After nearly three years launching the “Buy Vietnamese” campaign which persuades Vietnamese consumers to give priority to Vietnamese goods on their shopping list”, consumers in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province have basically changed their perception of the value of Vietnamese goods and benefits of using goods made by domestic producers. However, according to campaign steering committee, this programme still has certain limitations and Vietnamese companies need to work harder to make their goods rooted deeply in the domestic market.
Currently, consumers fully understand that using Vietnamese goods is a practical action, a sign of patriotism, self-reliance and national pride. Using Vietnamese goods also helps companies boost production of high-quality goods to meet consumer demand in the country, and enhance competition against foreign rivals. As for manufacturers, the campaign has added their resources to expand production and further improve quality and prestige of products and services.
Impression
The “Buy Vietnamese” campaign in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province has gathered all walks of life, from officials, civil servants to merchants, businesspeople, workers and farmers. The movement has created a cohesive glue to interlink administrators, producers, distributors and consumers, aiming at the ultimate goal of making Vietnamese goods the mainstay on the domestic market.
The focus of the campaign is the “bring Vietnamese goods to the countryside" programme. Images illustrating promoters and salesmen handing goods over to countryside consumers are quite familiar now. In response to these efforts, countryside farmers also wait and accept Vietnamese-branded merchandises in lieu of foreign ones. The “bring Vietnamese goods to the countryside" programme is organised more often and more carefully with more products to meet the growing demand of consumers. In the first six months of 2012 alone, six countryside sales were organised in localities, earning more than VND7 billion.
Notably, each trip has new companies registering to join. Apart from popular Ba Ria - Vung Tau faces like Baseafood, Hoang Dung, Co-op Mart, Cau Vong and Van Tuong Garment, many companies from other provinces and cities like Vocarimex, Tam Linh, Acecook Vietnam, and Uni President Vietnam have joined the campaign. Now, many companies have realised the actual benefit that they can sell products without much less expenditure for advertising and marketing by joining the campaign. Some grasped the opportunity to build distribution networks in the province, and tap potential rural markets.
According to the campaign steering committee, in spite of many successes achieved, the programme still has many limitations. More goods should be introduced to countryside marketplaces. Currently, conventional markets are dominated by foreign goods and smuggled goods. Consumers there have little opportunity to access locally made products because producers have not established close ties with market management boards, market management authorities, and merchants to set up distribution networks and arrange goods in marketplaces. Vendors in conventional markets lack interest in exhibiting, introducing and promoting Vietnamese goods to consumers.
Shallow
To make Vietnamese goods the first choice rather than priority choice on the shopping list of consumers, perhaps, producers and authorities must work harder to change the reality. Mr Truong Van Thoi, Director of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Trade Promotion Centre, said: The effectiveness of the “Buy Vietnamese” campaign where the “bring Vietnamese goods to the countryside” is the core depends on canvassing activities. In reality, more buyers went to buy in localities with better propaganda activities.
Do Thi Ngoc, Vice Chairwoman of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Consumer Protection Association, said: Strict handling of trade frauds in business activities is also very important. She explained that when consumers trusted in Vietnamese goods, low-quality foreign goods are stuck Vietnamese brands to swindle consumers. This stains the reputation of domestic companies. I hope authorities will intensify inspection and handle violators and hope vendors will not abet fraudulent acts.
Hoang Van Minh, Director of Baria Vungtau Seafood Processing and Import Export Joint Stock Company (Baseafood), said: "Consumers must be respected. From practical experience on the domestic market, we see that product quality is vital to businesses. It will be a mistake to undervalue domestic consumers. All Baseafood-branded products sold on the domestic market are guarantee quality, hygiene and safety standards certified by quality authorities. Designs, packages, packing standards are continuously improved to catch the attention and sympathy of consumers. Price must be reasonable and affordable.”
Pham Thi Huynh An, Deputy Director of Co-op Mart BR-VT Supermarket, said: Vietnamese goods must be cheap enough to attract consumers. Retailers must always have give priority to Vietnamese goods. At present Vietnamese goods account for more than 90 percent. Vietnamese people, particularly rural people always prefer cheap prices. Hence, goods sold in the countryside are discounted 5 - 40 percent.
Then, to root deeply on the domestic market in the coming time, consumers must understand the purpose and significance of using Vietnamese goods. Producers must focus on improving their quality of products and services, protect legitimate rights of consumers, etc.
L.P
Vietnamese
