The number of businesses in the Northern Midland and Mountainous Region adopting e-commerce remains modest. The lack of regional connectivity, limited logistics infrastructure, and uneven digital skills pose significant barriers, making it difficult for many highland products to access broader markets.

According to Ms. Le Hoang Oanh, Director of the E-Commerce and Digital Economy Agency at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, digital transformation is no longer an option but an essential requirement. E-commerce is one of the key pillars driving comprehensive digital transformation in localities, especially in economically challenged areas like the Northern Midland and Mountainous Region.

However, the gap in e-commerce development between different regions remains substantial, she said.

“While major cities have established fairly comprehensive e-commerce ecosystems, many provinces in the midland and mountainous areas still face limitations in applying technology to production, distribution, and product consumption.”

Ms. Oanh emphasized that the reason lies in the underdeveloped information technology and logistics infrastructure in many localities within the region.

“The proportion of enterprises utilizing e-commerce remains low, and the digital platform management skills of cooperatives and business households are still limited—particularly in brand building and market expansion.”

Additionally, accessibility to digital platforms, online promotional tools, and livestream sales techniques still presents significant gaps.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Northern Midland and Mountainous Region possesses great potential for e-commerce development due to its diverse ecosystem and rich array of products. However, the lack of regional connectivity, limited logistics infrastructure, and uneven digital skills continue to be major barriers preventing highland products from reaching wider markets.