Generalizes on the best strategy to enter the market, e.g., visiting the country; importance of relationships to finding a good partner; use of agents.
Last Published: 7/10/2018

Vietnam is not a market for inexperienced exporters or firms that do not have a well-established export department or business development unit. U.S. companies preparing to enter the Vietnamese market must plan strategically and be persistent and consistent with face-to-face follow-up. It can take up to one or two years to make a successful sale into this market. Building relationships is important. Depending on the sector, U.S. companies entering the Vietnamese market may need to consider two marketing efforts; one for targeting the northern part of the country, which has a higher concentration of government ministries and regulatory agencies, and one for the south, which is the dominant industry hub. The two markets also differ in terms of consumer behavior and preferences.

To enter or expand in Vietnam, U.S. businesses may do so indirectly through the appointment of an agent or distributor. U.S. companies new to Vietnam should conduct sufficient due diligence on potential local agents/distributors to ensure they possess the requisite permits, facilities, workforce, and capital. Firms seeking a direct presence in Vietnam should establish a commercial operation utilizing the following options: first, a representative office license; second, a branch license; and lastly, a foreign investment project license under Vietnam's revised Foreign Investment Law.

U.S. companies doing business in transportation, telecommunications, energy, environmental/water, civil aviation, financial services, and other infrastructure sectors are advised to develop core strategies and capabilities for bidding on ODA (World Bank, Asian Development Bank, USAID) projects. Vietnam deployed about $5.6 billion in ODA disbursement in 2014, increasing nine percent year-on-year. Sectors prioritized for ODA funding are primarily in infrastructure construction and modernization and human resource development.

 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.