OVs encouraged to expand distribution channels for Vietnamese goods abroad

Overseas Vietnamese are expected to serve as a strategic on-site force in promoting Vietnamese goods and expanding access to global retail systems and supply chains, particularly in countries with large Vietnamese communities.

On April 3, 2026, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính enacted Directive No. 11/CT-TTg, a strategic initiative designed to harness the influence of the overseas Vietnamese (OV) community to expand the global footprint of Vietnamese products through 2030. This policy recognizes that between 2020 and 2024, the diaspora played a pivotal role in trade promotion, and the government now seeks to formalize and scale this success. By positioning OVs as a "strategic on-site force," the directive aims to move beyond traditional markets and integrate Vietnamese goods into major international supermarket chains and reputable retail systems, particularly in regions with high concentrations of Vietnamese residents.

The directive is closely aligned with the ambitious economic targets set by the 14th National Party Congress, which envisions Vietnam attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030 and becoming a high-income developed nation by 2045. To support this transition, the government is shifting its export strategy toward sustainability and high-tech competitiveness. The mandate calls for Vietnamese products to meet rigorous international "green" and digital standards, with an emphasis on improved traceability and anti-counterfeiting measures. By 2030, the goal is for OVs to participate in distribution networks across every country and territory they inhabit, acting as a primary bridge for domestic small- and medium-sized enterprises to navigate global supply chains.

A major focus of the directive is the promotion of "Make in Vietnam" technologies on the world stage. The Ministry of Science and Technology has been tasked with connecting the diaspora with the domestic innovation ecosystem to commercialize cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, semiconductors, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Simultaneously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Trade will work to strengthen economic diplomacy, supporting the formation of foreign business associations and the development of essential logistics and warehousing infrastructure to stabilize supply lines abroad.

The implementation plan involves a multi-ministerial effort to modernize how Vietnam does business globally. This includes expanding e-commerce adoption, creating digital databases for enterprises, and hosting large-scale international trade fairs. While the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will focus on integrating OVs into agricultural supply chains, the Ministry of Finance is responsible for removing administrative barriers that currently hinder overseas investment by Vietnamese firms. Ultimately, this directive seeks to turn the 6-million-strong overseas Vietnamese community into a powerful engine for national brand recognition, ensuring that Vietnamese-made goods and technologies are competitive in the high-standard markets of the future.