High-quality human resources – the foundation for sustainable e-commerce

This was the overarching message emphasized by experts, managers, and business representatives at the 2025 E-commerce Trainer Training Program – themed “Human Resources for Sustainable E-commerce,” organized by the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy (Ministry of Industry and Trade) in collaboration with the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM) and the Foreign Trade University. The event, recently held in Hanoi, brought together dozens of leading experts and over 100 lecturers from universities and academies across the country.The event brought together representatives from regulatory agencies, industry associations, businesses, and nearly 100 lecturers from more than 50 universities and colleges nationwide.

In his welcoming remarks at the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien, Vice Rector of the Foreign Trade University, emphasized that e-commerce has become a key driving force in Vietnam's digital transformation. The university is proud to partner with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and VECOM in standardizing and enhancing training capacity, thereby fostering a new generation of human resources – individuals who are both digitally savvy and understand the market economy.

Next, Dr. Le Hoang Oanh, Director of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy (Ministry of Industry and Trade), affirmed that the training program is a key activity in the implementation of the National E-commerce Development Master Plan for the period 2026–2030, approved by Decision No. 1568/QD-BCT dated June 3, 2025. According to her, the new phase requires a strong shift from growth speed to growth quality, with particular emphasis on sustainability, fairness, and environmental friendliness.

Representing the business community, Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen, Vice President of the Vietnam E-commerce Association, argued that the link between schools, management agencies, and businesses needs to be strengthened. "Lecturers are crucial bridges of knowledge, sowing the seeds for a generation of digital professionals capable of quickly adapting to the global market," he said.

Opening the thematic session, Ms. Tran Bich Ngoc, Deputy Head of the Policy Department, Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy, presented the core content of the National E-commerce Development Master Plan for the period 2026–2030. The plan sets ambitious goals: to double the market size compared to 2025, increase the proportion of cross-border e-commerce, promote green e-commerce, and build a digital workforce capable of international integration.

During the panel discussion, experts from various universities and businesses shared diverse perspectives.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Thoan (Foreign Trade University) stated that, in order to achieve sustainable development goals, training institutions need to continuously update teaching content according to international standards, strengthen practical modules, and encourage students to participate in real-world business projects.

Dr. Tran Thi Thap (Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology) analyzed that integrating new technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics into the curriculum will help students grasp global digital business trends. Meanwhile, Dr. Dam Thanh Tu (Institute of Policy and Development) argued that training e-commerce human resources must be linked to a "green" vision – aiming to minimize environmental impact and develop circular economy models.

Businesses also share the view on the need for bridging theory and practice. Mr. Nguyen Khanh Toan, representative of TikTok Shop Vietnam, emphasized that understanding consumer behavior on digital platforms needs to be systematically taught. Mr. Chu Manh Trung (Accesstrade Vietnam) suggested that schools should incorporate practical case studies on affiliate marketing, behavioral data, and cross-border commerce into their curricula, helping students better understand how the global digital economy operates.

The second session, presented by Dr. Le Hoang Oanh, attracted significant attention from both academics and businesses. According to her, over the past decade, Vietnam's e-commerce has experienced impressive growth, but it has also revealed many shortcomings: regional disparities, negative environmental impacts, and issues in protecting consumer rights. Therefore, the Draft Law on E-commerce (2025) is being developed to replace existing decrees, aiming for a more comprehensive and sustainable legal framework.

During the discussion, Ms. Do Hong Hanh (Amazon Global Selling Vietnam) shared international experiences on ensuring consumer rights, emphasizing that the legal framework must be accompanied by strong enforcement mechanisms.

Associate Professor Tran Ngoc Mai (Banking Academy) believes that the new law needs to clearly define the responsibilities of e-commerce platforms in controlling counterfeit and substandard goods.

From the perspective of a domestic business, Mr. Phan Manh Ha (Shopee Vietnam) affirmed: "The development of the E-commerce Law aims not only to control but also to encourage innovation, helping Vietnamese businesses to compete effectively with international platforms."

Professor Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien emphasized the particularly important role of developing a team of lecturers with in-depth expertise in the fields of e-commerce and digital economy to meet the requirements of the modern context.

Also during this session, delegates agreed that education on e-commerce law at universities needs to be strengthened, helping students – especially those in digital economics – to have a proper understanding of regulations, obligations, and rights in the online business environment.

In the afternoon session, Mr. Nguyen Huy Hoang (Bross & Partners Law Firm) presented a topic on the legal system related to e-commerce. He stated that the development of e-commerce is closely linked to many fields such as information technology, digital payments, logistics, data security, and cybersecurity. Synchronizing laws – such as the Law on Personal Data Protection (2025), the Law on Digital Transformation, and decrees on tax management in e-commerce – will create a solid legal foundation, minimizing risks for businesses.

During the discussion, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, a member of the VECOM's Senior Advisory Council on E-commerce, along with other experts, emphasized the importance of incorporating digital law modules into training programs. There was a consensus that lecturers should not only convey regulations but also help students understand the relationship between law and business practice, especially in the context of Vietnam's goal of having a digital economy accounting for 30% of GDP by 2030.

The final topic, presented by Mr. Tran Van Trong, General Secretary of VECOM, focused on the results and direction of the VecomNet network – which brings together more than 50 universities and dozens of technology companies. He stated that, after three years of operation, VecomNet has become an effective platform connecting training and practice, with activities such as Unitour, the Digital Business competition, lecturer training, scientific seminars, and the linkage of e-commerce student clubs.

Speakers at the seminar offered several specific suggestions to increase the effectiveness of cooperation:

Associate Professor Dr. Truong Duc Thao (Dai Nam University) emphasized the need to innovate the coordination mechanism between universities to avoid duplication of activities and expand international cooperation.

Dr. Dao Anh Tuan (Mining and Geology University) suggested that each university should have its own e-commerce application research group, linking with businesses to solve practical problems.

Mr. Tuan Ha (Vinalink) believes that enhancing digital marketing and platform operation skills is essential so that students can find employment immediately after graduation.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ngo Van Toan (Haravan Hanoi) shared his experience in coordinating between businesses and schools in implementing internships, helping students experience a real-world e-commerce environment.

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Thai Huu Ly (Vietnam Internet Center, Ministry of Science and Technology) emphasized the importance of developing digital infrastructure and domain name management – ​​fundamental elements for all e-commerce activities. He suggested that universities closely cooperate with management agencies to enhance students' understanding of information security and network security.

After a busy day of work, the program concluded with a certificate awarding ceremony for the participating instructors. In his closing remarks, the representative of the Organizing Committee emphasized that the e-commerce instructor training program was not only a professional activity but also a symbol of the spirit of innovation in education and the digital economy of Vietnam.

With a strategic orientation for the period 2026–2030, Vietnam's e-commerce sector will enter a phase of quality development, with human resources considered a key factor. The collaboration between the Ministry of Industry and Trade, universities, and businesses in training and developing lecturers is a strategic step to ensure the sustainable development of the digital economy, harmonizing economic growth with social responsibility.

The "E-commerce Trainer Training Program 2025" in Hanoi is not only a forum for professional exchange, but also demonstrates the determination of the State, universities, and businesses in building a high-quality human resource foundation for Vietnam's e-commerce sector. From the experts' sharing, it is clear that Vietnam's direction in the coming period is towards sustainable, comprehensive, and responsible development, aiming for a modern, equitable, and humane digital society.