Sourcing From Vietnam: The VDS Podcast
Short episodes on real sourcing questions, every Tuesday
Episode 19 – Navigating Trade Terms with Vietnam: Incoterms Guide
Incoterms determine exactly who pays for shipping, who carries the risk, and where responsibility shifts from seller to buyer — and getting them wrong can quietly cost you thousands on a single shipment from Vietnam. This episode breaks down the Incoterms importers encounter most often when sourcing from Vietnam, including EXW, FOB, DDP, and CFR, explaining what each one actually means for your costs and risk exposure with a real-world example. We also cover how working with an experienced Vietnam sourcing partner can help you choose the right terms and avoid costly missteps. If Incoterms have ever left you confused on a purchase order, this episode clears it up.
Episode 18 – Harnessing Procurement Technology for Efficient Global Sourcing
Procurement technology has moved well past simple purchase-order software — modern e-sourcing platforms now let importers select suppliers, negotiate contracts, and track shipments in real time from a single dashboard. This episode explores how these digital tools are boosting efficiency, cutting down on costly errors, and giving procurement teams the data they need to make faster, better-informed sourcing decisions. We also address the real challenges of adoption, including staff training and integrating new systems with existing workflows. If your sourcing process still runs on spreadsheets and email chains, this episode makes the case for why procurement technology is now table stakes for efficient, transparent global sourcing.
Episode 17 – Contract Manufacturing: A Smart Strategy for Expanding Production with Vietnam Suppliers
Contract manufacturing lets growing businesses scale production without the capital investment of building their own factory — and Vietnam has become one of the most attractive places to do it. This episode covers the full picture: the cost savings and specialized expertise you gain from partnering with a contract manufacturer, the quality control and communication challenges to plan for, and how to choose the right manufacturing partner based on quality assurance, total cost, and location. We also look at where contract manufacturing is headed, including automation and supply chain resilience trends. If you’re weighing contract manufacturing in Vietnam as your next growth strategy, this episode covers what to evaluate first.
Episode 16 – The Rise of Near shoring to Southeast Asia: Vietnam’s Emerging Role
Nearshoring to Southeast Asia has picked up real momentum as businesses look to shorten supply chains and reduce dependence on any single country — and Vietnam has become a central part of that shift. This episode explores why manufacturers are choosing Vietnam over China for a growing share of production, from competitive labor costs and a skilled workforce to trade agreements like CPTPP and EVFTA that ease market access. We also cover the real challenges — infrastructure limitations and rising competition for skilled labor — that come with Vietnam’s rapid growth as a sourcing hub. If you’re evaluating nearshoring options, this episode explains why Vietnam keeps coming up as the answer.
Episode 15 – Mastering Supplier Management, Procurement and Vietnam Global Sourcing Strategies
Sourcing success comes down to more than finding a factory that can make your product — it’s about building a repeatable system for supplier management and procurement. This episode walks through the core steps: identifying qualified suppliers, evaluating their capabilities, negotiating fair terms, and enforcing quality assurance at every stage of production. We also dig into proven Vietnam sourcing strategies, including market research approaches and ethical sourcing practices that keep supplier relationships strong over time. If you’re managing multiple Vietnamese suppliers or building out a formal procurement process for the first time, this episode offers a practical playbook.
Episode 14 – Sustainability in Global Sourcing: A New Standard for 2024
Sustainable sourcing stopped being optional for global brands a while back — today it’s a baseline expectation from customers, retailers, and regulators alike. This episode looks at why Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles have become central to global sourcing strategy, and how integrating sustainability into your supply chain can improve both brand reputation and long-term profitability. We feature a case study on Vietnam’s manufacturing sector, where local industries are increasingly leading on sustainable production practices. If you’re building an ESG strategy for your supply chain or evaluating suppliers on more than just price, this episode lays out what a genuinely sustainable sourcing standard looks like.
Episode 13 – Calculating Landed Costs for Vietnam Sourcing
The price quoted by a Vietnamese factory is rarely the true cost of getting that product to your warehouse — landed cost is what actually determines your margins. This episode breaks down every component of landed cost when sourcing from Vietnam: product cost, freight, customs duties, insurance, and the smaller fees that add up fast if you don’t account for them upfront. We also share practical ways to reduce landed costs, from partnering with reliable freight forwarders to negotiating better terms directly with suppliers. If you’ve ever been surprised by the real cost of an import shipment, this episode gives you the framework to calculate it accurately every time.
Episode 12 – How to Use a Sourcing Agent to Grow Your Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
A good sourcing agent can be the difference between a smooth supplier relationship and months of frustration — especially when you’re sourcing from an unfamiliar market like Vietnam. This episode walks through, step by step, how sourcing agents help importers find reliable suppliers, negotiate better pricing, and enforce quality control on the factory floor. We cover exactly what to look for when vetting a sourcing agent, the red flags to avoid, and how the right partner can streamline logistics so you can focus on scaling your business instead of chasing suppliers. If you’re considering working with a sourcing agent in Vietnam, this episode covers what the relationship should actually look like.
Episode 11 – “China + 1” Strategy: Secure Your Supply Chain Before the Next Disruption
The ‘China + 1’ strategy — adding a second manufacturing base alongside China — has become a standard risk-management move for importers who don’t want to be caught off guard by the next supply chain shock. This episode explains why Vietnam has emerged as the leading choice for that second location, covering the cost advantages, skilled labor pool, and political stability that make it a natural fit. We look at how companies like Apple and Samsung have already shifted parts of their operations to Vietnam, along with the real challenges and rewards of diversifying beyond a single-country sourcing model. If your supply chain is currently all-in on one country, this episode makes the case for change.
Episode 10 – Exploring Sourcing Options: Vietnam or China in 2025
Vietnam or China — which is the better sourcing destination in 2025? This episode compares the two manufacturing giants across the factors that matter most to importers: production cost, quality control standards, infrastructure maturity, and lead times. We look at why Vietnam has become the stronger choice for less complex goods like textiles and electronics assembly, thanks to competitive labor costs and steadily improving quality standards, while China still holds an edge in high-tech and highly complex manufacturing. The takeaway: flexibility — and sometimes a multi-country sourcing strategy — is often the smartest path forward. If you’re deciding between the two, this episode breaks down exactly where each one wins.