Alibaba Alternatives for Vietnam Sourcing // 12+ Sourcing Websites To Find Manufacturers In Vietnam
Are you looking to source products from Vietnam? Not sure who you can trust? Do you 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 many opportunities for businesses seeking competitive advantages.
This article will examine the top alternatives to Alibaba for sourcing products and suppliers in Vietnam. This exploration is crucial for companies that 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 explore various platforms based in Vietnam or those with a strong network and understanding of the Vietnamese market. These alternatives are not just digital marketplaces; they are vital tools for connecting with various suppliers, understanding local business practices, and navigating the Vietnamese trade's logistical and regulatory landscape.
Join us as we uncover these platforms and offer insights into how they can complement or enhance your sourcing strategies in Vietnam. Whether you're a small business seeking niche products or a large enterprise looking to expand your supply chain in Southeast Asia, this article will guide you through 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 for finding suppliers, you may be wondering how to find suppliers in Vietnam. To start, you can use Alibaba, as they allow you to sort by country—select Vietnam from the country tab. Beyond Alibaba, a few other websites focus specifically on Vietnam and are excellent resources for finding Vietnamese suppliers.
Alibaba Vietnam
Although Alibaba is a Chinese company primarily focused on China, it still maintains a very impressive list of Vietnamese suppliers. If you've used Alibaba to find suppliers in China, you’re already familiar with how to search for suppliers. If 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. Due to its superior quality, it is a better option than others. In addition to the database, it provides 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 designed to serve as a database of Japanese companies that manufacture and conduct business in Vietnam. They maintain an excellent database of Vietnamese-based manufacturers in English that is easy to search. 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 suppliers through it.
VietnamAZ
VietnamAZ is designed for American companies seeking to invest and conduct business in Vietnam. They maintain a large database of suppliers.
VietnameseMade.com
VietnameseMade is another manufacturer database that focuses on the Vietnamese market. It is a B2B trade portal that connects buyers worldwide with sellers in Vietnam.
VCCI News
While the website mainly provides news to Vietnamese exporters, it maintains a directory of businesses in Vietnam. Unfortunately, the directory is somewhat simple and organized by category, making it difficult to use.
Global Sources
While the main focus is China, they still have a decent search for Vietnamese 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 well-vetted list of suppliers and hosts several trade shows. Merle A. Hinrichs founded Global Sources in 1960, and the Company published its first suppliers' databases on CD-ROMs. Global Sources also hosts a sourcing trade show that takes place between the Canton Fairs.
Global Sources' main draw is that they do a much better job with supplier quality control, and the website is made for English speakers. Additionally, the website is clean and 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 diverse and multifaceted economy that encompasses various industries. As these industries grow, many have established trade associations to promote the interests of specific industries in Vietnam and globally. Several of these associations maintain their suppliers' databases. This is not an exhaustive list, as Vietnam has nearly 100 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 aims to promote Vietnamese apparel, garment, and textile manufacturers globally, host regular events and trade shows, and maintain a comprehensive directory of manufacturers. Unfortunately, the directory is limited to only those manufacturers that pay the membership fee, so it isn’t as comprehensive as it should be.
Vietnam Rubber Association
Vietnam is one of the only countries with a fully vertical supply chain for rubber goods. Additionally, Vietnam has a substantial agricultural base that supplies raw rubber and latex to factories capable of producing finished products.
Vietnam Coffee - Cacao Association
VICOFA is a private trade association that represents the interests of the coffee and cacao industries. 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, predominantly involved in handmade leather goods.
Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) -
Vietnam is the world’s third-largest seafood exporter, generating over $5 billion in annual seafood exports. VASEP represents hundreds of fisheries, fishers, packaging companies, and much more in the seafood industry. They also maintain their supplier database. Unfortunately, Cosmo cannot source seafood. If you are interested in sourcing seafood from Vietnam, please don't hesitate to contact VASEP.
Vietnam Steel Association
One of the leading products that Cosmo sources for clients in Vietnam is steel goods. Vietnam is a great place to obtain a wide range of steel products, including wire, nails, rods, and heavy steel beams.
Vietnam Electronics Industry
VEI’s website is disappointingly low-tech and outdated for 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 the trade shows. For a comprehensive list of trade shows in Vietnam, visit https://10times.com/vietnam/tradeshows.
VIETNAM EXPO 2023
Vietnam Expo is Vietnam’s largest trade show and one of the few that is not industry-specific. Instead, it promotes trade and industry in Vietnam, 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 take place from April 8 to 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. It focuses on higher-end goods sold by Vietnamese manufacturers. To be clear, the fair has many items manufactured outside of Vietnam that are 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 starting point for finding suppliers, as almost all maintain extensive databases of potential suppliers.
Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) provides information to individuals seeking 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 promote American business interests abroad in similar ways. 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 with Vietnamese suppliers through 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 companies from their respective countries that manufacture 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 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 few companies that can source suppliers in both China and Vietnam, allowing you to select the one that best suits your needs.
Our Vietnam Sourcing services enable you to access new manufacturers that are not available in China, allowing you to avoid Tariffs. Our services are designed to take your idea, turn it into a product, and ship it to its final destination. Cosmo can handle everything from creating a product spec sheet to validating, sourcing, ordering, evaluating samples, arranging inspections, finding freight forwarders, ensuring quality assurance, negotiating, 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 aspect of your business in China and Vietnam, allowing you to focus on 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.