I recently visited a garment factory in Haiphong for a client. The "Golden Sample" (the perfect prototype) looked amazing. But when I checked the production line, 20% of the zippers were sewn on backwards. 1. The "Golden Sample" Fallacy Vietnamese factories are eager to please. They will hand-craft a perfect sample to get your business. 2. You Need AQL (Acceptable … [Read more...] about Quality Control (QC) in Vietnam: Why the “Golden Sample” is a Trap
Electronics Manufacturing in Vietnam: The “Component Gap” You Must Know
Everyone wants to move their electronics supply chain to Vietnam. But as an engineer, I need to warn you about the "Supply Chain Gap." Vietnam is amazing at Assembly (SMT, Box Build). We are terrible at Components (Resistors, Capacitors, Bare PCBs). 1. The "China Plus One" Reality If you build a circuit board in Shenzhen, the factory can buy the capacitors from a shop … [Read more...] about Electronics Manufacturing in Vietnam: The “Component Gap” You Must Know
Navigating Payment in Vietnam: Your Guide to T/T vs. L/C and the “Red Invoice”
For international buyers, managing payments to Vietnamese suppliers involves navigating both financial logistics and local regulations. Two of the most common payment methods—Telegraphic Transfer (T/T) and Letter of Credit (L/C)—offer different balances of risk and cost. Furthermore, complying with Vietnam’s "Red Invoice" rule is non-negotiable for … [Read more...] about Navigating Payment in Vietnam: Your Guide to T/T vs. L/C and the “Red Invoice”
Bac Ninh vs. Bac Giang: Where Are Apple, Samsung, and Foxconn Actually
Introduction: You hear the names "Bac Ninh" and "Bac Giang" constantly in financial news. But to a Western buyer, they just sound like random provinces. These two provinces, bordering Hanoi, are the global factory floor for electronics. If you are looking for a supplier, 80% of the best ones are inside these specific Industrial Parks (IPs). 1. Bac Ninh: The "Samsung … [Read more...] about Bac Ninh vs. Bac Giang: Where Are Apple, Samsung, and Foxconn Actually
The “Tet” Shutdown: How to Survive Vietnam’s 3-Week Manufacturing Blackout
If you are new to sourcing in Vietnam, you are about to hit a brick wall called "Tet" (Lunar New Year). Unlike the Western "Christmas break" where people answer emails, Tet is a total shutdown. Factories close. Customs slows down. Trucks stop running. If you don't plan for this, you will have zero inventory for February. 1. The Timeline (What Actually Happens) Tet is not … [Read more...] about The “Tet” Shutdown: How to Survive Vietnam’s 3-Week Manufacturing Blackout