Authors - Thanh Hien Hoang, Thi Dieu Linh Huynh, Le Hoang Linh Chi Abstract - This study examines whether the institutional digitalization of trade procedures in importing partner countries is associated with Vietnam’s bilateral export performance. While existing studies have widely examined trade facilitation, e-commerce, and general ICT adoption, less attention has been paid to the role of partner-country digital trade readiness in shaping export market access for an export-oriented economy such as Vietnam. Using panel data on Vietnam’s exports to 27 major trading partners over the period 2013–2022, this study applies an extended gravity model incorporating the Paperless Trade Index, the Cross-border Paperless Trade Index, and the aggregate Trade Digitalization Index. The model also controls for importer GDP, Vietnam’s GDP, geographical distance, partner-country innovation capacity, and the COVID-19 period. The random-effects estimates show that paperless trade, cross-border paperless trade, and over-all trade digitalization in importing markets are positively and significantly associated with Vietnam’s export values. The findings also confirm the relevance of conventional gravity variables, with GDP showing positive associations and distance showing a negative association with exports. These results suggest that digital trade readiness in destination markets can function as an external institutional condition supporting export competitiveness. The study contributes to the literature by distinguishing between domestic paperless trade and cross-border paper-less trade in importing markets and by providing Vietnam-specific evidence on the strategic importance of interoperable digital trade procedures.
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