Under a plan issued on November 2, the city will test a shared digital system covering selected livestock and poultry meat supply chains, with pork as the main focus.
The system will help authorities identify food safety risks, trace products to their sources and isolate or recall affected batches. Consumers will also be able to check food origins more easily.
The pilot will involve at least two complete supply chains, including two livestock farms, two centralised slaughterhouses, two distribution or processing facilities, transport operators, 20 retail outlets and five communal kitchens.
At least 10 retail outlets will be small vendors in traditional markets. The programme will cover three to five selected communes and wards.
Participating businesses must meet legal requirements, maintain regular supply operations and provide accurate records for inspections.
The system will be accessible through mobile devices and web browsers, allowing businesses to record deliveries, divide batches and track shipments.
Hanoi plans to integrate public searches into its iHanoi digital citizen application and official online portal, avoiding the need for residents to install a separate app.
During the pilot, farms will only need to provide identification details and outgoing batch codes, rather than detailed daily livestock records.
The system will also connect with existing food traceability platforms, including HanoiCheck and the city's agricultural, forestry and fisheries food tracking database.
The municipal Department of Science and Technology will lead implementation in coordination with relevant departments and local authorities.
Participating supply chains must be selected within seven working days of the plan's issuance, while system development and integration must be completed within 15 working days.
Businesses will receive on-site training, including during night and early-morning shifts, to ensure accurate recording of deliveries and transactions.
A key feature will be an emergency response mechanism enabling authorities to suspend the circulation of potentially unsafe batches and temporarily deactivate their QR codes.
The pilot will operate for at least 15 days, with an assessment scheduled for completion in November 2026.
Authorities will evaluate data accuracy, response times, traceability, recall effectiveness and operating costs before considering expansion to other food categories.
