The consumer market abroad for Vietnam's science and technology products is still limited, said Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency.

He was speaking at the July trade promotion briefing with the network of Vietnamese trade offices abroad, held under the theme "Market Development for Science and Technology Products".

This situation requires close and synchronized coordination among ministries, industry associations, the business community, and especially Vietnam's network of trade offices abroad. These offices serve as a strategic "bridge" to bring Vietnam's innovative products to the global market.

According to Ms. Truong Thi Chi Binh, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Industries (VASI), Vietnam’s supporting industry enterprises possess strong manufacturing capabilities that meet international standards.

They are particularly strong in fields like mechanics, plastics, electronics, and automation, and are competitive for orders that are not excessively large.

However, Ms. Binh noted that market access is the biggest barrier for the supporting industry. "Businesses are skilled at production but weak in finding customers and expanding markets," she said.

Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Giang, Deputy Chairwoman and General Secretary at the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA), said that Vietnam's information technology sector is experiencing robust growth.

Total industry revenue reached $142 billion in 2023, and $152 billion in 2024. The software sector alone accounts for $13 billion, with exports contributing $7 billion of that total.

The main export outsourcing markets for the industry are developed countries such as the US, Japan, and Europe, along with some nations in Southeast Asia. New markets that businesses are showing interest in include China and countries in the Middle East.

"Similar to the supporting industries, Vietnam's software sector lacks a presence in foreign markets," Ms. Giang said.

She explained that without local representative offices, it is very difficult for businesses to build trust and establish long-term cooperation with partners. This is due to a lack of market information, insufficient connection channels and effective outreach strategies, limited marketing budgets, and legal barriers in foreign markets.