How to Find Vietnam Bamboo Product Manufacturers
Bamboo, often hailed as the 'green gold' of the 21st century, holds a place of pride in Vietnam's rich tapestry of natural resources and artisanal heritage. This versatile and sustainable material has found its way into many products, from traditional crafts to modern lifestyle goods, making Vietnam a sought-after destination for sourcing high-quality bamboo products. However, navigating the thriving bamboo market in Vietnam can be as intricate as the patterns woven into its products, requiring both understanding and strategy.
This blog post is designed to be your comprehensive guide to finding the best bamboo goods in Vietnam. Whether you are a business looking to infuse sustainability into your product line, a retailer searching for unique bamboo items that resonate with eco-conscious consumers, or an interior designer seeking authentic, handcrafted decor, understanding the nuances of Vietnam's bamboo industry is key.
We will explore the vast landscape of bamboo products in Vietnam, from traditional handicrafts like baskets and furniture to innovative and eco-friendly items like utensils, home decor, and textiles. Our journey will take us through the regions known for their specialized bamboo crafts, the range of products available, and the unique qualities that make Vietnamese bamboo goods stand out in the global market.
Additionally, this post will provide practical advice on identifying reliable suppliers, ensuring product quality and sustainability, and navigating the logistics of sourcing and importing from Vietnam. We will also delve into the cultural and business practices integral to successful partnerships in this sector.
Join us as we delve into Vietnam's lush bamboo forests and skilled workshops. Each product is not just a commodity but a story of tradition, innovation, and environmental stewardship. Your journey to finding the finest bamboo goods in Vietnam starts here.
Bamboo goods during a factory tour in Vietnam. All photos in the post were taken by Cosmo Sourcing team members.
Overview of Vietnam’s Bamboo Manufacturing Industry
As participants in various trade agreements, including the CPTPP and the EVFTA, Vietnamese wood exporters have seized the opportunity to strengthen their footing in the international market. According to insiders, the hurdles are enormous, but the opportunities since the outbreak have pushed key purchasers in Europe, the United States, and Japan to seek beyond China.
The value of bamboo and rattan products exported from Vietnam increased by 44.4 percent in 2019. However, in 2019, the value only reached 474 million USD, less than half of the 2020 aim set ten years ago. Rattan and bamboo goods account for the largest value of non-timber forest products in the total export value of Vietnamese handicrafts.
Bamboo products from Vietnam are primarily shipped to EU nations, accounting for 31.44 percent of total exports and increasing by 35.36 percent yearly. The next market is the United States, which accounts for 19.5 percent of the market and has nearly doubled since 2018. Finally, the Japanese market accounted for 9.3% of the total and expanded by 10.8%.
The value of Vietnamese bamboo is outstanding, so let’s find out how to find promising bamboo suppliers in Vietnam and more information related to Bamboo export-import from Vietnam.
The export value of Vietnamese bamboo products increased in almost all markets last year. The value of exports to India, in particular, has increased by more than double, but they remain insignificant.
Vietnam currently boasts 723 bamboo processing villages and over 1,000 bamboo and rattan exporting firms, employing 342,000 people. Despite the vast number of families and exporting firms, Vietnam’s bamboo and rattan goods exports account for less than 3% of the global market. While global trade in rattan and bamboo goods is worth 14-15 billion dollars, Vietnam’s bamboo and rattan industries are sluggish, with hundreds of millions of dollars in exports.
According to a Vietnam handicraft exporting firm, the company manufactures and sells various hanging lamps, table lamps, storage boxes, and fruit baskets. However, they encounter significant problems with raw material quantity and quality. As a result, prices are steadily increasing.
Despite the benefits of cultivating and developing resources, Vietnam still needs to import these goods. According to the General Department of Forestry, Vietnam consumes almost 900 million bamboo trees yearly. Bamboo covers over 1.5 million hectares in Vietnam, with a reserve of approximately 6 billion trees.
What Bamboo Products Are Made In Vietnam?
With abundant resources, Vietnam produces many bamboo products showcasing traditional craftsmanship and modern design. The versatility of bamboo is reflected in the diverse array of products made from this sustainable material. Some of the key bamboo products made in Vietnam include:
Furniture: Including chairs, tables, bed frames, and shelves, bamboo furniture is known for its strength, lightweight nature, and eco-friendly appeal.
Home Decor: Items like bamboo vases, picture frames, decorative screens, and wall hangings.
Kitchenware: Bamboo makes various kitchen items, such as cutting boards, utensils, bowls, and trays.
Flooring: Bamboo flooring is famous for its durability, aesthetic appeal, and sustainability.
Textiles: Bamboo fiber produces soft, eco-friendly textiles for clothing, towels, and bedding.
Basketry: Traditional Vietnamese bamboo baskets, which come in various shapes and sizes, are used for storage, decoration, or as market baskets.
Garden Tools and Accessories include bamboo plant stakes, trellises, and fencing materials.
Musical Instruments: Traditional instruments, including flutes and string instruments, are often made from bamboo.
Handicrafts include artisanal crafts like bamboo sculptures, wind chimes, and traditional Vietnamese lacquered bamboo products.
Disposable Products: Such as bamboo plates, cutlery, and straws, which are eco-friendly alternatives to plastic.
Bamboo Charcoal is used for air purifying bags, deodorizers, cosmetics, and health products.
Bamboo Paper and Stationery: Including notebooks, paper, and pens made from bamboo pulp.
Bamboo Blinds and Curtains are used for window treatments, offering a natural, aesthetic, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional blinds.
Bamboo Lighting Fixtures: Including lampshades and pendant lights, which add a warm and natural touch to interior décor.
Bamboo Boats and Rafts: Traditional watercraft reflecting Vietnam’s rich riverine culture and history.
Bamboo Ladders: Both functional and decorative, used in homes and gardens.
Bamboo Toys and Games: Eco-friendly toys for children, including puzzles, building blocks, and traditional Vietnamese games.
Bamboo Fencing and Edging: Popular in gardening and landscaping for creating natural-looking borders and fences.
Bamboo Bathroom Accessories, Such as soap dishes, toothbrush holders, and shower mats, bring a spa-like, natural aesthetic to bathrooms.
Bamboo Sports Equipment: Including bamboo-made bicycles, longboards, and martial arts practice equipment.
Bamboo Servingware: Including salad bowls, serving platters, and utensil holders, adding a rustic charm to dining settings.
Eco-Friendly Bamboo Packaging: Sustainable packaging solutions for various products, reducing reliance on plastic and other non-biodegradable materials.
Vietnam’s expertise in bamboo craftsmanship is deeply rooted in its cultural heritage. This traditional skill has been adapted to produce both functional and decorative items that cater to modern, eco-conscious consumers worldwide.
Why Source Bamboo Products From Vietnam?
Vietnam stands out as a top destination for sourcing bamboo products. It combines skilled craftsmanship, economic advantages, and a commitment to sustainability. The country’s artisans are celebrated for mastering bamboo craftsmanship and creating aesthetically appealing, durable, high-quality products. This skillful workmanship, passed down through generations, ensures that each bamboo product, be it a basket, furniture, or a decorative item, showcases a blend of tradition and durability.
Economically, Vietnam offers a compelling proposition. The cost-effectiveness of its bamboo products, stemming from lower production costs, translates into favorable pricing for importers and retailers. Additionally, the abundant bamboo supply in Vietnam ensures steady availability and the capacity to fulfill large and diverse orders, making it a reliable source for businesses worldwide.
Environmental sustainability is another key aspect of Vietnam’s bamboo industry. Bamboo, known for its rapid growth and minimal ecological footprint, is sustainably harvested in Vietnam. Many manufacturers are increasingly adopting eco-friendly production methods, reducing chemical use and waste, and aligning with global environmental standards.
The Vietnamese market offers a wide variety of products, ranging from traditional to contemporary designs, catering to a spectrum of tastes and preferences. Manufacturers in Vietnam also offer customization, providing flexibility for businesses seeking unique designs or specific product specifications.
Furthermore, Vietnamese bamboo products have gained significant global recognition for their quality and design. The country’s dedication to upholding high manufacturing standards and adhering to international quality norms has enhanced its reputation in the international market, making Vietnamese bamboo products highly sought after globally.
In summary, Vietnam’s bamboo product industry offers a unique combination of traditional artisanship, economic efficiency, and a commitment to environmental sustainability, positioning it as an attractive and reliable sourcing destination in the global market.
Bamboo Forest Ownership in Vietnam
However, most of this bamboo land is a protected or primary forest, which must be preserved rather than exploited. The country’s bamboo production area is approximately 85,000 hectares, with a 350 million tree reserve. However, this amount is only enough to meet one-third of the demand for raw materials used to manufacture bamboo products.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) gave data on forest ownership in Vietnam. The primary distinction between private and public/state ownership is as follows:
41% of the company is privately held. Domestic households/entrepreneurs control more than 20%, major economic organizations control 12%, and residential communities control 8%.
The government owns 58.7% of the company. The Vietnamese government owns roughly two-thirds of the country’s forestry.
Ownership is as follows: management boards directly 20%, Communal People’s Committees 20%, unique forest management boards 15%, the Army 1.5%, Science and technology boards 1.5%, and foreign direct investments (FDIs) manage 0.1% (foreign enterprises).
According to the ministry’s estimations, loggers cut down over 26 million cubic meters of forest in 2019. As a result, manufacturers produced 13 million metric tons of wood chips. The bulk was on the export market, destined for paper manufacturing in the United States, China, and Japan. Rubber and acacia were preferred for furnishings. However, domestic supply is limited to 2 million cubic meters each year. This is why Vietnamese furniture manufacturers import millions of cubic meters of goods.
Bamboo Manufacturing In Vietnam
Chip bamboo, bamboo shoots, and culms for paper have been exchanged for a long time. In the past, due to weak roads, the river primarily transported bamboo. With improved highways, bamboo is transported by truck rather than water, but both methods are still used.
The chip-bamboo and culms trade in Vietnam
The research area mostly uses Nua for paper, cardboard, and packing material. Local construction, handicrafts, basket making, and woven mats account for less than 30% of total production. Bac Kan has four paper and packaging companies. However, farmers and paper firms do not have a structured trade network.
Representatives from the paper firms walkabout buying culms, loading trucks, and transferring them to the factory.
Bamboo Shoots Trade In Vietnam
During the wet season, Nua bamboo shoots are in high demand. Farmers collect and sell them to traveling merchants who sell the shoots in city markets. Before selling the shoots, village collectors must boil and dry them. The market for bamboo shoots in Europe has grown steadily during the past ten years. (July 2000, Alter)
Bamboo Handicrafts in Vietnam
In the 1990s, bamboo exports (mostly handicrafts) fluctuated dramatically (Table 8). The value of exports ranged from US$ 36 million in 1990 to US$ 12.6 million in 2010. (1995). The most popular destinations are Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United States, and the European Union. The Ministry of Trade has set a target of UD$ 310 million in annual handicraft exports (including bamboo and rattan goods), potentially making handicrafts one of Vietnam’s top ten exports. This year, the European Community will likely be a significant market for Vietnamese handicrafts, with exporters earning more than $90 million.
What Brands Source Bamboo Products From Vietnam?
Several international brands and retailers source bamboo products from Vietnam, using the country’s expertise in bamboo craftsmanship and sustainable practices. While many of these collaborations might not be publicly disclosed in detail due to business confidentiality, some known instances and types of brands include:
IKEA: The Swedish home furnishings giant is known for sourcing various products, including those made from bamboo, from different countries, with Vietnam being one of its sourcing destinations.
West Elm: A part of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., West Elm is known for its modern and sustainable furniture. It sources some bamboo-based products from Vietnam.
Bamboo Village: An Australian company specializing in eco-friendly products, Bamboo Village sources a range of bamboo products, including clothing, bedding, and bathware, potentially including items from Vietnam.
The Body Shop: Known for its eco-friendly beauty products, It sources bamboo combs and other accessories from various countries, possibly including Vietnam.
Eco-Friendly Brands: Numerous small to medium eco-friendly brands, particularly those focusing on sustainable home goods and personal care products, source bamboo items like utensils, straws, and toothbrushes from Vietnam.
Boutique and Specialty Retailers: Various boutique and specialty retailers worldwide, known for offering unique and artisanal products, source handcrafted bamboo items from Vietnam.
Private Labels and B2B Companies: Many private label brands and business-to-business (B2B) companies source bamboo products from Vietnam for their durability, aesthetics, and sustainability.
Online Marketplaces: Sellers on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay often source bamboo products from Vietnam due to the quality and craftsmanship available there.
These collaborations indicate Vietnam’s growing significance as a source of high-quality, sustainable bamboo products. The country’s manufacturing landscape is characterized by a blend of traditional techniques and modern, eco-conscious production practices, making it an attractive destination for brands focusing on sustainability and craftsmanship.
List of top Bamboo Manufacturers/Suppliers in Vietnam
The bamboo business differs from the wood processing or timber manufacturing industries in a few ways. Bamboo product makers, for example, are more likely to produce small-scale items in unique shapes or designs.
The designs are based on the individual client’s needs at some stage. The following is a list of some of Vietnam’s most well-known bamboo product manufacturers and suppliers:
Oceans Republic
Oceans Republic specializes in customized bamboo products. With vast experience in the bamboo industry, Oceans Republic has what it takes to be your one-stop shop for all things bamboo. The factory is located in Hanoi, near the bamboo forest in northern Vietnam. Over the years, the Oceans Republic Bamboo factory has garnered countless customers’ and international brands’ trust and loyalty. Their eco-friendly panels and natural bamboo products are built with quality raw materials and the latest technologies to meet the highest industry standards. The Oceans Republic manufactures eco-friendly & sustainable bamboo products such as kitchenware, tableware, and hotel amenity products for the hospitality industry. Oceans Republic is the perfect supplier for you if you’re looking for high-quality bamboo products.
Bamboo Mamboo
Bamboo Mamboo is one of the world’s largest suppliers of bamboo and other related products. In addition, the provider creates custom designs based on client requests, such as bamboo items like drinking straws. The company takes pride in using environmentally friendly materials. They also utilize less plastic in most finished or assembled items, favoring bamboo, especially for the global market.
The supplier is based in Vung Tau, Vietnam, and obtains raw materials from nearby rural areas. The supplier maintains a positive working connection with local farmers by providing financial assistance and career opportunities to help them improve their living conditions.
Pefso Company
Pefso is a leading handicrafts supplier and producer in Vietnam, with a reputation for handicrafts exports. In addition, Pefso is known for developing antique handicrafts employing bamboo goods and similar materials, such as seagrass.
Pefso is distinguished by its uncompromising devotion to quality, particularly during manufacturing. The corporation spent a lot of money on its quality assurance and quality control department, which has complex quality standards and has helped shape its products’ market quality.
Pefso gets most of its raw materials, such as rattan and bamboo, from local farmers. The organization uses complex technologies and machinery to maintain a super high-quality level. As a result, Pefso, created in 2009, has amassed a significant clientele in nearly 20 countries worldwide.
Bamboo master
Bamboo Master is a multinational corporation run by an American ex-pat and investor in Vietnam. The proprietor founded this company after leaving his furniture business in New York City and relocating to Vietnam.
Bamboo Master claims to be the market’s leading maker of bamboo products, employing the highest quality bamboo available.
The company has a strong quality control management and supply system, quickly building a vast client base. Due to its unrivaled quality control standards, billions of bamboo product categories have been imported into the United States. After studying in Japan and establishing his business in Vietnam, Mr. James, the CEO of this supply firm, worked hard to become a master wood furniture maker. Bamboo Master accepts special orders for bamboo-related items.
Eco Bamboo Vietnam
Eco Bamboo Vietnam is another leading bamboo production company in Vietnam, striving to outperform other bamboo suppliers and manufacturers. They mainly sell green products and environmentally friendly items such as bamboo and other natural wood supplied in Vietnam. The brand distinguishes itself by handcrafting all of its products by famous artisans. As a result, their final goods are all environmentally friendly and beneficial to the environment.
Oriental Home
Oriental Home is another well-known bamboo gift company headquartered in Vietnam. The company creates custom-designed handcrafts using environmentally friendly materials, which it ships worldwide, mainly to Australia and the Netherlands.
The supplier uses bamboo to make trays, pots, vases, frames, boxes, and other goods. The company also goes above and beyond to supply high-end clientele with premium products, such as custom-designed and handcrafted bamboo. Tableware, decorations, jewelry, and other products made of wool, silk, coconut, and other materials are also available.
Final Thoughts // Vietnam Bamboo Products
Bamboo has a bright future in Vietnam because of the abundance of bamboo forests in almost every country. Likewise, the number of bamboo industries in Vietnam has doubled, indicating that the government will continue to produce bamboo products daily for export.
Even though policymakers must embrace a few strategic development goals, the country will benefit significantly from this promising industry. The global consumer market for bamboo products is constantly growing, not just in the United States but also in Japan and other emerging economies.
Vietnam may combine many more elements with bamboo, such as wood, to create more marketable items. Furthermore, bamboo grows quickly and with little initial investment, and because consumers pay a premium for bamboo items (almost 10% to 20% more than timber), it is undoubtedly a future industry.
Cosmo Sourcing // Your Trusted Partner In Vietnam
If you want to source from Vietnam, contact the Cosmo Sourcing team; we have been helping clients source from Vietnam since 2014. Cosmo Sourcing has the skills and the team to find you the best supplier possible. We are also established in China and are among the only companies that can find suppliers in China and Vietnam and pick the one you think is best.
Our Vietnam Sourcing services allow you to access new manufacturers that you would not be able to in China and avoid Tariffs. Our services are designed to do everything to take your idea, turn it into a product, and ship it to the final destination. Cosmo can do everything from creating a product spec sheet to validating, sourcing, ordering, evaluating samples, arranging inspections, finding freight forwarders, quality assurance, negotiations, and shipping. We aim to handle every single step of your business in Vietnam for you.
If you start a new business, finding products and suppliers for your products is one of many things you need to handle. Our services are designed to handle every part of your business in China and Vietnam so you can focus on the rest of growing your own business.
We have helped clients from Fortune 500 companies, brick-and-mortar stores, FBA sellers, and brand-new businesses. So don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help you.