He noted that in the current context, Vietnamese enterprises can opt to both collaborate and compete with Chinese businesses directly within their own market.
JOURNALIST: - Sir, in light of recent developments, including the establishment of numerous GIGA warehouses by China near the Vietnamese border, which grants Chinese goods several competitive advantages in accessing the Vietnamese market, how does this impact Vietnamese goods?
Mr. NGUYỄN ANH ĐỨC: - The emergence of GIGA warehouses near the Vietnamese border by China is not a novel development; I've been aware of it for several months now. This situation presents both opportunities and challenges for consumers and domestic businesses alike. Firstly, it can be viewed as an opportunity, as the presence of these warehouses expands consumer choices, offering better prices and improved quality. Additionally, it serves as a catalyst for the development of Vietnam's domestic logistics system, compelling us to enhance competitiveness against foreign goods. Moreover, it offers an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to utilize these warehouses to export Vietnamese goods into the Chinese market, facilitating easier access to the vast Chinese market.
Conversely, it poses a challenge for domestic manufacturing and retail distribution businesses, as they must now contend with a formidable competitor offering a wider range of products at lower prices, with comparable quality. This underscores the necessity for Vietnamese businesses to adapt their models, restructure production and distribution, and adopt a proactive mindset to remain competitive on their own turf.
- Currently, Chinese businesses have begun employing artificial intelligence (AI) for sales, such as utilizing virtual employees for AI livestream sales. What challenges does this pose to Vietnamese manufacturing and retail businesses, sir?
- This indeed presents a significant challenge for Vietnamese businesses, including those in the retail sector. From one perspective, Vietnamese enterprises appear to lag behind their Chinese counterparts in terms of digital transformation and technology adoption in the sales process. The pertinent question arising from this scenario is whether Vietnamese businesses have genuinely embraced digital transformation, adapted their models, and effectively applied technology to production and sales. It's important to recognize that such technology is not exclusive to China; many other countries possess similar capabilities. The key issue lies in whether Vietnamese retail businesses are proactively investing in these technologies.
I believe there are three primary challenges confronting domestic businesses. Firstly, Vietnamese enterprises must ascertain their readiness for this new paradigm and determine their approach, whether it be cooperative or competitive. In terms of cooperation, Vietnamese enterprises can proactively engage with Chinese counterparts to jointly leverage distribution channels like GIGA warehouses and AI technology. Through collaboration, both sides stand to benefit, with Vietnamese businesses gaining access to broader markets, including the Chinese market, while continuing to serve consumers in Vietnam and beyond.
Secondly, it is imperative for Vietnam to establish a framework of regulations, often termed as "technical barriers," in trade to safeguard its domestic production and distribution businesses while aligning with international trade laws, including the RCEP Agreement and bilateral trade agreements with China concerning free trade. These technical barriers can address specific aspects such as regulations governing the scope and activities of businesses in cyberspace, as well as regulations pertaining to propaganda information and advertising. These measures aim to protect Vietnam's domestic industries while ensuring compliance with international trade agreements.
Thirdly, from the standpoint of Vietnamese retail distributors, it is essential to consider the proactive adoption of AI technology solutions. Given that Vietnamese businesses already possess existing warehouses within their systems, which could potentially offer greater convenience compared to Chinese counterparts, there exists a compelling rationale for integrating technology and AI into the sales process. If businesses have yet to embrace this technology, collaboration among them to facilitate the distribution of goods could prove beneficial and enhance competitiveness in the market.
- Thank you very much.
