On November 28th, in Thai Nguyen City, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy), in coordination with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen Province, and digital technology businesses and banks, organized a conference to launch the pilot plan to support the digital transformation of wholesale and retail stores and households in Thai Nguyen Province.
This event marks the beginning of a large-scale digital transformation support program, targeting nearly 20,000 business households across the province, in the context of constantly changing tax management, business administration, and market trends. The selection of Thai Nguyen as a pilot location is considered a crucial step, contributing to laying the foundation before replicating the model nationwide.
.jpeg)
Overview of the Conference
Attending the conference were the Permanent Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan; the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen Province, Vuong Quoc Tuan; the Deputy Director of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy, Hoang Ninh; along with leaders from the Department of Science and Technology, the Tax Department of Thai Nguyen Province, and representatives from VNPT, Viettel, MISA, Bkav, Sapo, VTC, and BIDV. The event also brought together approximately 500 business households and many digital technology companies, banks, and specialized agencies.
Thai Nguyen is determined to accelerate the digital transformation of household businesses.
.jpeg)
Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen Province, Vuong Quoc Tuan
In his opening remarks at the conference, Chairman of the Thai Nguyen Provincial People's Committee Vuong Quoc Tuan emphasized that the province is prioritizing the development of a dynamic digital economy, in which the household business sector plays a particularly important role.
According to Mr. Tuan, changes in management methods, data transparency requirements, and market shifts are creating both new opportunities and challenges. Therefore, the pilot implementation is not only about providing technical support, but also about helping businesses access more modern management methods, forming a habit of digitizing production and business operations, thereby improving operational efficiency and competitiveness.
.jpeg)
The Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen province stated that the province will closely coordinate with ministries, departments, and technology companies to ensure the program is implemented effectively, creating conditions for business households to experience suitable, easy-to-use, and immediately applicable digital solutions.
The "three-way cooperation" model
.jpeg)
Mr. Hoang Ninh, Deputy Director of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy, Ministry of Industry and Trade
At the conference, Mr. Hoang Ninh, Deputy Director of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy, Ministry of Industry and Trade, emphasized the necessity of innovation in the wholesale and retail sectors. Mr. Hoang Ninh noted that Thai Nguyen province has a diverse retail economy, a dynamic business community, and a rapidly developing e-commerce ecosystem, ranging from traditional markets and commercial streets to tea-producing villages and processed agricultural products. This is why the province was chosen as the starting point for a model supporting digital transformation in the wholesale and retail sector.
Based on that experience, Mr. Ninh believes that digital transformation is no longer an option but a mandatory requirement, especially since from January 1, 2026, tax management based on actual revenue and electronic invoices will be uniformly applied nationwide. The pilot program in Thai Nguyen therefore acts as a "bridge," helping businesses adapt early and digitize their daily work in a simple, cost-effective, and efficient manner.
.jpeg)
Mr. Ninh introduced the "three-party cooperation" model, which includes government guidance, technology companies and banks providing digital solutions, and business households acting as the direct implementers. This model helps put digital transformation tools into practice, provides on-site guidance, is easy to use, and allows for immediate measurement of results through sales management, electronic invoices, digital payments, and business data.
In Thai Nguyen, the Department of E-commerce and Digital Technology will closely coordinate with provincial departments and agencies to implement the program in different groups of business households, avoiding a scattered approach and ensuring it suits local characteristics. The focus includes: supporting households in markets and streets in applying sales software and cash registers; providing direct practical guidance at sales points; promoting the role of community digital technology groups; and expanding modern sales channels through e-commerce platforms, social networks, and community livestreaming programs.
Mr. Ninh also assessed that Thai Nguyen has the potential to become a "bright spot for digital exports" thanks to its advantages in tea and processed agricultural products. Following the recent cross-border e-commerce cooperation agreement between the Department of E-commerce and Digital Technology and Shopee, the province will be able to select a group of key products to standardize documentation and list them on international sales channels.
Mr. Ninh affirmed that the program's goal is to bring real value to businesses and households: easier sales, more transparent management, increased revenue, and gradual deeper participation in the digital market.
Synchronizing policies and resources for the pilot digital transformation of household businesses.
.jpeg)
From a policy perspective, the Thai Nguyen Provincial Tax Department presented a roadmap for changing the tax calculation method, highlighting the urgent need for transformation. Accordingly, from January 1, 2026, the lump-sum tax method will cease, replaced by declaration based on actual revenue. The report emphasized the mandatory requirements for electronic invoices, transaction management, and transparent declaration; and affirmed that the pilot program serves as a "bridge" to help business households adapt promptly, reduce risks, and ensure compliance with the law.
.jpeg)
In parallel with policy directions, the technology and banking sectors participating in the program have made many concrete commitments. At the conference, VNPT, Viettel, MISA, Bkav, Sapo, VTC, and BIDV introduced practical support packages such as 6 months of free sales management software, 5,000 free initial electronic invoices, 6 months of free digital signatures, and committed to providing technical support throughout the transition process. BIDV Bank will also participate in opening accounts, providing guidance on electronic payments and digital invoices, contributing to promoting cashless payments and increasing transparency in business operations.
.jpeg)
One of the key highlights of the Conference was the signing ceremony between central and local authorities and digital technology businesses to officially issue the Plan for coordinated implementation of the pilot program in Thai Nguyen province. Representatives from central agencies, including leaders from the Ministry of Science and Technology, signed the Plan for coordinated implementation of digital transformation in the wholesale and retail sectors with leaders from the Thai Nguyen Provincial People's Committee, affirming their commitment to continuous collaboration throughout the implementation process. Following this, the Conference proceeded with the signing of a four-party cooperation agreement between the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the Department of Digital Economy and Digital Society (Ministry of Science and Technology), the Thai Nguyen Provincial Department of Science and Technology, and participating digital technology businesses and banks. These signed documents serve as an important basis for unifying the coordination mechanism, clearly assigning responsibilities, and mobilizing resources, ensuring the pilot program is implemented synchronously, effectively, and on schedule.
.jpeg)
Following the conference, implementation activities will take place synchronously in all localities of the province. According to the plan, by the end of June 2026, Thai Nguyen will complete the survey and assessment of the level of digital transformation of business households, organize more than 180 workshops and training courses on digital skills, and select and honor exemplary models to disseminate in the community.
.jpeg)
Permanent Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan delivered a speech at the conference.
In his keynote address at the conference, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan highly appreciated the close coordination between the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Technology, local authorities, and businesses. The Deputy Minister emphasized that supporting digital transformation for household businesses – a large force in traditional commerce – will significantly contribute to building a comprehensive digital economy and enhancing national competitiveness.
With the strong commitment of the Government, the support of businesses, and the serious preparation of Thai Nguyen province, the pilot plan to support digital transformation of household businesses is expected to create a breakthrough, helping digital transformation penetrate deeply into the wholesale and retail sectors; thereby creating a solid foundation for replicating the model nationwide.
