For years, "sourcing from Asia" often meant sourcing from China. Today many importers spread their supply base across several countries — a strategy often called China + 1 — to manage risk, tariffs and lead times. Thailand and Vietnam are two of the most common alternatives. Each country has real strengths; the right choice depends on your product, not on a general ranking.
Where each country is typically strongest
- Thailand — processed food and beverages, canned seafood, rice, fruit and coconut products, cosmetics and personal care (including OEM/ODM), herbal and wellness products, pet food, and a mature automotive and parts industry. Thai brands also carry strong recognition in Southeast Asia.
- Vietnam — garments and footwear, furniture and wood products, coffee, cashews and seafood, and a fast-growing electronics assembly sector.
- China — unmatched breadth and scale across almost every manufactured category, deep component supply chains, and very fast prototyping and tooling.
These are general patterns. Individual factories in every country may be stronger or weaker than the national picture, so always evaluate the specific supplier.
Trade agreements and tariffs
All three countries are members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and Thailand and Vietnam are part of the ASEAN free-trade area. Bilateral agreements differ: for example, Vietnam has a free-trade agreement with the EU, while Thailand and the EU have been negotiating one in recent years. Tariffs and trade measures change, so check current duty rates and rules of origin for your exact product code (HS code) with a customs broker before you decide.
Cost is more than the unit price
- Landed cost — freight, duties, insurance and local charges can change the ranking between suppliers.
- Minimum quantities — these vary widely between factories and affect your cash tied up in stock.
- Quality and rework — a lower price can be offset by rejects or delays.
- Certifications — food, cosmetics and supplements often need specific certificates (HACCP, GMP, Halal and others) that not every factory holds.
Logistics
Thailand ships mainly through Laem Chabang and Bangkok ports, Vietnam through the Ho Chi Minh City / Cai Mep and Hai Phong areas, and China through a large number of major ports. Transit times and freight rates depend on the route, so compare quotations on the same Incoterm — our FOB vs CIF primer explains how.
A simple way to decide
- Define the product specification, certifications and target landed cost.
- Request quotations from two or three suppliers in more than one country.
- Compare samples, documents and communication, not only price.
- Start with a trial order and a pre-shipment inspection.
Explore Thai suppliers
THAIMOST focuses on Thailand. Browse Thai wholesale products and the supplier directory, or post a free RFQ to compare quotations from Thai suppliers alongside your existing sources.