Finding a supplier in Vietnam is not hard. A search on Alibaba or a directory site will return dozens of factories claiming to make exactly what you need. Finding a reliable one is the actual problem, and each of the common channels for finding suppliers comes with its own blind spot.
Online directories and marketplaces
These are a reasonable starting point for identifying who exists, but listings are self-reported, and a polished profile page tells you nothing about actual production capability, current quality standards, or whether the company on the listing is a factory or a trading company reselling someone else’s output.
Trade shows
Meeting a supplier in person at a trade show is better than an online listing, but it still only shows you what they choose to bring to a booth. It does not show you their actual factory floor, current backlog, or how they perform under a real production deadline.
Referrals
A referral from someone you trust is usually the strongest signal, but it is not a guarantee. A supplier that performed well on one product category or order volume may not perform the same way on yours, and relationships change as factories grow or take on new ownership.
Sourcing agents
An agent can save real time, but many are paid by the factories they introduce you to, which shapes who gets recommended. Ask directly how an agent is compensated before trusting their shortlist.
How we handle it
Whichever channel surfaces a candidate, we verify them the same way: an in-person visit, a check on whether they are a factory or a trading company, and confirmation they can actually deliver at your spec and volume, before you send a deposit based on a good first impression.