Dien Bien women expand agricultural sales through digital platforms

In recent years, alongside the digital transformation of agriculture, women in Dien Bien have steadily changed the way they produce, market, and sell agricultural products. Instead of relying primarily on traditional sales channels, many members of Dien Bien Women's Union have boldly embraced digital platforms, expanded their markets, and increased the value of local products.

According to the Dien Bien Women's Union, supporting women’s economic development remains a key priority at all levels of the organization through a wide range of practical activities. In addition to facilitating access to capital, technical knowledge, and livelihood models, the union has accompanied members in their digital transformation journey, helping local products reach broader markets.

During the first six months of 2026, the Dien Bien Women's Union worked with more than 100 women, helping them become more familiar with online storefronts, livestream sales, and e-commerce platforms using smartphones.

Participants received training on product photography, content creation, product promotion, order management, and customer service in the digital environment. After attending digital transformation training courses organized by the Women's Union at various levels, many members began using social media to promote their products.

Previously, most agricultural products were sold to traders or at local markets, making sales heavily dependent on seasonal demand. Today, posting photos and introducing products on Facebook, Zalo, and other e-commerce platforms enables many households to reach customers across provinces and cities nationwide.

For many women in mountainous areas, these were an entirely new skill set. However, through training sessions and hands-on guidance, many members have gained confidence in using technology and gradually transformed their business mindset. Products such as rice, honey, vegetables, and traditional processed foods are no longer sold only within their communes or districts but now have opportunities to reach consumers throughout the country.

Many members have gradually changed their business approaches, shifting toward using social media as a “virtual storefront” to connect with customers.

Bui Thi Luu, a women's union member in Pom Lot commune, said, “Previously, my family mainly sold honey to acquaintances or retail customers at our shop, so sales were unstable. Since learning how to promote products on social media, I have regularly posted updates and videos about our production process and have received orders online. More customers know about our products, and sales have become much easier.”

Alongside digital transformation, women in Dien Bien have also actively participated in developing the province’s key agricultural crops. Responding to plans to expand coffee and macadamia cultivation, women's unions at all levels have mobilized members to help dig planting holes, plant seedlings, care for young trees, and protect plantations.

In many localities, women not only contribute labor but also directly participate in economic models linked to coffee and macadamia production. The expansion of these high-value crops is expected to create more jobs and raise incomes, particularly for women in rural and mountainous communities.

“Thanks to technical guidance on cultivation and grafting, my coffee plantation has achieved a high survival rate and improved productivity. Based on these initial results, my family is continuing to rejuvenate aging coffee areas to enhance product quality,” said Tong Thi Hoai, a coffee grower and women's union member in Muong Ang commune.

Empowering the collection of efforts, women's unions continue to effectively manage policy-based credit programs through savings-and-loan groups. These preferential loans have enabled many members to invest in production, livestock farming, household business expansion, and participation in local agricultural value chains.

Dien Bien Women's Union considers digital transformation and agricultural production development as the two important pathways for enhancing women’s economic empowerment and social standing.

When equipped with knowledge, skills, and access to resources, women not only contribute to household economic development but also become active participants in restructuring the local agricultural sector.

From coffee fields on hillside slopes to online stores accessed through smartphones, women in Dien Bien are steadily asserting their role in rural economic development. Digital transformation is not only expanding markets for agricultural products but also creating sustainable livelihoods for women in mountainous areas.