Northern Vietnam’s manufacturing corridor around Hanoi, extending into Bac Ninh, Bac Giang and Hai Phong, has matured into a hub for electronics, plastics, metalwork and supporting industries, while textiles, furniture, and packaging remain strong nationwide.
Global anchors like Samsung (Bac Ninh/Thai Nguyen) and Foxconn (Bac Ninh/Bac Giang) have catalyzed supply chains that small businesses can now tap with the right on-the-ground help.
Still, first-time buyers run into hurdles; an experienced Hanoi based sourcing partner can de-risk vendor selection, sampling and production follow-up.
Why is Hanoi a Rising Hub for Small Business Buyers?
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and also the second most populous city in the country. It has the second highest regional gross domestic product in Vietnam, just behind Ho Chi Minh City.
In 2024, Hanoi generated USD 19.1 billion in exports, representing 14.8% growth over the year, according to the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade. The city’s main exports are computer components, machinery, vehicles, textiles, agricultural products, and wood.
This variety of products makes the city a strategic location for all small business buyers, who can meet all their needs in one place with the help of specialized sourcing companies.
An environment that encourages local sourcing
As the country’s capital, Hanoi has a well-established industrial structure, supported by nearly 1,000 companies in the supporting industry, with more than a third of them meeting international standards.
These companies, which are particularly attractive to sourcing and small business buyers, are grouped together in strategic industrial parks specializing in various fields such as electronics, automotive, and precision engineering.
A dense road network also connects the city to the rest of the country, ensuring proximity to high-quality national suppliers.
All these factors make Hanoi a robust and connected industrial base, giving small businesses concrete access to an integrated local production chain.
Hanoi, significant support for SMEs
For buyers from small businesses, it would seem obvious to turn to Hanoi to do business: numerous support measures have been put in place to aid their development.
To name a few, the city launched the OCOP (One Commune One Product) program in 2008 to encourage the development of certified products. The goal is to professionalize artisanal and agricultural production by helping producers enter international markets.
Starting in 2026, businesses will be able to receive financial support of up to VND 300 million (approximately USD 11,850) per year for training, start-up development, and consulting services. This program could enable many SMEs to grow in a favorable environment, with the best tools at their disposal.
In addition, the capital organizes many trade promotion events, such as fairs and product exhibitions, to increase the visibility of local products and create valuable outlets for them.
Top Manufacturing Clusters in North Vietnam
The Northern Key Economic Region (NKEZ) of Vietnam, anchored by the capital Hanoi, has solidified its position as a major global manufacturing hub, particularly for high-tech electronics and export-oriented production. This region’s strength lies in its excellent connectivity to East Asian markets, developed infrastructure, and a growing skilled labor pool.
The manufacturing growth is concentrated in key provinces and cities surrounding Hanoi, forming a dynamic industrial network.
| Province/City | Primary Manufacturing Focus | Key Industrial Zones/Parks (Examples) | Strategic Advantage |
| Bắc Ninh | Electronics and Precision Manufacturing (a major component of Vietnam’s technological powerhouse) | VSIP Bắc Ninh, Yên Phong I/II Industrial Park | Closest proximity to Hanoi, strong anchor investor presence (e.g., Samsung), high FDI attraction. |
| Hải Phòng | Heavy Industry, Automotive, Electronics, and Logistics | DEEP C Industrial Park Complex, Nam Đình Vũ Industrial Park | Major port city, access to deep-water ports (Lạch Huyện), crucial for export-oriented heavy and light industries. |
| Hà Nội | High-Tech, R&D, and Light Industry | Hòa Lạc Hi-Tech Park, Thăng Long Industrial Park, Nội Bài Industrial Park | Capital’s high-tech focus, large labor pool, and proximity to Noi Bai International Airport. |
| Bắc Giang | Electronics and Supporting Industries | Song Khê – Nội Hoàng Industrial Park, Quang Châu Industrial Park | Strong recent growth in attracting FDI, often complementing the supply chains of neighboring Bắc Ninh. |
| Vĩnh Phúc | Automotive, Electronics, and Supporting Industries | Bình Xuyên Industrial Park, Khai Quang Industrial Park | Strategic location near the Hanoi-Lao Cai Expressway, attracting key players in the automotive sector. |
Why Does Using a Sourcing Firm Make Sense for Small Businesses ?
Having a local partner based directly in Hanoi allows small businesses to reduce the risk of mismatches between suppliers and to negotiate optimal minimum order quantities and delivery times. In addition, documentation and compliance are handled by the sourcing firm even before the goods arrive at the airport.
In practice, AQL sampling and stage inspections (IPC/DUPRO/PSI) enable problems to be detected at an early stage and protect cash flow.
If you are a buyer for small businesses and are looking for a sourcing company to support you in all your projects, here is a list of firms working in Hanoi that may be of interest to you.
Listed of experts Hanoi sourcing firms :
- VietSourcing
- MoveToAsia
- Sourcing Agent Vietnam
- FVSource
- Sourcing Notes
We evaluated Hanoi-capable Vietnam sourcing firms on verifiable capabilities, category expertise, compliance knowledge, responsiveness, case evidence, and client fit for small businesses.
When choosing, prioritize transparent service scope, documented QC (AQL/ISO2859-1) and audit processes, and realistic MOQ/lead-time guidance tied to northern port capacity (Hai Phong/Lạch Huyện).
Ask for sample timelines, inspection templates, and who actually visits factories.
Sourcing Company Profiles for Small Businesses
VietSourcing
This company operates in Vietnam, where it sources supplies from various industrial sectors across low-cost countries. It focuses primarily on outsourcing purchasing services, but also on procurement/purchasing and quality assurance.
VietSourcing provides numerous services such as supplier identification, purchasing office model, quality control, and ongoing supplier management.
The company’s flagship products are private label consumer goods, durable and non-durable goods, as well as the establishment of purchasing offices for multi-SKU programs.
This company may be the best for SMEs that need a dedicated team on the ground and governance for the process.
MoveToAsia
MTA is a consulting firm based in Vietnam that offers sourcing services and focuses on providing comprehensive support to foreign SMEs.
Its services include supplier research and selection, sample management, quality control/inspections, and export assistance.
The company’s main strengths are its comprehensive guides for novice buyers, available in English and French. These guides cover a wide range of sectors, including textiles, furniture, wooden decorations, and electronics.
MoveToAsia is the best company for novice importers looking for support throughout the sampling process and their first order.
Sourcing Agent Vietnam
Sourcing Agent Vietnam is a company of sourcing based in Vietnam, particularly in terms of textiles/garments and furniture.
It provides many services such as supplier search, due diligence, and factory visits, as well as assistance with sampling and inspection.
The company mainly focuses on straightforward buyer introductions and category depth in apparel/furniture; it also has an English support.
Stand out products of Sourcing Agent Vietnam are the apparel basics, soft furnishings and wood furniture sourcing.
This company is suitable for small buyers that need fast quotes and escorted factory visits.
FVSource
FVSource is a Vietnam-based sourcing and consulting firm that connects international companies with reliable manufacturers across Asia.
The company provides outsourcing and market entry services, helping clients with supplier identification, factory visits, due diligence, and end-to-end project execution.
With experience across steel, textiles, furniture, and other manufacturing sectors, FVSource supports businesses in building strong supply chains and managing production from start to finish.
It’s an ideal partner for medium and larger enterprises seeking trusted local expertise and on-the-ground execution in Vietnam.
Sourcing Notes
This company is an SME partner specializing in Vietnam.
Its main services are the search of suppliers, the quality-control management, the warehouse and consolidation but also the due-diligence checks.
The key strengths of Sourcing Notes is that it follows their customers from start to finish projects, in home goods, accessories and light industrial items.
It’s the best company for the first time importers that needs both QC and consolidation
Small Business Buyers, Are You Ready to Proceed ?
Hanoi’s manufacturing belt offers compelling options for SMEs across electronics, plastics, furniture and softlines, but success still hinges on factory due diligence and disciplined QA. The firms above cover a spectrum : from buying-office models to audit-heavy vendor development, so match the partner to your product complexity and timeline.
To choose your expert sourcing firms through this selection, you can ask for : 1. a supplier list with screening criteria, 2. a sampling and acceptance quality limit plan and 3. a production or inspection calendar.
Q&A : What should you know before starting ?
1) Do these firms have offices in Hanoi ?
Most sourcing companies are headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City; however, they maintain flexible connections and have partners and staff in Hanoi and the northern region to support you.
2) What QC standard should I request?
When working with Vietnamese suppliers, buyers should request quality control (QC) inspections based on Acceptable Quality Limits (AQL) aligned with the international ISO 2859-1 sampling standard. This is the globally recognized benchmark for statistical product sampling and ensures that inspections are carried out consistently and transparently. In addition to setting AQL levels, it is best practice to request staged inspections throughout the production process. These usually include Initial Production Checks (IPC), During Production Inspections (DUPRO), and Pre-Shipment Inspections (PSI). Following this staged approach helps detect defects early, avoid costly rework, and verify that the final shipment meets agreed specifications before leaving the factory.
3) How do lead times compare in the north vs. south?
Lead times vary depending on whether production takes place in northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong) or southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai). In the north, exports generally move through the Hai Phong and Lạch Huyện ports, which have benefited from capacity expansions and infrastructure improvements in recent years. However, because these ports are smaller than Cat Lai or Cai Mep–Thi Vai in the south, buyers may face schedule risks during seasonal peaks or congestion periods. In contrast, southern Vietnam, closer to many large industrial zones and better connected to global shipping routes, tends to offer shorter, more reliable lead times. That said, buyers sourcing from the north should plan for an additional buffer of several days in their logistics schedule to account for variability in vessel availability and customs processing.
4) What buyer profile fits these firms ?
Most Vietnam-based sourcing agents and QC firms are tailored to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) as well as first-time importers who need support with supplier identification, vetting, quality control, and shipment consolidation. These firms are particularly well suited for companies sourcing consumer goods such as apparel, furniture, or homeware, where volumes are moderate and suppliers may require closer coordination. For buyers dealing with complex engineered parts or highly technical categories, such as precision electronics or automotive components, it is advisable to verify whether the sourcing partner has dedicated technical staff (e.g., engineers or compliance specialists) and proven case experience in the same industry. Without this expertise, firms may struggle to manage product-specific standards or certifications, which are critical for regulated industries.
