Straight answers.

Because for the right products, Vietnam makes a lot of sense.

A lot of buyers ask us whether Vietnam is replacing China. In reality, that's usually the wrong way to look at it. Most of our customers use Vietnam as part of a wider sourcing strategy rather than an either/or decision. Think of it as China + 1.

Vietnam is particularly strong in furniture, home décor, textiles, natural materials, industrial products, metal fabrication, plastics and OEM manufacturing. It also benefits from a growing manufacturing base and strong export experience.

That doesn't mean every product belongs here. Some products are still a better fit elsewhere. The important question isn't 'Is Vietnam better?' It's 'Is Vietnam right for my product?'

That's exactly where we start every project.

There isn't a standard MOQ in Vietnam.

It depends on your product, the manufacturing process, the materials and sometimes the factory itself. Two factories making almost identical products can quote completely different MOQs.

One thing catches a lot of buyers out. The factory's MOQ is often driven by its own suppliers. If a plastic supplier has a minimum resin order or a fabric mill requires a large run, those costs eventually work their way back to you.

Can you order smaller quantities? Often yes. Just don't expect the same unit price as someone ordering a full container.

Finding manufacturers is easy. Finding the right manufacturer is the hard part.

A nice website, a fast reply and a low quotation don't tell you very much. What matters is whether the factory has actually made similar products before, has the right machinery, understands your quality expectations and communicates well.

We've seen factories confidently quote products they've never produced. Some work out. Others become expensive lessons.

Choosing the right factory is usually far more important than negotiating another few percent off the price.

Yes, but they need something clear to work from.

Vietnamese manufacturers are generally very good at OEM manufacturing, private label production and customising existing products. They are usually less suited to taking a rough sketch and turning it into a finished commercial product.

The clearer your drawings, specifications, dimensions and reference samples, the smoother the project will run.

Good product development is a partnership, not a guessing game.

There isn't a price list for manufacturing in Vietnam.

The biggest cost is often materials rather than labour. Then you've got tooling, packaging, production volume, testing, quality control and shipping.

If somebody gives you an accurate manufacturing price without understanding your product properly, they're probably guessing.

That's why we always assess whether a product is suitable for Vietnam before comparing factory prices.

It depends on the product, but from initial enquiry to goods ready for shipment, most projects take between 3 and 9 months.

The biggest factors are product complexity, the number of components (BOM), material availability, tooling requirements, sampling and how many development rounds are needed before production can begin.

As a rough guide:

• Factory search & quotations: 2–3 weeks
• Product development & sampling: 2–8 weeks (sometimes longer for complex products)
• Production: typically 30–60 days
• Shipping: depends on destination and shipping method

One mistake we see quite often is buyers only looking at the production lead time. In reality, sourcing the right factory, developing samples and approving the final product usually takes longer than the production itself.

One bit of advice: don't build your launch around the earliest possible delivery date. Leave yourself some breathing room, especially around Tet (Lunar New Year) or when imported materials are involved.

Quality doesn't start with an inspection. It starts with choosing the right factory.

Most quality problems come down to 4 things: choosing the wrong manufacturer, unclear specifications, poor communication, or not checking production until it's finished.

A good manufacturer should already have its own quality assurance (QA) processes in place, but that doesn't mean you should simply leave everything to chance. Quality should be checked throughout the project, not just before shipment.

Depending on the product, that could include approving physical samples, carrying out inline inspections during production and conducting a final pre-shipment inspection before the goods leave the factory. Catching problems early is always easier and cheaper than trying to fix them at the end.

One final inspection won't fix a factory that's been making the wrong product for the last six weeks. Good quality comes from using the right manufacturer, setting clear expectations and checking production before small problems become expensive ones.

If you're not checking, you're guessing.

Yes, but they aren't the whole story.

Depending on the industry, you may come across certifications such as ISO, BSCI, FSC, Sedex/SMETA, OEKO-TEX and others. They can be important, particularly if your customers or retailers require them.

That said, a certificate doesn't automatically mean a factory is well managed or capable of producing your product consistently. We've seen excellent manufacturers with few certifications, and certified factories that still had quality or communication issues.

If a factory provides certificates, don't just file them away. Check they're still valid, issued to the correct company and manufacturing address, and that they cover the products or processes relevant to your project. An expired certificate or one issued to a different company isn't much use.

At the end of the day, certifications are just one part of the picture. Production capability, quality systems, communication and a proven track record are what really matter.

Capability always comes first.

Absolutely. It's one of Vietnam's biggest strengths.

For centuries, Vietnamese artisans have been working with natural materials such as bamboo, rattan, seagrass, water hyacinth, wood, ceramics and lacquerware. What started as traditional craftsmanship has grown into a world-class export industry, with many manufacturers now supplying leading retailers and brands across Europe, North America and Australia.

Alongside these traditional materials, many manufacturers now also work with FSC-certified timber, recycled plastics, recycled metals and other more sustainable alternatives to meet changing customer demand.

Just because a product is described as "eco-friendly" or "sustainable" doesn't automatically make it so. Always check where the materials come from, what certifications support the claims, and whether they're relevant to your product.

Vietnam's biggest advantage isn't just the materials themselves, it's the generations of experience behind them.

Not necessarily.

If you already have people on the ground, know the manufacturing process and can manage suppliers yourself, you may not need one.

If you're new to manufacturing in Vietnam, having someone local can save a huge amount of time, prevent expensive mistakes and make communication much easier.

A good sourcing agent doesn't just introduce factories. They help you decide which factories to avoid.

Vietnam has developed into a diverse manufacturing hub, but it's stronger in some industries than others.

It's particularly competitive for furniture, home décor, textiles, bags, ceramics, natural materials, plastic products, metal fabrication, aluminium products and many industrial components. These industries benefit from an experienced workforce, established supply chains and manufacturers that have been exporting for years.

Where Vietnam can be less competitive is highly automated, high-volume production or products that rely on complex supply chains and specialist materials. In those cases, imported materials, longer lead times or higher costs can reduce the advantages of manufacturing here.

That's why we don't believe in saying every product should be made in Vietnam. The first step is understanding your product, its bill of materials (BOM), production process and volumes, then deciding whether Vietnam is genuinely the right fit.

Yes, but it depends on the product.

Handmade products and some furniture manufacturers are often more flexible than factories producing plastic, metal or textile products at scale. Lower quantities are usually possible, but expect a higher unit price because setup costs and raw material MOQs are spread across fewer pieces.

It's usually better to discuss your target quantity early so the factory can recommend the most practical approach.

If you're sourcing online, it's a fair question.

A good website doesn't prove much. Some companies own factories, some are trading companies, and some outsource production. None of those are necessarily a problem, as long as you know who you're dealing with.

Check the business licence, confirm the factory address, ask to see the production line, and don't be afraid to request a live video call. If they're reluctant to show you where your product will actually be made, ask yourself why.

Nothing beats visiting the factory in person. If that's not possible, an independent factory audit is the next best thing.

Definitely, and we'd recommend it whenever practical.

Visiting a factory gives you a much better understanding of its capabilities, production standards and how it operates day to day. Just as importantly, it gives you the chance to meet the people behind the business.

In Vietnam especially, relationships come first. Meeting face to face helps build trust, improves communication and often leads to a smoother working relationship throughout the project.

Even if you can't visit at the start of your project, it's worth making the time eventually. Building relationships in person is an important part of doing business in Vietnam, and it's a great opportunity to experience the country at the same time.

Most manufacturers ask for a deposit before production starts, with the balance paid before shipment. Standard payment terms are typically 30% deposit / 70% before shipment or 50% deposit / 50% before shipment, although this varies depending on the factory, product and order value.

As trust builds and order volumes increase, some manufacturers become more flexible. Rather than focusing only on payment terms, it's often better to build a long-term relationship with the right supplier.

Many can, but don't assume every factory will sign whatever document you send.

Some manufacturers are happy to sign confidentiality agreements straight away. Others prefer to understand the project first or ask for a simpler agreement that's suitable for Vietnam.

In reality, most Vietnamese factories don't have their own sales channels or consumer brands. They manufacture for other companies (OEM), so even if they liked your product, they wouldn't necessarily know how to sell it. They're generally focused on building long-term customer relationships, not competing with them.

Protecting your ideas is still important, but choosing a trustworthy manufacturer is usually your best form of protection.

That depends on the product and manufacturer.

Unlike some manufacturing countries, most Vietnamese factories expect you to provide production-ready drawings, tech packs or specifications. Some manufacturers do offer in-house design or engineering support, but it tends to be the exception rather than the rule.

We don't have our own product design team, but we do have contacts across a range of industries and may be able to introduce you to an experienced product designer or engineer if your chosen manufacturer doesn't offer this support.

Once the product is ready for manufacture, we can help manage sourcing, quotations, sampling, factory communication, quality control and production through to shipment.

Often, yes, but it depends on the product and manufacturer.

Some buyers supply their own fabrics, components, packaging or other materials, particularly where consistency or branding is important. Others prefer the factory to source everything locally.

Using your own materials can work well, but it's important to consider shipping costs, import procedures, lead times and whether the manufacturer is happy to work with customer-supplied materials. It's usually something that should be discussed early in the project.

The more information you can provide, the more accurate the quotation will be.

Ideally, this includes drawings or tech packs, dimensions, materials, quantities, packaging requirements, target market and any reference photos or samples. If you already have a target price, it's worth sharing that too.

Clear information helps manufacturers cost the product properly and assess whether they're the right fit. It also shows you've done your homework and are serious about the project, making it more likely they'll invest time in preparing a detailed quotation.

If you're not sure if you have enough information, we're always happy to have a chat and advise whether your brief is ready to send to manufacturers or if a little more detail would help.