Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Huong’s family in Duong Hoa commune has been growing tea for more than 30 years. For decades, tender tea leaves harvested from Quang Ninh’s largest tea-growing area were sold as raw materials, with little opportunity to build a brand.
In 2021, Ms Huong’s family opened Viet Tu Construction Investment and Trading Company, shifting from supplying raw materials to in-house processing and brand development. The company adopted advanced processing technologies and Japanese-standard organic farming practices and invested heavily in digitalization, e-commerce, and customer data management.
Four years later, Viet Tu company has 6 nationally recognized products with 5-star OCOP ratings. Last September, the company was officially recognized as a science and technology enterprise.
Ms Huong recalled, "To bring farmers back to tea cultivation, the key is to ensure that tea production generates higher economic returns and improves local livelihoods. We have leveraged science and technology to improve product quality and used digital transformation to expand our market reach. This has driven growth, allowing us to reinvest in raw material areas and create better opportunities for local farmers."
In Quang Ninh, businesses are linking digital transformation to their operation and commercial needs. With more than 14,000 active enterprises, 98% of them small or medium-sized enterprises, the local business community varies widely in size and technological readiness.
Khuc Dinh Phuong, Chairman of the Quang Ninh Young Entrepreneurs Association, said, "We’re launching a Digital Portal project to digitize the profiles of 300 member businesses and strengthen internal networking. We also aim to connect with the nationwide network of 21,000 businesses to promote digital transformation and green transition."
As businesses go digital, a strong support ecosystem is vital to help SMEs access technologies suited to their needs. Since 2015, Quang Ninh has maintained its "Business Coffee" model as an open channel connecting businesses with local authorities. More recently, CEO mentorship programs have been introduced alongside efforts to revamp the Center for Applied Science and Innovation.
Vu Thi Kim Chi, Deputy Director of the Quang Ninh Department of Science and Technology, said, "This year, we’re restructuring the Center for Applied Science and Innovation as a 'technology marketplace', bridging supply and demand and efficiently connecting experts with businesses. We’ll roll out engagement platforms like Tech Cafe and Tech Connect, followed next year by Fast-Track Connect."
Changes in technology and production methods are opening greener, more sustainable pathways for Quang Ninh businesses. By improving raw material areas, upgrading equipment, and using resources more efficiently, companies are integrating green practices into their innovation strategies.
Driven by private-sector initiative and supported by local authorities in technology and innovation, Quang Ninh is building a foundation for sustainable growth. The dual digital and green transition is emerging as a key driver of the city’s next phase of economic development.
