Alibaba Alternatives for Vietnam Sourcing // 12+ Tools To Source Products In Vietnam
Are you looking to source products from Vietnam? Not sure who you can trust? Need a Vietnam Sourcing Company to help you out? Please read our guide to learn how!
As the global market continues to evolve, diversifying sourcing channels has become a strategic imperative for businesses worldwide. For those looking to tap into the rapidly growing and dynamic Vietnamese market, finding alternatives to Alibaba – the Chinese e-commerce giant – is essential. Whether driven by the need for more localized suppliers, specific product categories, or unique market insights, exploring Alibaba alternatives tailored to Vietnam offers a plethora of opportunities for businesses seeking competitive advantages.
In this article, we will explore the best Alibaba alternatives for sourcing products and suppliers in Vietnam. This exploration is particularly crucial for companies aiming to leverage Vietnam's robust manufacturing sector, diverse product range, and burgeoning economy. Each alternative platform provides a unique gateway to Vietnamese suppliers, with varied strengths, from specialized product offerings to more favorable pricing structures, and enhanced supplier engagement models.
We will delve into a variety of platforms that are either based in Vietnam or have a strong network and understanding of the Vietnamese market. These alternatives are not just digital marketplaces; they are vital tools for connecting with a diverse array of suppliers, understanding local business practices, and navigating the logistical and regulatory landscape of Vietnamese trade.
Join us as we uncover these platforms, offering insights into how they can complement or enhance your sourcing strategies in Vietnam. Whether you're a small business looking for niche products or a large enterprise seeking to expand your supply chain in Southeast Asia, this article will guide you through the viable alternatives to Alibaba, opening doors to new business opportunities and collaborations in the dynamic Vietnamese market.
Databases for finding Vietnamese suppliers
While China has Alibaba and several other alternatives to find suppliers, you may be asking how I find suppliers in Vietnam. For starting, you can use Alibaba as they allow you to sort by country -- select Vietnam on the country tab. Beyond Alibaba, a few other websites focus specifically on Vietnam and are an excellent resource for finding Vietnamese suppliers.
Alibaba Vietnam
Even though Alibaba is a Chinese company focusing on China, they still have a very impressive list of Vietnamese suppliers. If you used Alibaba to find suppliers in China, you are already familiar with how to search for suppliers, and if you do not, check out our guide: Alibaba to FBA Guide.
Vietnam Export
Vietnam Export is an excellent modern website that maintains a large database of verified factories in Vietnam. The website is endorsed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam. The website is much better to use than others due to its quality. In addition to the database, they provide industry-specific information and news. The website also promotes agricultural products such as coffee and Lychee, which are often difficult to find.
Vietnam Manufacturers
In 2009, Vietnam Manufacturers started as a trade journal to promote Vietnamese companies and business interests worldwide. They have since expanded and now provide an extensive searchable database, trade show promotions, and industry-specific publications.
VTown.vn
Vtown.vn is owned by Washin Engine Co. and is intended to be a database of Japanese companies manufacturing and business in Vietnam. They maintain an excellent database of Vietnamese-based manufacturers in English and are easy to search for. Since the factories in their database are large and Japanese-managed, you tend to find manufacturers with much higher quality control. I have used this database and found good suppers through them.
VietnamAZ
VietnamAZ is made for American companies looking to buy and do business in Vietnam. They maintain a large database of suppliers.
VietnameseMade.com
VietnameseMade is another database of manufacturers that focuses on the Vietnamese market. It is a B2B trade portal to help connect buyers around the world to sellers in Vietnam.
VCCI News
While the website mainly provides news to exporters in Vietnam, it maintains a directory of businesses in Vietnam. Unfortunately, the directory is a little simple and organized by category, so it's not easy to use.
Global Sources
While the main focus is China, they still have a decent search for Vietnam suppliers. Global sources are one of the three websites (along with Alibaba and 1688) I recommend for every project. Global Sources is a Hong Kong-based company that provides a very well-vetted list of suppliers and puts on several trade shows. Merle A. Hinrichs started Global Sources in 1960, and Global Sources published its first suppliers' databases on CD-Roms. Global Sources also runs a sourcing trade show that runs in the gaps of the Canton Fair.
Global Sources' main draw is that they do a much better job with supplier quality control, and the website is made for English speakers. In addition, the website is clean and is much easier to navigate and use than Alibaba. Global Sources also provides several tools to help you organize quotes.
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. Several of these associations maintain their databases of suppliers. This is not a complete list, as Vietnam has almost 100 different Trade associations. Cosmo maintains an internal database, and if you reach out to us, we can introduce you to one that fits your needs.
Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association
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 Rubber Association
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.
Vietnam Coffee - Cacao Association
VICOFA is a private trade association representing the interests 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.
Vietnam Footwear Leather and Handbag Association
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 Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers ((VASEP) -
Vietnam is the world’s third-largest seafood exporter, producing over $5 Billion in seafood exports yearly. In the seafood industry, VASEP represents hundreds of fisheries, fishers, packaging companies, and much more. They also maintain their supplier database. Unfortunately, Cosmo cannot source seafood, so if you are interested in sourcing seafood from Vietnam, don't hesitate to contact VASEP.
Vietnam Steel Association
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.
Vietnam Electronics industry
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 contact 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, which 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
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.
VIETNAM INTERNATIONAL PREMIUM SOURCING FAIR
PREMIUM is one of the most popular fairs held from May 30 to June 2, 2020, in Ho Chi Minh City. PREMIUM focuses on higher-end goods sold by manufacturers in Vietnam. To be clear, the fair has many items manufactured outside of Vietnam but available for wholesale; nonetheless, it is an excellent 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 maintain an extensive database of potential suppliers.
Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) supplies information to people who wish to find suppliers. Contact a representative, and you can get a list of Vietnamese members who could be potential partners. It’s an excellent resource for finding a list of supplies but not a great way to form long-term relationships.
AmCham Vietnam
The American Chamber of Commerce, abbreviated to AmCham, is so large that it operates two branches: AmCham Hanoi and AmCham Ho Chi Minh City. Both are similar in that they promote American business interests abroad. They maintain an extensive 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 manufacturing in Vietnam from their respective countries. 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 Chamber of Commerce countries 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.
Cosmo Sourcing // Go Straight to the Source!
Please email us at info@cosmosourcing.com
If you want to source from Vietnam, contact the Cosmo Sourcing team; 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, so you can 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.