Vietnam's Online Retail Sector Faces Operational Risks and Challenges

In Ho Chi Minh City, many diamond retailers that have temporarily closed their physical stores continue to sell through Facebook fan pages and messaging apps. Customers can browse product images, receive verification videos of diamond markings, and have items delivered nationwide, with payment made by bank transfer. Experts warn that such online transactions carry a high risk of fraud, as buyers cannot inspect the stones in person.

At the same time, owners of shops on major e‑commerce platforms across Vietnam report a range of operational difficulties. Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, director of the Retail Solutions Business Center at MISA, cites fragmented order management, unsynchronized inventory between platforms and warehouses, and slow processing during large sales events as key pain points. Additional challenges include disconnected software systems, complex cash‑on‑delivery reconciliation, and increasing legal pressure to issue electronic invoices on time. She stresses that digital transformation and integrated technology are essential for improving efficiency, compliance, and competitiveness in the fast‑growing e‑commerce market.