HANOI: Growing demand for transparency and higher product quality is reshaping the domestic market, making product traceability a fundamental safeguard for consumer rights.
Government representatives said that this shift aligns with the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW on accelerating scientific and technological breakthroughs, innovation and digital transformation.
According to Nguyen Duc Le of the Domestic Market Management and Development Agency, effective consumer protection begins with verifying the true origin of goods and determining whether products are counterfeit or infringe intellectual property rights.
He noted that new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data and Internet of Things (IoT), now allow authorities to detect violations at a much earlier stage, even at the point where businesses register or begin production.
This proactive model reduces dependence on consumer complaints once products are already circulating and supports the transition from pre-market inspections to post-market supervision, a shift that grants businesses greater autonomy while decreasing potential risks for buyers.
Associate Professor Dr Chu Hoang Ha of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology highlighted that strategic technologies – including semiconductor chips, IoT, blockchain, big data and AI – can form the backbone of a modern, secure and interconnected national traceability ecosystem.
However, he emphasised that technological capacity alone is insufficient.
A legal framework, strong coordination between ministries and local governments and clear compatibility standards are essential for an effective system.
From the perspective of industry implementation, chairman of the Vietnam Blockchain and Digital Assets Association Phan Duc Trung underscored the importance of developing a trusted national infrastructure, citing the Electronic Authentication Stamp Database and Vietnam’s Multi-Chain Blockchain Service Network.
Additionally, he said that these platforms will support authentication, standardisation and pilot applications that move the country toward a unified traceability model.
Checkee Technology chief executive Pham Van Quan agreed, arguing that genuine traceability goes far beyond the simple use of QR codes or chips.
A credible system requires standardised data and product identifiers, transparent databases linked to IoT devices, robust verification mechanisms and full adherence to legal and technical standards.
Both regulators and consumers must be able to access and independently verify all relevant product information, he said.
The Agriculture and Environment Ministry plans to prioritise the development of technical regulations and sector-specific databases, which will be linked with the National Barcode Centre.
Additionally, technology firms will provide digital platforms and tools, while producers and farmers will take responsibility for regularly updating product data.
Nguyen Bao Trung from the Agriculture and Environment Ministry added that traceability is essential not only for export goods, but also for domestic consumption and for protecting legitimate producers from counterfeit products.
Technologies like AI and blockchain offer significant advantages in transparency and data integrity. — Viet Nam News/ANN
