Vietnam has been growing rapidly in recent years and is now one of the leading producers of shoes in the world. When it comes to high-volume footwear manufacturing, Vietnam is a very attractive place for many companies. If you’re thinking about manufacturing shoes in Vietnam, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to get started. This article will discuss the Vietnamese footwear manufacturing sector and how to ensure high product quality. The Vietnamese Footwear Manufacturing Sector The Vietnam shoe industry is a thriving sector of the country’s economy, employing thousands of workers and producing millions of pairs of shoes each year. The majority of the shoes produced in Vietnam are for export, with $18.6 billion in export value in 2020, with the United States being the biggest market (34.5% of exports). In total, from January 2021 to November 2022, over 300,000 shipments of shoes were exported from Vietnam. According to the Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association (2021), Vietnam has 2,180 enterprises producing footwear. Most of them are centered in or around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City provinces. In recent years, Vietnamese exports have averaged a 9.93% growth annually. The vast potential of Vietnam’s footwear industry is supported by its connection with the fashion industry, which specializes in the production of accessories like handbags and textiles. One of the main reasons Vietnam is such an attractive place to produce shoes is that there are no duty restrictions when exporting from Vietnam. The EVFTA (European Vietnam Free Trade Agreement) has been implemented, allowing for 99% of all footwear production to be exported to the European Union without import duties. This means the already large production increased even further and shoe quality has improved as companies shifted funds from paying tariffs to investing in quality. Most of the shoes produced in Vietnam are low-end or mid-range products. However, there is a growing trend for Vietnamese manufacturers to produce higher-quality shoes for the domestic and export markets. The vast majority of the shoes produced in Vietnam are made from leather or synthetic materials. A small number of manufacturers also produce footwear made from rubber or plastic. The production process typically begins with raw materials being cut into pieces and then assembled into upper and lower parts. These parts are then stitched together, before being attached to the sole. The final step is to add any embellishments or finishes, such as laces or buckles. What are the Types of Shoes Made in Vietnam? The Vietnamese shoe industry produces a wide variety of mass-produced shoes, including sandals, flip-flops, sneakers, and dress shoes. These shoes are usually made in factories using machines and are often cheaper than handmade shoes. The industry has been growing rapidly in recent years and is now one of the leading producers of mass-produced shoes in the world. The Vietnamese shoe industry also produces a wide variety of handmade shoes. These shoes are usually made by individual craftspeople and are often more expensive than mass-produced shoes. Handmade shoes often have better quality than mass-produced shoes, but they can be harder to find. Selecting Footwear Suppliers in Vietnam There are some things to keep in mind when sourcing footwear from Vietnam. First, it is important to work with a reputable manufacturer. There are many fly-by-night operations in Vietnam, so it’s important to evaluate which companies are reputable before making a choice. Know what you need: Before you start your search for a supplier, it’s important to know what you need. Take time to think about the products you want to sell and the type of supplier you need. Do you want a supplier who specializes in one type of shoe or one who offers a variety of shoes? Once you know what you need, you can narrow down your search and save time. Research potential suppliers: Next, it’s time to start researching potential suppliers. Finding footwear suppliers in Vietnam can be done through online research (on websites such as Alibaba and Global Sources Vietnam), attending trade shows and industry events, asking other businesses for recommendations, or contacting local Chambers of Commerce and trade associations. When researching potential suppliers, pay attention to their experience, product quality, and customer service. These are all important factors to consider when choosing a footwear supplier. Compare prices and terms: Once you’ve found a few potential suppliers, it’s time to compare prices and terms. Make sure you understand the terms of each contract before signing. Pay attention to the price per unit as well as any minimum order requirements, delivery time and logistics costs. Also, find out if there are any discounts available if you order in bulk. Visit the factory. It is always strongly recommended to meet the supplier and visit the factory before doing business with them to make sure the supplier exists and isn’t a fraud. A visit will also ensure they have the right equipment, capacity, and industry experience for your product. It is also important to ensure that the supplier respects human and labor rights as well as local regulations. In case you cannot visit the supplier yourself, a third-party company can audit the factory for you. A Supplier Quality audit is one of the recommended solutions. This audit helps to evaluate if a potential vendor is legitimate before a partnership is formed, determines the risk level and provides an overview of its qualifications. In Vietnam, it is also important to verify Social Compliance and quality management aspects in order to ensure your supply chain respects human rights. Doing so can help you reduce your sourcing risk when manufacturing footwear in Vietnam. To learn more about supplier selection and supplier qualification in Vietnam read this article here. How to ensure footwear quality in Vietnam? Since shoe quality can be a challenge if expectations are not managed from the very beginning, conducting product inspections at the factory is important to ensure quality and compliance with market standards. This includes both pre-production quality control (inspecting materials and components before they are used in production) and pre-shipment inspections (inspecting finished shoes before they are shipped). One of the most important aspects of quality control for footwear is the inspection of materials. All leather and synthetic materials used in the production of shoes must be inspected for defects before they can be used. Once these materials have been approved, they can be cut and sewn into shoes. After the shoes have been assembled, they must undergo a pre-shipment inspection. This type of inspection is used to check the workmanship, performance, packaging, labeling, certifications, and product quantity before shipment. Common defects are related to the stitching, soles, uppers, and linings of the shoes. Any shoes that do not meet the required standards will be rejected and sent back for repair or replacement. About Us Pro QC International has nearly 40 years of experience working in the quality control industry. We offer a range of services such as supplier audits, product inspections, and supplier management to help our clients that manufacture footwear in Vietnam. . Contact us at info@proqc.com for more information.
