Introduction: What Buyers Really See at the Vietnam Sourcing Fair
The Vietnam Sourcing Fair is often searched by U.S. and global buyers who want to diversify away from China. At first glance, it looks like the right place to meet Vietnamese factories and explore local production.
However, insights from weekly visitors and buyers with over 10 years of show experience tell a different story. In reality, the gap between expectations and outcomes is large.
Therefore, this article shares real on-the-ground insights, not marketing claims. As a result, buyers can make better decisions before spending time and money on a sourcing trip to Vietnam.
90–95% of Exhibitors at the Vietnam Sourcing Fair Are China-Based Vendors
One insight surprises most first-time visitors.
👉 Around 90–95% of exhibitors at a Vietnam Sourcing Fair are Chinese vendors.
In most cases, these suppliers:
- Are headquartered in China
- Use Vietnam as a secondary production base
- Attend Vietnam shows to stay visible to U.S. buyers diversifying supply chains
As a result, many booths labeled as “Vietnam suppliers” are not fully Vietnam-based manufacturers. Instead, they are Chinese companies with partial or satellite operations in Vietnam.
Why True Vietnamese Manufacturers Rarely Join the Vietnam Sourcing Fair
Although buyers expect many local factories, Vietnamese suppliers attend in very small numbers. This is not due to weak capability. Instead, it comes from how their businesses operate.
Common reasons include:
- Many factories moved from China to Vietnam due to U.S. tariff pressure
- Their customer base is already fixed with U.S. and global buyers
- They do not sell to the domestic Vietnam market
- Trade shows are not needed to generate leads
Because production in Vietnam is buyer-driven, not market-driven, exhibitions bring little value to them. Therefore, they often skip trade shows entirely.
Only 1–2 Vietnam Sourcing Fair Events Per Year Are Worth Visiting
Vietnam hosts hundreds of sourcing and trade shows every year. However, based on long-term sourcing experience, only 1–2 shows per year are truly worth attending.
A Vietnam Sourcing Fair is worth visiting only when it has:
- A higher number of real Vietnam-based factories
- Chinese vendors that own and operate factories in Vietnam
- Exhibitors with proven capacity, certifications, and export records
- Buyers from the U.S., EU, and Australia with similar sourcing goals
Otherwise, most shows become high-cost and low-return trips. As a result, buyers often leave without usable supplier leads.
Before You Visit Any Vietnam Sourcing Fair: Verify First
Visiting the wrong Vietnam Sourcing Fair can be costly. For overseas buyers, travel expenses add up quickly. Flights, hotels, transport, and lost work time all matter.
Moreover, many buyers only realize after arrival that:
- The exhibitor mix does not match their needs
- Most suppliers are not true Vietnam manufacturers
- The show does not support long-term sourcing goals
That is why verification matters. Based on weekly visits and more than 10 years of market observation, we help buyers evaluate sourcing fairs before they attend. We explain which shows are worth visiting, what suppliers will actually be present, and what results buyers can expect.
Most importantly, these sourcing insights are shared free of charge, with no obligation. Buyers lose nothing. Instead, they gain clarity, realistic expectations, and better sourcing outcomes.
Final advice: always verify before you visit. In the end, preparation costs far less than getting it wrong.
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