Compare lash manufacturing countries: China vs Vietnam

Compare lash manufacturing pros and cons in China and Vietnam. Determine which country suits your next bulk lash order.

China and Vietnam are the two most well-known manufacturing centers in the eyelash extension industry. When deciding on a wholesale lash provider, is China or Vietnam the best choice for your business demand and preferences? Let’s clarify the similarities and differences between these two Asian countries.

To make an informed decision, it’s essential to compare lash manufacturing countries: China vs Vietnam. This comparison will help determine which manufacturing country is preferred for your bulk lash production, considering factors such as quality, cost, and production capabilities.

An overview of bulk lash manufacturing in Vietnam and China

China and Vietnam are two leading global manufacturing centers for eyelash extensions. Below is some brief information on bulk lash manufacturing in these two countries.

• China is the global market dominant: China began lash manufacturing earlier than Vietnam, around the late 20th century. Then, it quickly became market-dominant in beauty products and lash extensions. This country started replicating existing designs for domestic orders, then peaked between the 2000s and early 2010s. Nowadays, China is the trusted lash exporter to various foreign countries.
• Vietnam is a latecomer in lashes: Vietnam started producing lashes later than China, around the late 2000s to early 2010s, then rapidly grew from the 2010s to the present. Vietnamese manufacturers focus on high-grade products and strict quality control. Till now, Vietnam has been highly praised as an ideal alternative to China and a promising market leader in lash extensions in the Asian region.

An overview of bulk lash manufacturing in Vietnam and China

Vietnam and China have become trusted lash exporters to many clients, including lash brands, beauty centers, and professionals. While Vietnam is a latecomer, it is striving hard to become an alternative to China, thanks to its meticulous craftsmanship and high affordability.

Compare lash manufacturing between China and Vietnam

An updated, thoughtful understanding of the characteristics of lash manufacturers in China and Vietnam helps you determine a manufacturing center for your business circumstances. In this section, we will share the similarities and differences between eyelash making between these two countries.

Similarities of bulk lash manufacturing in Vietnam and China

Vietnam and China are two major producers and exporters of eyelash extensions in Asia. Lash manufacturers in these countries share some similarities in lash production:

• Diverse product segments: Eyelash factory plants in China and Vietnam have extensive product segments regarding prices, styles, materials, lengths, curls, and thicknesses. Factories in these two countries offer natural lashes (like mink lashes) and synthetic lashes.
• Quickly adapt to new trends: Lash manufacturers in Vietnam and China are often active on social media. They also participate actively in industry events, trade shows, and market research. These wholesale suppliers can quickly adopt new trends in fashion and beauty and then apply them to production to offer new lash options. This quick trend adoption can fulfill the growing demands of the global market.
• Affordable product prices and costs: The eyelash prices and production costs in China and Vietnam are relatively lower than in developed countries such as the United States, Canada, or Italy. These Asian factories also offer flexible pricing policies to their wholesale clients. Some reasons for this high affordability include low labor costs, high technology advancements, flexible tariffs and trade policies, and expansive infrastructure for bulk goods production.
• Customization and private labeling: Lash wholesalers in these countries can offer customization and private label lashes services, allowing you to build your branded lashes without too many upfront costs and inventory. However, there might be some differences in the outcomes depending on wholesalers. For example, the product packaging of a Chinese factory might be different in design or material from that of a Vietnamese factory.

Similarities of bulk lash manufacturing in Vietnam and China

China and Vietnam are ideal destinations for clients who want to broaden their lash brand or create branded extensions without too many operational costs. Yet, there might be some differences in product appearance and quality, depending on your requirements and the available facility in your partnered factory. Please directly contact the factory to confirm its suitability with your business demands.

Differences in lash production between China and Vietnam

Understanding key differences in lash production between China and Vietnam helps you have a wiser manufacturer choice, thus saving you time and effort to attract new customers and foster your brand identity or other business goals in this competitive industry. There are some differences in eyelash production between these two countries as follows:

Lash extension variety

Lash variety is the first difference between wholesale factories in these countries. So, which manufacturing country can offer more lash choices for your business in China or Vietnam?

• Lash materials: Most Chinese lash factories can provide a broader range of materials, from PBT and PET to silk and mink. In contrast, Vietnamese factories centralize high-grade, cruelty-free materials like synthetic fibers (PBT). Due to ethical concerns, there might be more advancements in synthetic lash materials, yet fewer mink options in a Vietnamese eyelash factory.
• Lash styles: Chinese eyelash factories specialize in pre-made fans with a square base, including long-stem and short-stem fans. These lashes are more convenient for busy lash artists and have a stronger bond. Yet, they require more glue for application and seem heavier. Vietnamese focus on basic options, including narrow, wide, and super narrow lashes with a pointy base. While this lash design minimizes adhesive and feels lighter, it requires precise application to secure the lashes properly.

Lash extension variety

Chinese lash factories have more experience and infrastructure in lash production, leading to a wider variety and advancement in lash choices. However, Vietnamese ones are actively learning from their rivals, focusing on light, natural lashes with sustainability in mind.

Eyelash extension product quality

Eyelash product quality is another critical aspect when choosing between a China and a Vietnam lash vendor. The differences in lash quality lie in material sourcing, quality control, and durability.

• Material sourcing: Lashes from a Chinese lash manufacturer can come in various materials. Yet, they might have low quality due to cost optimizations and wide gaps in suppliers’ reputations. On the other hand, Vietnamese factories can focus more on high-grade materials, especially synthetics. Yet, they still have to rely on Chinese partners for raw materials and components. This high material dependence might pose a higher risk of supply chain breakage and increased costs due to tariffs or trade barriers.
• Quality control: Some lash wholesale manufacturers in China have inconsistent quality control due to large-scale production and cost optimizations. In contrast, emerging Vietnamese factories focus more on high-quality lash production, thus balancing better between costs and quality.
• Durability: The durability of lashes made in China is varied. Lashes of high-quality materials might be durable but come with high MOQs and unit prices. Yet, you can trust Vietnamese lashes since most are made of high-grade materials with better lifetime usage.

Eyelash extension product quality

While Chinese factories mainly optimize production costs and time with inconsistent quality control, Vietnamese ones are widely known for meticulous craftsmanship and better durability in their lashes. You should thoroughly research your chosen factory’s product quality and durability and decide the ratio between these two factors.

Lash extension product price and bulk order costs

Pricing is another important factor you should not neglect when comparing China vs. Vietnam lash manufacturing countries. When talking about pricing, we should mention product prices, MOQs, shipping costs, and other costs.

• Product price: Product prices in most Vietnamese manufacturing plants are higher than in Chinese. This price gap results from modern infrastructure, experience in lash manufacturing, and easy access to raw materials and components in Chinese factories. However, the product price in Vietnamese factories is becoming more affordable for the mass market, thanks to the development of production facilities in Vietnamese factories.
• MOQs: The MOQs in most Chinese lash factories are higher, from 500-5000 trays, due to their modern infrastructures. Conversely, this quantity range in Vietnamese factories is much lower, from 10 to 1000 trays, depending on the factory and lash type. Thus, Vietnam is preferred for new brands or small businesses without enormous upfront costs.
• Shipping costs: Shipping costs for orders from Vietnam eyelash manufacturer is lower than those in China. Vietnam has a long beach line with more flight routes to foreign countries, allowing bulk eyelash extensions orders to be delivered faster and more conveniently.
• Other costs: Eyelash production costs in Vietnam are slightly higher than in China. These cost differences result from the developing infrastructure, the lack of experience in lash extension production, narrow industry networks, and the limited accessibility to raw materials and components in Vietnamese lash factories.

Lash extension product price and bulk order costs

Eyelash extensions wholesale China has more advantages regarding product prices and bulk order costs than Vietnam. These cost gaps result from the skills and experience of the workforce in this country, the modern infrastructure, and technological advancements in bulk lash production, especially automation. However, Vietnam is still preferred for small businesses and startups, thanks to the affordable MOQs and shipping costs.

Communication and client support

Communication plays a crucial role in lash production partnerships. Let’s explore how Chinese and Vietnamese lash workers differ in communication with their foreign clients.

• Language barrier: The primary language in China is Mandarin, creating more barriers to communication with foreign clients. Conversely, Vietnam lash workers are more flexible in communication languages. They can communicate in English, Chinese, or other foreign languages. These workers are more open in direct communication, especially with Western brands.
• Communication tools: Chinese lash workers have established industry experience with foreign clients. Thus, they have a broader range of communication tools with their clients via email and messaging applications (WhatsApp, WeChat). Due to a lack of experience in this field, Vietnamese people can only use core tools, like email and messaging applications like Zalo or WhatsApp.
• Client support quality: Chinese client support teams have vast experience handling multiple inquiries on various support channels simultaneously. They have clear support procedures for order updates and quality control issues. On the other hand, Vietnamese support teams have a personalized approach to small orders, with clearer communication with their clients, especially in English. They provide more flexibility for wholesale clients of all sizes. However, they have fewer support options than the Chinese ones, especially real-time support.

Communication and client support

Chinese lash factories have clear procedures to handle a massive amount of support requests on various communication channels. In contrast, Vietnamese ones provide a flexible and personalized experience in client support via some basic communication channels. Vietnamese have more potential to broaden their reach to more foreign clients, provided they can structure a solid, multi-channel client support system.

Which is better for bulk lash production – Vietnam or China

After comparing the similarities and differences in bulk lash production between Vietnam and China, you might want to know the best option for your business situation. Choosing a manufacturing country for your bulk lash orders is easy, provided that you have cleared the following information:

• Business cycle or business size: Vietnam is preferred for new businesses with limited experience in lash production or small businesses/startups with limited operation costs. Vietnamese factories can provide these businesses with lower MOQs and a personalized touch to lash production service, especially private labeling and customization options.
• Pricing and production costs: Chinese lash manufacturers might offer lower product prices but lack consistency in product quality. Vietnamese ones might serve you better if your business aims for premium or high-quality lash extensions. Their eyelashes are slightly pricey but come with higher quality and better consistency.
• Product variety: Chinese lash manufacturers should be the first-in-mind for large-scale distribution, thanks to their vast lash choice. Vietnamese seem more limited because they focus more on classic decisions, allowing them to cater to customization or private-labeling requests.
• Business ethicality: Vietnam is better than China in terms of ethicality in lash production. A Vietnamese lash factory promises to deliver high-quality synthetics with ethical sourcing and no tests on animals. Hence, lashes that are made in Vietnam are favored by younger generations, especially Gen Z and Alpha.

>> See more:

• Compare lash manufacturing countries: Korea  vs Vietnam
• Compare lash manufacturing countries: Japan vs Vietnam

After considering your business situation based on your business size and cycle, pricing and production costs, variety, and ethicality, you can decide whether to narrow your choices to China or Vietnam. This filter saves a lot of time and effort in wholesale partner choice, thus letting you focus more on improving your lash quality and service to serve your customers better.

Conclusion

China and Vietnam are two emerging manufacturing countries in the global lash market. While China is still a market leader, Vietnam is a young candidate with a personalized approach to wholesale clients, sustainability, and a solid concentration on product quality. Thus, Vietnam has a lot of advantages over its predecessor. The best lash factory for your bulk order is the one that fits your business situation, whether in China or Vietnam.