Digital consumption – contributing to the acceleration of national digital transformation.

Aiming to support citizens in enjoying the benefits of digital transformation and to help digital technology businesses access a wider range of potential customers, government agencies and the business community have collaborated to implement policies offering discounts and incentives of up to 50% on digital products and services in October 2022. This policy aims to attract people's attention to online shopping and other digital commerce activities, thereby promoting digital skills among the population – gradually fostering digital citizenship and fostering the development of the digital economy and society.

Mr. Nguyen Binh Minh, a member of the Executive Board of the Vietnam E-commerce Association and also an online entrepreneur, observed: "I believe such efforts by government agencies are very important to promote the shift towards using digital technologies nationwide. Currently, many people still lack the habit of using many services and products in the digital environment. It's mainly due to habit, not because it's too difficult."

Encouraging users, especially by encouraging them to experiment and experience digital technologies, is crucial. Digital experiences often yield unexpected results, leading users to embrace digital activities. Promoting and encouraging the digital consumption movement will create a wave that helps users shift their activities to the digital environment sooner.”

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This isn't just the subjective opinion of an expert in online shopping. It's a fact, an experience that Ms. Nguyen Thu Lan from Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, has gained after a period of digital exploration, especially after participating in the Digital Consumer Month: “I don't have time to go out, so I buy online. There are good quality products. I've tried online payment. I feel safe and they don't cheat me. I want online shopping to develop more.”

Initial results confirm that the Digital Consumption Month (October 2022) is one of the starting steps – helping the community gradually gain basic understanding to participate more actively in digital activities within the "component" of digital society-digital economy-digital government.

However, Mr. Dang Tung Anh, Deputy Director of the Digital Government Center, National Digital Transformation Department, Ministry of Information and Communications, also affirmed that, when participating in the online environment, the habits of many consumers will not stop at just one or two activities such as online shopping or online learning, but often browse, use, or simultaneously use other digital services: video games, digital entertainment, social networks, digital publishing... across multiple channels, which poses quite a few risks and challenges.

Mr. Dang Tung Anh, Deputy Director of the Digital Government Center, National Digital Transformation Department, Ministry of Information and Communications, cited an example: “For instance, when conducting transactions in the digital environment, people need to identify which content and websites are trustworthy, avoiding providing information to services and websites of unknown origin, preventing information leaks, and avoiding fraud. Furthermore, in the digital environment, data is paramount. Just as we have locks and safes at home, in the digital environment, personal accounts, images, and private data must be secure and protected to prevent intrusion. It is necessary to monitor information on various media channels to stay updated on information security issues in the digital environment. While awareness of digital technology is important, awareness of digital security is even more crucial.”

Vietnamese people are using the internet extensively – with nearly 70 million people, accounting for about 70% of the population, each person accessing it for several hours a day on average, engaging in various digital consumption activities. This is a positive reality – a favorable condition for promoting Vietnam's digital economy, digital government, and future digital society. And although it only lasted for one month, October – the 2022 Digital Consumption Month – partly affirmed the efforts of relevant authorities to promote digital transformation.

However, as analyzed by economic expert Dr. Nguyen Dinh Cung, it is not only necessary to organize programs that promote digital experiences more frequently, but also to have more systematic strategies to build trust among consumers.

“I observe that the online market is very vibrant, especially among young people, who are buying and selling online more frequently. But this is a long-term process that needs to be pursued continuously, not just launched for a few months. When problems arise that could hinder or harm the parties involved, or if anyone suffers losses in a transaction, the State needs tools to support and protect them,” said Dr. Nguyen Dinh Cung.

For the first time, Vietnam held a Digital Consumption Month. Although this was just one of the prominent activities within the framework of the National Digital Transformation Day on October 10th, it received significant media attention and social support. While the initial results may not have met expectations in terms of quantity, the goal of "not simply offering discounts and stimulating digital consumption, but attracting experiences and enhancing digital skills for the people, aiming towards digital government, digital economy, and digital society" clearly demonstrates the need for more Digital Consumption Months like the one in October 2022.