Da Nang has rolled out a host of solutions in managing and improving product quality on e-commerce platforms in order to help people feel more secure when shopping online.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hien, a resident of My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, said that she spent VND4-6 million on buying goods on e-commerce platforms every month, of which, about 5-10% of products faced such common errors as poor quality products and services, and lack of goods.

In fact, customers on e-commerce platforms are likely to face quality risks when registering to sell on these platforms is too easy.

Ms. Huynh Tuong Vy, residing in Hoa Minh Ward, Lien Chieu District, who is a retailer on e-commerce platforms, said people just need to provide basic information of their products, delivery location, and bank account to register as a seller in e-commerce website.

During that process, the seller can make exact or false declarations and still be able to register. The simple registration without needing too much authentic information from local authorities causes many people with bad intentions to create virtual stores to scam or sell poor quality products and items to consumers.

Recent statistics released by the municipal Department of Industry and Trade show that about 41 e-commerce platforms are officially allowed to operate in the city, attracting a large number of shoppers.

Since 2020, the Da Nang government has issued Plan No. 7950/KH-UBND dated December 2, 2020 on e-commerce development in Da Nang during the 2021-2025 period.

In particular, the Department of Industry and Trade is tasked with promoting the implementation of e-commerce development solutions in the city. Specifically, the department has coordinated with relevant agencies to implement many activities such as organising conferences, seminars, and training programmes on legal regulations and business skills in the field of e-commerce; and guiding organisations and individuals to register and notify e-commerce websites.

Also according to the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, the legal corridor related to the e-commerce development and online export is not complete and is in the process of being drafted and adjusted to suit the development and continuous change, and to meet new requirements of customers. The completion of regulations and decrees related to e-commerce and online export will establish a favourable business environment, encouraging innovation and creativity of businesses.

According to Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade Le Thi Kim Phuong, although there have been solutions to strengthen the management, handling and fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods in the online environment, the authorities have been still facing difficulties due to old equipment and tools, limited infrastructure and human resources, and unguaranteed network security.

Moreover, counterfeit, imitation and poor quality goods, and those violating intellectual property rights are quite common in the e-commerce environment, affecting consumer confidence in shopping.

A part of consumers do not really care about their rights and benefits, and are hesitant to provide information to management agencies when facing poor quality goods and services.

Mr. Vo Van Khanh, a representative of the Viet Nam E-Commerce Association (VECOM) in the Central and Central Highlands regions, stressed the need for management agencies to increase training and raise awareness about e-commerce and online export for both consumers and businesses aside from updating and supplementing the legal corridor, thereby creating a positive and sustainable operating environment.

Ms. Le Thi Kim Phuong suggested businesses improve their awareness of self-protection; strengthen supervision, management and monitoring; closely follow the market, distribution channels, and consumption areas; proactively provide information about product introduction programmes; and guide consumers to choose reputable and quality suppliers.

On the other hand, she undertook the necessity for sellers, buyers, e-commerce platforms and state management agencies to comply with the laws related to the e-commerce and related regulations in a bid to promote transparency and increase consumer trust.

Reporting by CHIEN THANG - Translating by M.DUNG