FAQ - How do I find a supplier (or build a factory) in Vietnam?

We are conducting research to locate potential manufacturers for our products, and to investigate the possibility of acquiring (or design build) a manufacturing facility in Vietnam. We do not have a current contacts to assist with business relations in Vietnam. Can you provide such services or information?

Answer

We have received many questions from U.S. Companies that want to source product from Vietnam, either find an existing supplier or build their own factory. Please read the below carefully, click on the links and explore all the information that is available.

If you have additional general information questions, please ask us by email, or skype us.

As your questions become more specific, you’ll need to talk with our member firms that provide professional and businesses services for investing in Vietnam.

When U.S. firms contact us for information, we inform members of our Investment Promotion Committee about your interest, and they will contact you to answer your questions directly.

AmCham member companies share experience

There are many AmCham members that can help you find potential manufacturers for your product(s). Click on the words highlighted in red for additional detailed information.

Indochina Finance and Investment provides market entry solutions for growing companies and their subsidiaries, and has a track record of 14 years in Vietnam. Typical clients are large and medium multi-national investors looking to execute cross-border transactions such as setting up a branch, distribution, or manufacturing outside its home market or acquiring an existing business in Vietnam.

SEAMOC provides the guidance and management skills that will help assure the success of a factory start-up in Asia, and has already started and managed 15 factories with five factories in Vietnam, and others in China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Industrial Real Estate Overview, Jul-Sep 2008, CBRE/HCMC, CBRE Vietnam (HCMC) A powerpoint presentation with maps outlining the key regions in Vietnam and the industrial real estate options there.

AmCham Market Research and Business Consulting member firms could be the first place for you to start.

For example, Mekong Research provides credible, independent data and analysis on industry trends, markets, and over 6,000 of the region’s most promising companies. The company’s research is used by its clients to develop business plans, investment strategies, and marketing campaigns.

Other Asian Factories

Investors from Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and other Asian economies can be a good source of supply. For example, there are about 4,000 factories from Taiwan established in the Ho Chi Minh City area, and they are familiar with international trade practices.

Click this link to send an email asking about potential suppliers to

Commercial Officer at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in HCM City

Korean Chamber of Commerce in HCM City

Hong Kong Business Association of Vietnam – HCM City

Japan Business Association in HCM City web site: http://jbah.info.vn/secretariat.php

Vietnamese Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Agencies, and Industry Associations

There are also Vietnamese government agencies that specialize in helping US companies identify suppliers or investment locations. For example, the Investment & Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee provides local and foreign businesses with trade leads and investment information, match-making and consulting services, and acts as an efficient bridge between local enterprises and foreign counterparts. Click this link to send an email to Ms. Ngan Giang NGUYEN, ITPC Liaison Officer to AmCham or Ms. Anh Tuyet NGUYEN, ITPC Liaison Officer to AmCham.

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI) also cooperates closely with us at AmCham to promote trade and investment between Vietnam and the U.S. Click this link to send an email to Ms. Vinh BUI, VCCI Liaison Officer to AmCham.

The DIZA – Dong Nai Industrial Zones Authority of the Dong Nai province People’s Committee has assisted over 678 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects from 30 countries and territories with investment capital of USD 7.845 billion, ranking third in the nation in FDI, and probably first in the nation in FDI in manufacturing facilities. DIZA manages 32 industrial zones, and is a very proactive partner in working with businesses seeking to source from or invest in Vietnam. Click here for a list of all Dong Nai’s Industrial Zones. Fron that page, you can click on links to each IZ, which will have detailed information, including land costs, utilities (electric power, water, etc.), labor rates, etc. Click here to see an example of detailed information from the land and utilities costs at Amata Industrial Estate.

The HEPZA – Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority of the Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) People’s Committee manages 11 industrial zones with one new one under construction (Cat Lai). Click here for a map showing the location of each EPZ/IZ, with clickable links that take you to pages with detailed information on land costs, utilities (electric power, water, etc.), labor rates, etc..

Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) VITAS is a non-governmental and non-profit organization representing the interests of all textile and apparel firms in Vietnam, foreign and domestic, with the Government of Vietnam, other governmental bodies and international organizations. It promotes VN textile and apparel products in World Markets. Click here to contact Hung PHAM, Director, External Affairs

Click here to go direct to the web sites of three AmCham member firms that operate Industrial Zones in the Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai area:

Amata Industrial Estate

Tan Thuan EPZ

American Business Zone

AmCham Member Firms – Professional and Business Service Providers

There are 14 AmCham Legal Services firms with a major focus on facilitating commercial transactions, trade and investment, between the United States and Vietnam. Certainly several of them will be familiar with potential suppliers of your products. Click on the above red highlight Legal Services link, and then review each of the member listings. You will also have a link direct to each member’s web site and can also contact each one of them via email when you use the “Click here to contact … ” the AmCham member firm.

Ten AmCham member firms are in the Accounting and Auditing Services sector. Most of them have a consulting and advisory unit that will conduct feasibility studies and help develop business plan for new investors that want to source or product in Vietnam.

AmCham members in the Banking, Finance, and Insurance sector will know of companies that are exporting your products to the US. In particular, you will want to contact the AmCham member Banks and Venture Capital Firms that are identifying and supporting quality Vietnamese companies that can supply products to the US market.

Another good source of information may be AmCham member firms in the Transport, Shipping, and Logistics sector. They carry the exports from Vietnam and will know of companies that may be already exporting products of interest to you. In a similar category are the Air Express Carriers, including DHL, FedEx Express, TNT, UPS.

Finally, if you get the the stage of designing and building your own factory, you will want to contact AmCham member firms in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction sector.

We here in the AmCham office are at your service to facilitate communication between you and AmCham member firms, and we can also facilitate hotel arrangements, ground transportation, and appointments, along with an assistant to accompany you on your appointments, when you decide to come to Vietnam for a first-hand look.

The Foreign Companies in Vietnam Yearbook

Foreign direct invested companies account for 40% of the industrial output and 60% of the exports of Vietnam in 2006-2007.

The Foreign Companies in Vietnam Yearbook 2008 and CD-Rom 2008 is a researched company database of major international companies in Vietnam. A unique Vietnamese companies directory, the Foreign Companies in Vietnam Yearbook database provides hard-to-find information on this growing emerging market. The Vietnam database features 1475 fully researched, senior executive contacts and top decision makers at 640 multinational companies in Vietnam, across 37 industry sectors. The Vietnam Yearbook also covers detailed international company profiles on parent company head offices worldwide.

Other Directories

There are a few directories that may be helpful. Probably one of the most familiar to American companies is the Vietnam Yellow Pages, a member of the YELLOW PAGES ASSOCIATION.

Vietnam Trademarks on the Internet will help you find brand-owners’ company names and contact points, along with a link to their web sites.

Mekong Research Company Directory is a proprietary online database containing eight years of economic data and information on more than 6,000 Vietnamese and foreign-invested companies, which will help clients identify suitable investment and outsourcing partners, or manufacturers of specific products.