Scientific Conference on “Bridging the Digital Divide: Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable E-commerce Development”

On the morning of September 12, 2026, the Scientific Conference on “Bridging the Digital Divide: Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable E-commerce Development” took place at the University of Information and Communication Technology, Thai Nguyen University (ICTU). Jointly organized by ICTU and the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM), the conference welcomed Dr. Lê Hoàng Oanh, Director General of the Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade; VECOM leaders; university leaders; representatives of relevant government agencies, departments, and organizations; as well as experts, scientists, researchers, lecturers, students, contributing authors, and business representatives.

Photo: The conference organizing committee poses for a commemorative photograph.

The conference examined challenges in the development of e-commerce and the digital economy, with a particular focus on disparities in digital infrastructure, human resources, technological capabilities, and the adoption of emerging technologies across localities, businesses, and stakeholder groups. Through presentations and thematic sessions, the conference sought to identify barriers, share practical experience, and propose solutions to bridge the digital divide, promote sustainable and inclusive e-commerce development, and advance digital transformation in the next phase.

Remarks at the Conference

According to Associate Professor Dr. Phùng Trung Nghĩa, Secretary of the Party Committee and Rector of ICTU, as artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms e-commerce, the digital divide is shifting from disparities in access to technology to differences in the ability to apply and master AI. For small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, the challenge is no longer simply whether they can participate in the digital environment, but whether they have the capabilities to use AI to compete effectively within it.

He also highlighted ICTU’s commitment to linking education with practical needs, building an ecosystem that connects the university, students, technology platforms, and businesses, and expanding programs that strengthen AI adoption capabilities within the business community.

Photo: Associate Professor Dr. Phùng Trung Nghĩa, Secretary of the Party Committee and Rector of ICTU, delivers welcoming remarks.

Handover of the Conference Flag to the Host of the 2027 Scientific Conference

During the conference, Dr. Bùi Trung Kiên, Vice President of VECOM, and Associate Professor Dr. Phùng Trung Nghĩa, Secretary of the Party Committee and Rector of ICTU, represented the two organizing institutions in a ceremonial handover of the conference flag to Quy Nhon University, which will host the VECOM Scientific Conference in 2027.

Photo: Representatives of the conference organizing committee hand over the conference flag to the host institution for the 2027 Scientific Conference.

Plenary Session: Strengthening the Legal Framework and Setting Directions for Sustainable E-commerce Development

At the plenary session, Dr. Lê Hoàng Oanh, Director General of the Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, delivered a presentation entitled “The E-commerce Law and Sustainable E-commerce Development,” highlighting new directions and requirements for strengthening the legal framework governing e-commerce.

Photo: Dr. Lê Hoàng Oanh, Director General of the Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, delivers her presentation.

The presentation emphasized the role of the legal framework, state management, and the responsibilities of stakeholders across the e-commerce ecosystem in laying the foundations for a transparent, sustainable, and inclusive market in the next phase of development.

Thematic Sessions: Diverse Perspectives and Practical Insights

This year’s conference featured seven thematic sessions addressing key topics, including sustainable e-commerce, the digital divide, and approaches to bridging it. The sessions also explored in-depth research on digital infrastructure, human resources, AI applications, green logistics, agricultural e-commerce, and businesses’ digital transformation capabilities.

Photo: Thematic sessions at the conference.

The thematic sessions offered diverse, practice-based perspectives, examining the current situation, underlying causes, and barriers to bridging the digital divide. They also proposed solutions and policy implications to foster more sustainable, inclusive, and geographically balanced e-commerce development.