In the context of a rapidly developing digital economy, e-commerce is opening up many attractive entrepreneurial opportunities for young people. However, effectively leveraging this platform still poses many challenges for startups, especially in terms of creative thinking, differentiation, and adaptability to technology.
Creative Thinking – The Biggest Bottleneck
Speaking at the training conference “Applying E-commerce for Youth Startups,” Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Hùng, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Quảng Trị Province, emphasized: In the digital transformation race, young entrepreneurs must quickly access and master modern forms of e-commerce if they do not want to be left behind.
Currently, platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop not only help businesses easily access domestic markets but also create opportunities to expand internationally. However, starting a business on these platforms is not easy due to fierce competition from major enterprises that have already dominated the market early on, such as Amazon, Shopee, or TikTok Shop. In addition, infrastructure barriers – from payment systems, logistics, packaging, to customs procedures – remain significant obstacles for startups.
Nevertheless, according to Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Hùng, the greatest challenge still lies in the lack of creative thinking and the ability to create differentiation in both products and market approaches.
“Success does not only depend on product quality but also on creativity in designing sales applications, advertising campaigns, marketing, and customer service strategies,” Mr. Hùng emphasized.
A Promising Market That Needs More Momentum
Mr. Vi Minh Ngọc, representative of the Center for E-commerce and Digital Technology Development (eComDX) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, stated that e-commerce is no longer just a trend but has become a vital factor that enables enterprises to grow and deeply integrate into the global digital economy.
Although there is no comprehensive statistical data yet, the number of Vietnamese startups in the e-commerce sector remains relatively modest compared to the market’s potential. Therefore, building a favorable environment and sustainable development strategies is essential for e-commerce to become one of the key pillars of the digital economy, while also contributing to the creation of a dynamic and healthy competitive market.
Mr. Ngọc believes that the current booming e-commerce market holds great potential, offering many opportunities for Vietnamese startups. Moreover, starting a business in the e-commerce sector aligns well with the government’s strong push for digital economic development.
AI – The Breakthrough Key for Startups
One of the breakthrough solutions emphasized is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in e-commerce. According to Mr. Ngọc, AI is not only a supporting tool but also a “key” to help businesses optimize their sales processes, enhance customer experience, and build effective marketing strategies.
“AI enables businesses to analyze data, personalize advertisements, and develop smarter marketing campaigns – which is crucial for startups with limited resources,” Mr. Ngọc noted.
Sharing the same perspective, Mr. Cao Quí Long, a representative of eComDX, affirmed that to fully harness AI’s potential, young businesses need to clearly define their goals and build appropriate technology usage strategies. AI can help automate many processes – from market analysis, customer segmentation, to pricing optimization – saving time, reducing costs, and improving efficiency.
Currently, platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop have integrated many AI tools that support young businesses in optimizing products, campaigns, and pricing. However, Mr. Long emphasized that it is very important to monitor and reassess the results generated by AI, as technology cannot completely replace human roles.
“AI cannot do everything, but if used correctly, it will open up opportunities that startups previously could not access,” Mr. Long said. According to him, the ability to grasp and effectively apply AI will become a key factor determining the success of startups in the digital economy.
