As global textile value chains continue to undergo profound restructuring, Vietnam has emerged as one of Asia’s most strategic industrial hubs. For international buyers, brands, suppliers, and industrial investors, the country combines several major strengths: a solid manufacturing base, a workforce with deep experience in garment production, increasing integration into international trade agreements, and a gradual move up the value chain.
That said, Vietnam remains a complex market that is often poorly understood from abroad. Behind attractive narratives around “China+1” strategies or partial supply chain relocation lie many operational realities: supplier heterogeneity, local limitations in raw material availability, regulatory requirements, compliance constraints, and cultural differences in managing industrial relationships. For many foreign players, the main challenge is not Vietnam’s appeal, but the ability to accurately decode how the market truly works.
It is precisely with this objective in mind that the Vietnam Sourcing Forum was designed, taking place as part of VIATT 2026, in partnership with Move To Asia. The seminar aims to provide a pragmatic, structured, and field-based perspective on sourcing and garment manufacturing in Vietnam, tailored to international exhibitors and visitors.
The Vietnam Sourcing Forum at VIATT 2026
As part of VIATT, Vietnam’s leading international trade fair dedicated to the textile and garment industry, the Vietnam Sourcing Forum will take place on 26 February 2026, from 3:35 pm to 4:35 pm, on the first day of the exhibition. The seminar will be held at the Seminar Area, Hall A – A36, a space designed for professional exchange and the sharing of practical industry insights.
The forum is aimed at exhibitors, buyers, international brands, raw material suppliers, and textile industry professionals who are looking to better understand how to work effectively with Vietnam, whether from a sourcing perspective, an industrial development strategy, or a local establishment approach.
The session is intentionally pragmatic and experience driven. Rather than an institutional or promotional presentation, it offers an analytical discussion grounded in real on-the-ground situations, projects carried out with international companies, and the concrete challenges currently faced by industry stakeholders operating in or with Vietnam.
Understanding Textile Sourcing in Vietnam: Realities and Pitfalls to Avoid
The first part of the seminar will be led by Guillaume Rondan, Founder & CEO of Move To Asia, and will provide a clear, structured introduction to textile sourcing in Vietnam. The focus will be on what foreign buyers genuinely need to understand before committing volumes or making long-term sourcing decisions.
Guillaume will outline the diversity of Vietnam’s garment ecosystem, from agile sampling units and export-oriented cut-and-sew facilities to large-scale industrial manufacturers serving international brands. He will highlight why selecting the right type of partner, based on project scale, product complexity, and compliance requirements, is one of the most critical steps in a successful sourcing strategy.
The session will also address recurring sourcing challenges, including raw material constraints, common misconceptions, and frequent operational pitfalls. Drawing on client case examples, Guillaume Rondan will demonstrate how a disciplined, progressive approach, combining supplier qualification, structured sampling, and robust quality control, can significantly reduce risk and secure sourcing outcomes in Vietnam.
Manufacturing, Market Entry, and Commercial Development in Vietnam
The second half of the forum will be led by Pietro Karjalainen, Co-Founder & CSO of FVSource, who will expand the discussion beyond sourcing to broader questions of manufacturing and market entry.
As companies gain familiarity with Vietnam, some begin exploring options such as establishing a representative office, strengthening local sales channels, or developing a more structured operational presence. Each pathway carries different levels of commitment, responsibility, and complexity.
Based on his experience advising European and international companies active in Vietnam, Pietro will share perspectives on how businesses typically evaluate these options, what practical considerations tend to shape decision-making, and how phased development often reduces risk compared to accelerated expansion.
The discussion will also briefly consider Vietnam’s longer-term positioning within the garment industry, particularly as expectations around compliance, governance, and value-added production continue to rise.
Who May Benefit from Attending
- International buyers evaluating or expanding sourcing in Vietnam
- Exhibitors and suppliers seeking to understand local industrial dynamics
- Brands exploring supply chain diversification
- Companies considering a more structured presence in the country
The session is designed to provide context and perspective rather than definitive answers, helping participants frame their own strategies more clearly.
Join Us at VIATT 2026
As part of our collaboration with VIATT, MoveToAsia is pleased to extend exclusive benefits to members of our professional network who wish to attend as buyers or investors.
By registering through our dedicated link, participants may gain eligibility for the VIP Buyer Programme and enter a draw to win a USD 100 Trip.com voucher valid for travel in 2026.
We look forward to welcoming industry professionals at VIATT and contributing to a thoughtful, practical discussion on sourcing and manufacturing in Vietnam.