshops for 13 business support organisations across four provinces, fostering connections among women entrepreneurs nationwide and establishing a local support network for ongoing digital trade.

A key highlight of the initiative was the onboarding of 32 women-led enterprises onto Alibaba.com, combined with hands-on training in product positioning, online promotion, and customer management.

Overall, more than 600 women-led enterprises benefited from the project’s training, while 13 partner organisations enhanced their expertise in supporting women in e-commerce. Between June and September 2025, the 32 participating firms recorded over 455,000 buyer searches and 85,000 page views, indicating increased visibility and growing confidence in the global digital marketplace.

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