HCMC — Vietnam’s first international B2B e-commerce platform connecting local businesses with U.S. distributors was launched today, August 8, aiming to streamline exportation to the U.S. market amid rising trade costs.
The platform, VietnamUSA.Arobid.com, offers round-the-clock, borderless access to U.S. partners and global supply chains. It combines virtual exhibitions with cross-border transactions, and integrates digital tools such as traceability systems and ESG (environmental, social and governance) assessments.
Vu Ba Phu, head of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said the initiative reflects a strategic shift in Vietnam’s export promotion efforts. “This platform is not just a technical tool; it is a strategic step forward in adapting to a changing global landscape,” he said at the launch ceremony.
The launch comes just a week after the U.S. imposed a 20% reciprocal tariff on imports from Vietnam. Though Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. reached nearly US$119 billion in 2024, up 23.3% year-on-year, most transactions remain reliant on traditional trade methods. These often involve multiple intermediaries and higher costs.
In the first half of 2025 alone, Vietnam exported US$70.91 billion worth of goods to the U.S., but B2B e-commerce remains a small part of total transactions.
Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), in particular, struggle with meeting transparency requirements, traceability, ESG compliance, and international certifications. The new platform is expected to support businesses in meeting these standards while reducing reliance on intermediaries and enhancing access to the U.S. market.
“This approach is aligned with national efforts to promote digital trade ecosystems, including online trade fairs, B2B services, logistics, banking, and insurance,” Phu added.
As Vietnam and the U.S. mark 30 years of diplomatic ties in 2025, bilateral trade has grown nearly 300-fold since 1995, when it was valued at just US$451 million. In 2024, total trade reached US$132 billion, with the U.S. remaining Vietnam’s largest export destination and second-largest overall trade partner.
