US retailer Walmart seeks more Vietnamese suppliers

The retailer will participate in the Vietnam International Sourcing Expo 2026, scheduled for September 3-5 in Ho Chi Minh City.

The event, jointly organized by the ministry and the Ho Chi Minh City administration, is meant to connect international buyers with Vietnamese suppliers and help develop the country's supply chain.

Walmart told the ministry during preparations for the event that it is seeking local suppliers in six product categories: apparel and accessories, footwear, textiles and textile accessories, home electronics, furniture, and food and consumer goods.

As part of its global sourcing diversification strategy, the retailer plans to supply these products through its network of more than 10,900 stores and clubs across 19 countries, serving approximately 280 million customers and members each week through physical stores and e-commerce platforms.

These are among Vietnam's key manufacturing and export sectors, with many domestic companies already experienced in supplying international markets.

However, businesses hoping to join Walmart's supply chain must demonstrate stable production capacity, consistent product quality, competitive pricing, and the ability to fulfill large-volume orders.

In the fiscal year that ended on January 31, 2026, Walmart generated over US$713 billion in revenue and employed about 2.1 million people worldwide.

The retailer's extensive distribution network, large-scale procurement capacity, and omnichannel retail ecosystem could give Vietnamese products access not only to individual export markets but also to one of the world's largest retail networks.

However, the ministry noted that Walmart's scale also comes with stringent supplier requirements.

Companies must ensure sufficient production capacity, reliable delivery schedules, and effective raw material and logistics management while meeting standards for product traceability, social responsibility, labor conditions, and environmental protection.

Vietnam has been part of Walmart's global sourcing network since 2013.

The retailer established a representative office in the country that year, with a team responsible for identifying suppliers, developing sourcing partnerships, and coordinating procurement for its international distribution network.

Since then, Walmart has participated in multiple editions of the Vietnam International Sourcing Expo, meeting directly with Vietnamese businesses, evaluating products, and assessing manufacturers' production capabilities.

Walmart's continued participation in the event underscores its commitment to building long-term sourcing relationships and strategic partnerships with Vietnamese suppliers, rather than simply placing one-off orders.

To improve their chances of securing business with Walmart and other international buyers, the ministry advised Vietnamese companies to prepare English-language company profiles, product catalogs and samples, quality certifications, and information on production capacity, delivery schedules, pricing policies, and export experience.

Companies should also provide documentation demonstrating their commitments to environmental protection and sustainable development.