Ms. Le Thi Kim Thoa, a resident of Vinh Phong commune, is a typical example of a rural woman who dared to change her perspective and boldly use new technologies to develop her business, thereby bringing local specialties closer to consumers in her province and beyond. Previously, Ms. Thoa’s family mainly operated a small business selling local delicacies such as dried shrimp, dried snakefish, dried catfish, and fresh shrimp and crabs. The products were mainly sold to regular customers and in traditional markets in the region, leading to irregular sales dependent on fluctuations in demand.
Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Nhan presents OCOP products and local specialties in the family business. Photo: HUYNH HUYEN
Seeing the growing popularity of online commerce, Ms Thoa researched and learned how to sell products on social media. Initially, she used her phone to photograph her products and post presentations on platforms like Facebook, Zalo and TikTok. His first publications were simple: the images left something to be desired and the descriptions were brief. But thanks to her perseverance and thirst for learning, she gradually mastered the layout, the choice of shooting angles and the production of clearer and more attractive product videos.
Unsatisfied with just selling on social media, Ms Thoa undertook extensive research into opening a store on Shopee. Its presence on e-commerce platforms has allowed it to expand its customer base, particularly in large cities, where demand is strong for regional specialties, dry goods and ecological artisanal products. Ms Thoa explains: “Through selling on Facebook and Zalo, as well as creating videos and live broadcasts on TikTok, my products have become more well-known. Previously, I only sold in my village, but now customers from several provinces order regularly, the order volume is stable, and advertising costs are low. Above all, I can highlight the quality and origin of my products, establish a relationship of trust with my customers and improve my family’s income. »
For live shrimp and crabs, Ms. Thoa favors rapid processing of orders, careful packaging and constant monitoring of delivery in order to guarantee the quality of the products upon their arrival at the customer. After a gradual transition from traditional commerce to online sales, its business model has stabilized considerably. Its turnover has increased significantly and its clientele, formerly confined to the municipality, now extends to many provinces and cities.
In the Rach Gia district, Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Nhan, a small trader selling OCOP products and local specialties, is a perfect example. His company currently distributes nearly 100 OCOP products and regional specialties, favoring products of known origin and appreciated by consumers, such as traditional fish sauce, pineapple wine, honey, swallow’s nests, palm flower nectar, cereal cakes and many other processed products from the province. Realizing the benefits of digital transformation to expand its market, Ms. Nhan put its entire catalog online, creating images and information for each product in accordance with OCOP standards, clearly indicating the origin, production unit, expiration date and storage instructions. This allows customers to easily choose, compare and order, especially those who live far away and tourists wishing to bring back specialties as souvenirs.
In addition to OCOP (One Commune, One Product) food products, Ms. Nhan has diversified her business by offering artisanal items such as rush bags and traditional mats. The sale of these products online has allowed them to make themselves known to a large clientele, both inside and outside the province, thus contributing to the preservation of traditional crafts and increasing the income of artisans. “To reach a wider audience, I promote my products through short videos and live broadcasts on TikTok, which has led to a steady increase in orders,” Ms. Nhan said.
Ms Ho Thi Tuyet Hoa, a regular customer at Ms Nhan’s establishment, said she often orders specialty fish sauce and rice for her family. “I discovered Ms. Nhan’s products through her TikTok channel and I follow her closely. The videos clearly present the origin of the products, the prices are reasonable and the customer service is very pleasant, which gives me the confidence to place regular orders. »
Currently, grassroots digital transformation is gradually opening up new development prospects for women, from production and trade to the promotion of local specialties and the creation of personal brands online. This demonstrates that women are increasingly adaptable and dynamic in the digital age, contributing to the spread of digital transformation within the community.
HUYNH HUYEN
