The initiative aims to help local enterprises, cooperatives, and production and business establishments connect with modern retail distribution systems, expand market access, enhance competitiveness, and gradually become part of AEON’s supply chain in Vietnam and across the region.
At the opening ceremony, Ms. Vu Thi Kim Phuong, Deputy Director of the Hai Phong Department of Industry and Trade, emphasized that amid deeper international economic integration and changing consumer demand, the domestic market continues to serve as an important driver of economic growth. Participation in modern retail distribution systems not only helps businesses expand their market reach but also encourages technological innovation, improves product quality, standardizes production processes, strengthens brand development, and enables companies to meet increasingly demanding market standards.
Ms. Phuong noted that Hai Phong is a major economic, industrial, commercial, service, and logistics hub in Vietnam’s Northern Coastal Region. The city enjoys significant advantages in seaport infrastructure, logistics services, and a strong manufacturing base. During the first six months of 2026, Hai Phong’s total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue reached an estimated VND 207.84 trillion, representing a 15.2% increase compared to the same period last year. The domestic market has remained stable, while various trade promotion and supply-demand connection programs have been implemented effectively, creating favorable conditions for businesses to expand their markets.
Hai Phong currently has 647 valid OCOP (One Commune One Product) products, including 10 nationally recognized five-star OCOP products and 172 four-star OCOP products certified by the city, along with thousands of products meeting high domestic and international quality standards. To date, 14 Hai Phong enterprises have successfully supplied products to AEON supermarkets, providing a solid foundation for more local specialty products to enter modern retail channels and eventually international markets.
However, to become suppliers for modern retail systems, businesses must satisfy comprehensive requirements related to product quality, traceability, packaging, labeling, management capability, and the ability to maintain a stable supply. AEON applies even stricter standards, helping participating businesses enhance both product value and brand reputation.
According to the Department of Industry and Trade, the program was designed to enable Hai Phong businesses to engage directly with AEON’s procurement system, gain a clear understanding of supplier selection criteria, receive guidance on overcoming common challenges, and learn from local companies that have already become AEON suppliers.
During the program, representatives from AEON Vietnam introduced the company’s supplier development program, explained its quality standards and supplier selection process, and discussed the common obstacles businesses face when entering modern retail distribution systems, together with available support measures.
Representatives from several Hai Phong enterprises that are already supplying products to AEON also shared their practical experiences and successful cooperation models, providing valuable insights and development guidance for participating businesses.
The Hai Phong Department of Industry and Trade highly appreciated AEON Vietnam’s cooperation and expressed its hope that AEON would continue supporting local enterprises by providing consultation, product improvement guidance, and management capacity building, enabling them to participate more deeply in AEON’s supply chain. The Department also called on AEON to maintain the effective operation of AEON Mall Hai Phong Le Chan, accelerate the opening of AEON Mall Hai Duong by the end of 2026, and work with the Department to establish a roadmap for products from the 35 participating enterprises to be introduced into AEON’s distribution network during the 2026–2027 period.
The Department reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its role as a bridge between local businesses and modern retail distribution systems by promoting trade promotion activities, strengthening supply-demand connections, supporting digital transformation, developing e-commerce, building brands, and promoting local products. These efforts are expected to bring more high-quality Hai Phong products into AEON stores and other major retail chains both domestically and internationally, thereby expanding market opportunities, increasing added value, and enhancing the competitiveness of local businesses.