Industry Specific Associations and Databases in Vietnam

Vietnam has a vast and diversified economy that spans many different industries. As these industries grow, many have created trade associations to promote specific industries’ interests in Vietnam and globally actively. Several of these associations maintain their databases of suppliers. This is not a complete list, as there are almost 100 different Trade associations in Vietnam, Cosmo maintains an internal database, and if you reach out to us, we can introduce you to one to fit your needs.

The Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association represents hundreds of manufacturers, suppliers, and other companies associated with Vietnam’s clothing industry. The Association seeks to promote Vietnamese apparel, garment, and textile manufacturers worldwide, host regular events and trade shows, and maintain a directory of manufacturers. Unfortunately, the directory is limited only to those manufacturers that pay the membership fee, so it isn’t as complete as it should be.

Vietnam is one of the only countries with a fully vertical supply chain for rubber goods. In addition, Vietnam has a significant agricultural base to supply raw rubber and latex to factories that can make finished products.

VICOFA Is a private trade association representing the interest of the Coffee and Cacao industry. They represent over 100 members ranging from Producers, farmers, and processors to warehousing and logistics companies that work with the coffee industry. 

This Association focuses more on the leather and handbag aspect than on shoes, but they do a great job connecting potential buyers in the leather goods industry. They have over 200 members who are predominantly in handmade leather goods.

Vietnam is the world’s third-largest seafood exporter, producing over $5 Billion in seafood exports yearly. VASEP represents hundreds of fisheries, fishers, packaging companies, and much more in the seafood industry. They also maintain their supplier database. Unfortunately, Cosmo does not have the capability to source seafood, so if you are interested in sourcing seafood from Vietnam, please reach out to VASEP.

One of the leading products Cosmo sources for clients in Vietnam is steel goods. Vietnam is a great place to get a wide range of steel products, ranging from wire, nails, and rods to heavy steel beams.

VEI’s website is a disappointingly low-tech and outdated site for what is Vietnam’s most promising and forward-thinking industry. The Vietnam Electronics industry represents many electronics manufacturers in Vietnam, and you can reach out to them to find a suitable partner.

Vietnam Sourcing Fairs and Trade Shows

Like the rest of the world, Vietnam has several trade shows. Most of the trade shows in Vietnam are focused on specific industries. Trade shows are concentrated in just two cities, like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City host over 90% of its trade shows. For a complete list of trade shows in Vietnam, check out: https://10times.com/vietnam/tradeshows. 

VIETNAM EXPO 2023 – http://vietnamexpo.com.vn/en 

Vietnam Expo is Vietnam’s largest trade show and is one of the only ones not focused on any particular industry. Instead, Vietnam Expo focuses on promoting trade and industry in Vietnam and connecting international buyers to Vietnamese suppliers. Vietnam Expo aims to be for Vietnam what the Canton Fair is for China. The fair is held in Hanoi, and the next one will occur on April 8-14, 2023.

PREMIUM is one of the most popular fairs held on May 30 – June 2, 2020, in Ho Chi Minh City. PREMIUM focuses on higher-end goods sold and manufacturers in Vietnam. To be clear, the fair has many items manufactured outside of Vietnam but available for wholesale; nonetheless, it is a good place to find higher-end goods in Vietnam.

Chambers of Commerce

Chambers of Commerce can often be a great start to finding suppliers, as almost all of them maintain a large database of potential suppliers.

Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) supplies information to people who wish to find suppliers. Get in touch with a representative, and you can get a list of Vietnamese members who could be potential partners. It’s a good resource to find a list of supplies but not a great way to form long-term relationships.

The American Chamber of Commerce, abbreviated to AmCham, is so large that they operate 2 of them, AmCham Hanoi and AmCham Ho Chi Minh City. Both are similar in that they promote American business interests abroad. They maintain a large database of American manufacturers and businesses in Vietnam. If you are an American or represent an American Company, you can connect yourself to Vietnamese suppliers in their database.

South Korea & Japan Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam

I don’t want to go overboard with commerce’s listing chamber, but I’m linking Japan and South Korea simply because both countries have a significant manufacturing presence in Vietnam. Both chambers of commerce maintain a list of their companies from their respective countries manufacturing in Vietnam. However, while Vietnam’s manufacturing has taken off, its management, in many ways, still feels a little old-fashioned. Many prefer working with a foreign-managed company with a more western business style.

There are over 120 countries Chamber of Commerce operating in Vietnam, and you should be able to find them by putting in “[Country name] Chamber of Commerce Vietnam” and getting the results you are looking for.

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If you are interested in sourcing from Vietnam, feel free to reach out to the team at Cosmo Sourcing; we have been helping clients source from Vietnam since 2014. Cosmo Sourcing has the skills and the team to find you the best supplier possible. We are also established in China and are among the only companies that can find suppliers in China and Vietnam and pick the one you think is best.

Our Vietnam Sourcing services allow you to access new manufacturers that you would not be able to in China and avoid Tariffs. Our services are designed to do everything to take your idea, turn it into a product, and ship it to the final destination. Cosmo can do everything from creating a product spec sheet, validation, sourcing, ordering and evaluating samples, arranging inspections, finding freight forwarders, quality assurance, negotiations, and shipping. We aim to handle every single step of your business in Vietnam for you. 

If you start a new business, finding products and suppliers for your products is one of many things, you need to handle. Our services are designed to handle every part of your business in China and Vietnam, so you can focus on the rest of growing your own business.

We have helped clients from Fortune 500 companies, brick-and-mortar stores, FBA sellers, and brand-new businesses. So don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help you.