A growing number of small business owners in Vietnam are building their own websites - referred to as “digital storefronts” - using the national “.biz.vn” domain as a way to reduce reliance on third-party e-commerce platforms and gain more control over branding, sales, and customer interaction.

From tea to taverns: success through digital autonomy

Vu Thi Huong, Director of Huong Tra Clean Tea Cooperative in Thai Nguyen, joined the national program “Online Presence with the .vn Domain” in mid-2023.

Supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology (formerly the Ministry of Information and Communications), she launched a website under the domain huongtratea.biz.vn, with digital tools included.

The impact was immediate: her brand earned greater customer trust with transparent product information and production processes, and she expanded access to international markets without relying on social media platforms. “Digital tools are helping us take Thai Nguyen tea to new heights,” said Huong.

In another success story, Nguyen The Lam, owner of Huynh Duc Pub in Dong Thap, saw an increase in revenue and customer base after setting up huynhducpub.biz.vn. With guidance from VNNIC (Vietnam Internet Network Information Center) and local digital support teams, Lam credits the program for strengthening his brand and accelerating sustainable digital growth.

Free .biz.vn domains attract new businesses

Launched in May 2024, the “Online Presence with the .vn Domain” program offers newly established businesses and sole proprietors one year of free domain registration under biz.vn, along with associated services such as website hosting and email.

According to VNNIC Director Nguyen Hong Thang, the initiative has already added around 100,000 new “.vn” domain names - pushing the national total to over 660,000. Vietnam now ranks second in ASEAN, 10th in Asia-Pacific, and 40th globally in terms of national domain registrations.

A standout model emerged in Dong Thap, where VNNIC, in partnership with local science departments and domain registrars, mobilized youth and community tech teams to go door-to-door assisting small businesses. As a result, over 7,000 “.biz.vn” domains were registered - accounting for 80% of national uptake under the program to date.

As fees and algorithm changes on social media and e-commerce platforms increase, many business owners are opting to build independent online channels. Owning a domain like “.biz.vn” allows businesses to maintain greater control over brand identity, customer data, and long-term growth strategies.

However, digital skills remain a barrier. Many small businesses, especially in remote or rural areas, lack the knowledge to independently manage digital storefronts. To address this, the government is rolling out “Digital Literacy for All,” a grassroots training initiative.

VNNIC aims to ensure every household business, cooperative, and citizen can have their own secure, locally hosted digital identity.

“We hope that after 2025, the program will not only continue but also expand,” said Director Nguyen Hong Thang. “With more support services and broader access, we envision a future where every Vietnamese business and citizen has a safe, trusted website using our national domain. This is essential for building a strong digital nation.”

Van Anh