SMEs urged to use digital technology
Vietnamese firms, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises, should take advantage of the power of digital technology to boost sales and improve competitiveness, delegates said at a workshop held in HCM City on November 2. Việt Nam has a high growth rate of internet penetration, with 52 million internet users or more than half of the population. The number of internet users is expected to reach 82 million by 2020, according to Tammy Phan, head of Channel Sales in Việt Nam of Google Asia-Pacific. Eight out of every 10 Vietnamese are expected to be using a mobile phone by 2020, said Phan. The internet has transformed many aspects of daily life in Việt Nam, including the way consumers interact with businesses. Before making purchasing decisions, 70 per cent of internet users search for information and shopping addresses, and 66 per cent conduct research one day before going to shops to see products.
