Mr. Nguyen The Giang, Vice Chairman of Provincial People's Committee visits a hi-tech farm demonstration in Son Duong district
Digital Farmers Leading the Way
Livestreaming to promote and sell products on social media platforms has become a familiar activity at the booth of Lam Binh Brocade Cooperative in Lam Binh district. Handwoven blankets and scarves by Tay artisans, along with colorful brocade handbags, hats, and souvenirs crafted by the Dao community, are showcased live, allowing viewers to interact, place orders, and receive their purchases swiftly.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Yeu, Director of the Cooperative, told the reporter: “We have 30 members, all women from the commune. Before we adopted digital tools, promotion and sales were quite limited. But since we started using social media and online platforms, things have improved. Customers can now view our designs and shop at any time. Our products are currently being shipped to various provinces and cities nationwide.”
Pear blossom season in this year brought an unprecedented number of visitors to Khau Trang village, Hong Thai commune, Na Hang district. According to village leader, daily footfall reached 600–700 visitors, doubling or even tripling on weekends - a significant increase compared to previous years.
Among the digital pioneers is Ms. Dang Thi Nhung, an ethnic Dao resident of Khau Trang, who has actively promoted local tourism through digital platforms. “In the past, we could only share photos of the pear blossoms online,” she explained. “Now, livestreaming lets us capture and share the beauty and festive atmosphere in real time. It helps people feel connected to the celebration even from afar.”
Opportunities and Challenges
Digital transformation offers a powerful shift in enhancing productivity and reducing manual labor - particularly in rural and agricultural areas, which have traditionally lagged behind in development. However, building smart villages and communes comes with its own set of challenges, such as disparities in technological capacity between regions, underdeveloped IT infrastructure, and a shortage of highly skilled personnel.
Thanks to social media platform, more and more travelers come to enjoy pear flowers in Hong Thai commune
Mr. Nguyen Dai Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, emphasized: “To overcome these challenges, we need the engagement of the entire political system, collaboration from communities and businesses, and a focus on training rural residents in technology skills. At the same time, it's crucial to invest in synchronized information infrastructure and ensure cybersecurity.”
Smart rural development is not only a catalyst for boosting rural economies and improving livelihoods, but also a pathway toward bridging the gap between urban and rural areas. It lays the foundation for a modern, sustainable rural future.
Nguyen Thanh Hieu
