Asean markets are ‘gold mines’ for cross-border sellers, but challenges abound

[HO CHI MINH CITY] Overseas orders make up 80 per cent of Poong Craft’s monthly revenues, essentially enabling Tran Thi Tuyet Hoa to make ends meet in Vietnam via her online store on Shopee. 

Over the past year, the platform has made Hoa’s hand-crocheted flowers available in places that she has never been to, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Thanks to e-commerce giants such as Shopee and Lazada, which have lowered entry barriers for South-east Asian sellers, small businesses in the region have been able to internationalise closer to home.