The promotional programme "Vietnamese People prioritise Vietnamese Goods", launched last year by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, has offered domestic enterprises a golden opportunity to advertise their trademarks to domestic customers.

The comment was delivered by head of the ministry's Domestic Market Department Truong Quang Hoai Nam yesterday at a conference in Ha Noi to review results of the campaign in the first half of this year.

"Consumers have made active changes in their purchasing habits with the number of people choosing Vietnamese goods increasing because they have made price and quality comparisons between Vietnamese and foreign goods," Nam said.

More than 130 fairs and exhibitions showcasing Viet Nam-made products were organised in 41 cities and provinces nationwide during the first half of the year. The events reported a total sales revenue of VND420 billion (US$22.1 million).

In addition, over 140 campaigns selling Vietnamese products in rural areas were held during the period with the participation of more than 1,600 firms. These events proved the increasing attention domestic firms were paying to the rural market, Nam noted.

"These campaigns have helped producers clarify rural customer demands, cement links among distributors, sellers and their rural customers and raised awareness among rural consumers of the domestic goods currently available on the market," said Vu Thi Kim Hanh from the Business Studies and Assistance Centre.

The rural market, with 70 per cent of the country's population, has a lot potential for Vietnamese businesses but it has not been easy to conquer because consumers have got used to imported goods, including illegally imported and fake ones.

Deputy head of the Domestic Market Department Vo Van Quyen urged the firms to establish a better network to ensure their goods to reach the hands of local consumers.

Source: VNS