Prime minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued Directive No. 11/CT-TTg dated April 3 to enhance the role of overseas Vietnamese in promoting and distributing Vietnamese products and expanding distribution channels abroad for the 2026-2030 period.
The directive noted that the 2020-2024 programme to mobilise overseas Vietnamese was implemented effectively, supporting trade promotion, business connectivity and the development of distribution systems overseas, while reinforcing the campaign “Vietnamese people prioritise Vietnamese goods”.
As Vietnam moves towards its development goals of becoming an upper-middle income country by 2030 and a high-income economy by 2045, authorities see overseas Vietnamese engagement as key to restructuring exports, improving competitiveness under green and digital standards, and strengthening market intelligence and trade promotion.
For the 2026-2030 period, the directive aims to position overseas Vietnamese as a strategic on-site force in distributing Vietnamese goods, maintaining traditional markets and expanding access to global supply chains, particularly in countries with large Vietnamese communities.
Priority will be given to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and maximising benefits from free trade agreements.
By 2030, overseas Vietnamese are expected to participate in promoting and distributing Vietnamese goods across all host countries and territories, forming networks in which they play a central role.
The directive also seeks to increase the share of Vietnamese goods in overseas distribution systems, expand e-commerce, develop enterprise databases linked to digital transformation, and strengthen efforts against counterfeit goods while promoting green standards and product traceability.
Large-scale trade fairs and investment promotion activities involving overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs will be expanded, alongside improved information sharing on market trends, import regulations and trade risks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate implementation, promote economic diplomacy and support the establishment of Vietnamese business associations abroad, as well as logistics and distribution networks.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade will lead trade promotion and business connectivity programmes, support Vietnamese firms in accessing foreign distribution systems and advance the Vietnam Value national brand programme.
The Ministry of Science and Technology will connect overseas Vietnamese with domestic innovation ecosystems, mobilising capital, expertise and technology for research and production. Priority areas include “Make in Vietnam” technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, UAVs and semiconductors, alongside intellectual property protection.
The ministry will also promote international technology cooperation and encourage overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs and youth to participate in innovation and startup initiatives linked to digital transformation.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance will address barriers to overseas investment by Vietnamese enterprises, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will facilitate overseas Vietnamese participation in agricultural production and export supply chains.
The directive is expected to better leverage overseas Vietnamese resources to expand global distribution channels, strengthen exports and enhance the international presence of Vietnamese goods.