QR codes fail to meet expectations

Since early 2018, Hanoi’s consumers have been able to scan quick response (QR) codes to trace the origins of agricultural products sold at supermarkets and convenience store, however, the impact of this change has been limited because producers find the system difficult to apply and consumers do not fully trust the codes' authenticity.
QR codes fail to meet expectations
QR codes fail to meet expectations ảnh 1A customer scans a QR code to learn about the origins of tomatoes in a store (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Sinceearly 2018, Hanoi’s consumers have been able to scan quick response (QR)codes to trace the origins of agricultural products sold at supermarkets andconvenience store, however, the impact of this change has been limited becauseproducers find the system difficult to apply and consumers do not fully trustthe codes' authenticity.

By scanning the codes onproducts' packaging, customers can learn where the fruits and vegetables aregrown, who owns the farm and the names of the producers and distributors.

Hoa Binh Cooperative in Ha Dong districtwas one of the first cooperatives to use QR codes to identify their fruits andvegetables. But after just three months, the group stopped using thetechnology.

Trinh Van Vinh, thecooperative's director, told Kinh Te& Do Thi (Economic and Urban Affairs) newspaper that thetechnology requires farmers to keep track of information about their cropsand cultivation and then enter it into the software system. Maintainingaccurate information with the QR codes takes three to four times the usualefforts than just putting a normal stamp on the packaging to indicate aproduct's origins.

“After a short trial time, werealised that customers do not really care much about the technology," hesaid. "Only one to two out of 10 customers scan the codes so wedecided to stop applying it."

Nguyen Tu Linh, a customer of PTMart in the city's Ha Dong district, told the newspaper that it takes time toget out her smartphone and scan the codes.

“Each product has many differentstamps and codes with various shapes and sizes," she said. "I can’tdistinguish which one is the most accurate."

Tran Thu Hong, a customer inLong Bien district, expressed doubts over the authenticity of the informationdisplayed after scanning the codes. She said the information comes onlyfrom producers without the verification or supervision of any agency, soit could be one-sided.

Nearly two years afterintroducing the codes, 81 percent of the city's fruit stores use QRcode. The city’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued QRcodes for 236 enterprises and more than 4,000 products.

According to the city’splan, the application of QR codes will be expanded by the end of thisyear to trace the origins of other agricultural products, productionfacilities, farms, slaughterhouses, large-scale processing establishments,supermarkets, wholesale markets and market management boards.

In 2020, all productionchains in the city will use the codes to trace product origins andprovide transparency for consumers. 

Under the plan, the rate ofproducts with traceable origins through the codes from small-scale productionand businesses will increase by 30-50 percent.

To reach these targets,however, there are tonnes of work ahead for Hanoi City.

Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, deputy headof city’s Agricultural-forestry-fishery Product Management Division, said theadoption of the technology remained slow and instructions on how to begin usingthe codes lacked details.

Most traceability efforts areconducted manually, requiring a lot of workers and raising doubt over theauthenticity of the data, according to the official.

Farmers are not used to keepingorigin records for produce, making it difficult to manage and supervise foodquality.

Ta Van Tuong, deputy director ofthe city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, proposed theagriculture ministry and Ministry of Science and Technology issue a full set ofnational standards on origin traceability for food.

In the future, QR codes will bemandatory for domestically produced goods.-VNS/VNA
VNA

See more

Ca Mau province Deputy Secretary Nguyen Ho Hai receives a gift from the Singaporean ambassador Jaya Ratnam at a meeting held on February 17 to enhance exports and cooperation. (Photo: tuoitre.vn)

Ca Mau wants more exports to, cooperation with Singapore

The southernmost province of Ca Mau wants to increase agricultural and fishery exports to Singapore and strengthen cooperation in several sectors, Deputy Secretary of its Party Committee, Nguyen Ho Hai has told Singaporean embassy officials.

Permanent Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thanh Nghi hosts a reception for Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki on February 17. (Photo: www.sggp.org.vn)

HCM City looks to deepen ties with Japan

The city aims to deepen cooperation with Japan in key areas such as sustainable urban development, emissions reduction, climate change adaptation, innovation, digital transformation, supply chain resilience, supporting industries, healthcare, tourism, culture, workforce development, and people-to-people exchanges.

Workers process shrimp for export. (Photo: VNA)

Shrimp exports grow in the first month of 2025

Shrimp products recorded a strong 13%increase in export value in January 2025, reaching a total of 273.3 million USD. This growth accounted for 35.3% of Vietnam's total seafood export turnover, contributing significantly to the country's overall seafood export performance.

Vietnam imposes VAT on low-value imported goods

Vietnam imposes VAT on low-value imported goods

It is estimated that if low-value goods worth less than 1 million VND are subject to a 10% VAT rate, State budget revenue could increase by around 2.7 trillion VND (105.6 million USD).

Can Gio International Transit Port blueprint. (Photo: sggp.org.vn)

Can Gio port added to national seaport development plan

The Ministry of Transport has approved adjustments to policies, solutions, and resource allocations for the implementation of the national seaport system master plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. The Can Gio port is now part of the implementation roadmap.

Rice packaging at the factory of Loc Troi Group in An Giang province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam expected to export over 7.5 million tonnes of rice in 2025

MARD’s supply and demand report sent to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) projects the Mekong Delta will cultivate 3.78 million hectares of rice, yielding more than 23.96 million tonnes. Of this, 15.08 million tonnes of commercial rice, equivalent to 7.54 million tonnes of husked rice, will be available for export.

Representatives from EzyRemit Worldwide and Sacombank-SBR at the meeting on February 17 in Sydney. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Australian firms promote comprehensive strategic cooperation

EzyRemit Worldwide, one of the leading fintech companies in Australia, and Sacombank-SBR of Vietnam discussed expanding cooperation and enhancing international money transfer and payment services between Vietnam and Australia, thereby providing more values for customers in both countries.