Conversations About Sourcing From Vietnam
Conversations that Drive Sourcing Success
Episode 56 – How to Request an FMCG Quote from Vietnam (and Get a Real Number Back)
Ask three Vietnamese factories for an FMCG price and you will get three quotes you cannot compare. Rod sets out the five things a real quotation needs from you, why the packaging rather than the product usually sets the MOQ, and how to brief a factory so the number that comes back actually means something.
Episode 55 – Organic Cotton, Bamboo & Hemp Fabric from Vietnam: GOTS and OEKO-TEX Explained
Vietnam’s strength in organic fabric isn’t weaving — it’s making-up. Rod breaks down what GOTS and OEKO-TEX actually certify, why the country’s dyeing capacity is the scarce link in the chain, and why buyers should qualify a full-package manufacturer rather than chase a roll of certified cloth.
Episode 54 – How to Source Construction Materials from Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the few countries that can supply a construction project end-to-end — steel, cement, tile and glass — at export scale and international standard. This episode covers what you can realistically source by category, the regional supply map, and the verification steps that catch a spec substitution before it reaches your container.
Episode 53 – How to Find Electronic Component Manufacturers in Vietnam
Vietnam’s electronics exports topped $165 billion last year, but most of that belongs to Samsung’s own supply chain — not the independent PCB and contract-assembly factories that will actually quote your order. This episode covers what you can realistically source, the reality behind “Made in Vietnam” component content, and the certifications and ESD checks worth confirming before you commit.
Episode 52 – How to Find Steel & Metal Fabrication Suppliers in Vietnam
Vietnam is now the largest steel producer in Southeast Asia and, in 2026, joined the world’s top ten — but “made in Vietnam” is a statement about where the material was transformed, not where the workshop is. This episode covers what you can realistically source, the EU and US trade-defence measures that catch importers out, and the origin documents a fabricator has to be able to produce.
Episode 51 – Navigating the AANZFTA Second Protocol for Vietnam Trade
The AANZFTA Second Protocol — the first major upgrade to the agreement in over a decade — entered into force for Vietnam in August 2025, and most importers still haven’t updated their paperwork to match. This episode is a plain-English walkthrough of what actually changed: simplified, modernised rules of origin, faster customs and trade facilitation, and three brand-new chapters covering MSMEs, government procurement, and trade and sustainable development. We also cover the practical checklist — re-confirming origin classification, refreshing your Form AANZ certificate process, and re-mapping products across AANZFTA, CPTPP and RCEP. If you import from or export to Vietnam under AANZFTA, this episode covers what to update now to protect your duty-free position.
Episode 50 – AANZFTA vs CPTPP vs RCEP Trade Agreements for Australia & Vietnam
Vietnam and Australia are linked by three overlapping free trade agreements — AANZFTA, the CPTPP, and RCEP — and importers routinely default to the wrong one, quietly overpaying duty or filing origin claims their goods don’t actually qualify for. This episode breaks down the practical differences between the three: how rules of origin, not headline tariff rates, really decide the cheapest and lowest-risk route, why AANZFTA’s authority-issued Form AANZ is often the safest first choice, and when RCEP’s cumulation across China, Japan and Korea is the only agreement your goods will actually pass. If you’re sourcing from Vietnam into Australia or New Zealand, this episode covers how to match each product line to the right agreement instead of picking one for your whole catalogue.
Episode 49 – How to Find Curcumin & Turmeric Extract Suppliers in Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the world’s top turmeric producers, but sourcing genuine curcumin extract means navigating adulteration and inconsistent purity. This episode covers how to source turmeric powder or 95% curcumin extract, the lab tests that verify real potency, and how to vet suppliers before you commit to an order.
Episode 48 – How to Find Biodegradable & Compostable Packaging Manufacturers in Vietnam
Sustainable packaging has moved from a nice-to-have to a baseline requirement for brands selling into most global markets, and Vietnam has emerged as a leading hub for compostable and biodegradable packaging manufacturing. This episode covers how to look past greenwashing when vetting packaging suppliers, including the real differences between material types, why certifications like EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 actually matter, and how on-site factory verification confirms that packaging is genuinely compostable rather than just marketed that way. If your brand needs to source biodegradable or compostable packaging from Vietnam, this episode covers how to separate legitimate manufacturers from suppliers making unverified sustainability claims.
Episode 47 – How to Find Furniture & Wood Manufacturers in Vietnam
Vietnam has become one of the world’s largest furniture exporters, and its wood manufacturing sector spans everything from solid hardwood furniture to engineered wood products built for export-scale volume. This episode covers how to find and vet furniture and wood manufacturers in Vietnam, including what production capabilities to look for, which regions specialize in which furniture categories, and the certifications — like FSC chain-of-custody — that matter for brands selling into markets with strict sustainable sourcing requirements. We also cover realistic lead times and MOQs for furniture manufacturing in Vietnam. If you’re sourcing furniture or wood products for the first time, this episode covers what separates a reliable manufacturer from a risky one.