Should your DTC brand consider sourcing from Vietnam? A lot of exporters rely on China and Mexico when it comes to manufacturing. But Vietnam has quietly become a great option—especially for apparel, electronics, furniture, and consumer goods. While many DTC brands haven’t yet made the leap, word goes around that those who do often find valuable lessons that go beyond just cost savings.
That’s why our team at Move Supply Chain recently toured a Vietnam-based manufacturing facility run by a Chinese owner—and walked away with practical insights that every DTC brand should be paying attention to right now.
This wasn’t a vendor pitch. It was a behind-the-scenes look at how one operator is managing production across both Vietnam and China, what systems he’s using, and where smart brands can find an edge.
Here are 7 lessons that stood out and why it matters.
1. China still dominates mold-making.
Even with active production in Vietnam, all mold development including 2D and 3D design is still handled in China.
The reason is simple: mold expertise, equipment quality, and speed remain superior in China. According to the owner, trying to replicate that level of precision in Vietnam just isn’t efficient (yet).
2. Vietnam production can move faster than expected.
This facility currently produces 300–400 units per day for larger silicone-based products.
Even more impressive? Their lead time for 1,000 pcs is just 10 days.
And they’re not rushing the process, they’re just ready, with materials and systems in place.
3. They’re using Odoo ERP—and it’s working.
The entire operation runs on Odoo, a modern ERP system that’s gaining traction with agile manufacturers.
It provides full process visibility:
- Material traceability
- Production checkpoints
- Real-time updates on output and QC
It’s structured like SAP, but with better usability for fast-moving brands.
4. They keep 20 tons of silicone on hand—seriously.
One major differentiator: this factory warehouses 20 tons of silicone locally.
That means:
- Faster production starts
- No delays waiting for inbound raw material
- Reduced exposure to international shipment delays
Especially in today’s climate, that kind of buffer is a major win.
5. Freight out of Vietnam has unique considerations.
Shipping from Vietnam is slightly more expensive than from China, largely because:
- Silicone materials are shipped China → Hong Kong → Vietnam
- Finished goods then go Vietnam → U.S., with fewer direct lanes available
However, the factory works with an established freight forwarding partner, which helps manage costs and create predictable routing.
6. Direct access to the owner makes a difference.
Unlike working through layers of reps or brokers, this setup puts brands in direct communication with the Chinese owner now living in Vietnam.
That means:
- Faster quoting and feedback
- Clearer conversations around feasibility and capacity
- More agile decisions without unnecessary gatekeeping
Working directly with factory leadership is a competitive edge more brands should be leveraging.
7. China vs. Vietnam: An operator’s honest take
When asked how the two countries compare, the owner didn’t hold back:
- China leads in tooling, raw material access, and mold precision
- Vietnam wins on labor cost, lead time flexibility, and operational responsiveness
His recommendation? Build a hybrid model:
- Keep mold-making and raw material sourcing in China
- Shift production to Vietnam for agility, cost-efficiency, and speed
What this means for DTC brands:
This kind of hybrid operation isn’t a future strategy—it’s what smart operators are doing right now.
✅ Leverage China where it excels
✅ Use Vietnam to move faster and leaner
✅ Prioritize supplier relationships with owner-level visibility
With tariffs and geopolitical pressure increasing, DTC brands need to rethink not just how they produce, but where and with whom.
Need support building a China+Vietnam strategy?
Move Supply Chain is actively helping brands run test batches, compare vendor performance, and optimize freight and cost structure across Asia.
Get started with our Sourcing Optimization Trial, which includes vendor vetting, a sourcing audit, and tactical savings recommendations.
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