Vietnam is quickly becoming a key destination for drink wholesalers worldwide, as consumers demand natural ingredients, low-sugar beverages, and transparent sourcing. Post-2025, global distributors are looking for reliable, flexible suppliers with international certifications, and Vietnam stands out as one of the most promising markets.
Yet, every opportunity brings its challenges. First-time drink importers often face issues with supplier selection, payment processes, and quality control. This guide will show you how to build successful, trustworthy partnerships with Vietnamese drink suppliers, and make the most of this fast-growing market
Table of Contents
Why Vietnam is a top choice for drink wholesalers
1. Abundant and sustainable raw materials
Some key Vietnamese fruits for fresh export and beverage products
Vietnam is a tropical fruit haven, boasting over 1.2 million hectares of fruit plantations and more than 14 key export fruits. The country’s strong focus on sustainable agriculture, ensures year-round availability of high-quality raw materials. By 2026, these practices will align with mandatory standards in major markets like Europe and the U.S., making Vietnam a strategic sourcing hub.
2. Significant cost savings
Vietnam offers production costs that are 30–40% lower than those in Thailand or China. With affordable labor, land, and raw materials, Vietnamese suppliers can produce large volumes, up to dozens of containers per month, at competitive prices. This allows drink wholesalers to offer better deals to their customers while maintaining healthy profit margins.
Additionally, Vietnam’s increasing adoption of international production standards such as HACCP, ISO 22000, and FDA certifications ensures quality without inflating costs.
3. Flexibility for OEM an Private label orders
Vietnamese drink manufacturers excel in customizing products to meet specific requirements, including formulations, flavors, packaging designs, and order volumes. Whether you’re testing small trial orders or fulfilling large-scale imports, Vietnamese suppliers can adapt to your needs.
4. Advanced logistics infrastructure
Loading and unloading import and export goods at Gemalink International Port, HCMC. Photo: VNA
Vietnam has heavily invested in ports, cold storage facilities, and domestic transportation networks. Key agricultural regions like the Mekong Delta, Central Highlands, and Southeast Vietnam offer direct export routes to Singapore, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. This infrastructure minimizes risks of shipping delays, reduces logistics costs, and ensures consistent delivery schedules for retail customers.
4 Common mistakes drink wholesalers must avoid
While Vietnam offers immense potential, navigating its supplier landscape requires careful planning. Below are four common mistakes drink wholesalers make, along with tips to ensure success.
1. Not thoroughly vetting suppliers
Many wholesalers rush to partner with suppliers offering the lowest prices without conducting proper due diligence on licenses, facilities, or certifications.
Risks:
- Substandard product quality
- Delayed shipments
- Non-compliance with import regulations
Tips:
- Compare at least 2–3 beverage manufacturers for similar product lines.
- Request essential certifications such as HACCP, ISO 22000, and FDA approval.
- Ask for factory photos/videos and references from previous clients.
- If possible, visit the factory or hire a third-party auditor before signing contracts.
2. Overlooking payment security
Some wholesalers pay the full amount upfront without securing guarantees or clear contractual terms.
Risks:
- Difficulty obtaining refunds for delayed or defective orders
- Financial loss if agreements are not honored
Tips:
- Use secure payment methods like Letters of Credit or bank-controlled transactions.
- Break payments into milestones (e.g., 30% upfront and 70% upon shipment).
- Clearly outline refund policies and penalties in contracts.
3. Skipping quality control via samples
Placing large orders without testing product samples can lead to discrepancies in taste, color, or sweetness.
Risks:
- Products not meeting customer expectations
- Potential loss of market reputation
Tips:
- Always request product samples and a Certificate of Analysis (COA) before placing large orders.
- Conduct internal quality checks on samples to ensure consistency with your requirements.
- Ask for mockup packaging to verify printing quality and materials.
4. Ignoring emerging consumer trends
The beverage industry is rapidly shifting towards natural juices, low-sugar drinks, functional beverages (e.g., collagen-infused drinks), and products made from “clean” ingredients.
Risks:
- Missing out on high-growth segments
- Offering outdated products that fail to attract modern consumers
Tips:
- Partner with manufacturers that have strong R&D capabilities to innovate new flavors such as guava-mint, pineapple-coconut, or collagen-aloe drinks.
- Stay updated on consumer preferences in your target markets and adjust your product portfolio accordingly
How Interfresh supports global drink wholesalers
Interfresh is a trusted partner for hundreds of drink wholesalers across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. With a focus on quality, speed, and flexibility, Interfresh helps our partners achieve sustainable growth in the competitive beverage industry:
- Superior quality from farm to product: Interfresh sources tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapples, passion fruit, coconuts, dragon fruit, and sugarcane directly from Vietnam’s best agricultural regions, traceable origins and adherence to HACCP and ISO 22000 standards.
- Fast Turnaround Times: While other suppliers typically take 3–4 months to complete an OEM order, Interfresh accelerates the process by up to 2.5 times faster. We developed a streamlined and professional workflow, from concept development, design, and R&D to sampling and final product delivery.
- Comprehensive OEM/Private Label Solutions: Interfresh provides a one-stop solution for global drink wholesalers. Our flexible production model also allows partners to combine multiple flavors or packaging types in a single container, making it easier to test consumer response and expand your product portfolio with minimal risk.
Conclusion
The beverage market is undergoing a transformation as consumers increasingly prioritize natural, sustainable products with transparent sourcing. Vietnam stands out as a leading supplier of high-quality ingredients and beverages – offering drink wholesalers a golden opportunity to expand their portfolios while maximizing profitability.
By avoiding common pitfalls and partnering with reliable suppliers like Interfresh, wholesalers can turn these opportunities into tangible business success. Whether you’re looking for fresh fruit juices, innovative functional drinks, or flexible OEM solutions, Vietnam has everything you need to thrive in the global beverage industry.
Download our catalog, request product samples, or contact the Interfresh team today to explore partnership opportunities with one of Vietnam’s leading beverage manufacturers!
FAQ
- Where can I buy drinks in bulk?
You can buy drinks in bulk directly from certified Vietnamese beverage manufacturers like Interfresh or some drink manufacturers. They offer OEM/private label options, competitive prices, and export-ready products with HACCP and ISO certifications.
- How to become a beverage distributor
To become a beverage distributor, choose a reliable supplier, register your business and licenses, test product samples, and build retail or online sales channels to distribute beverages in your target market
- How long does it take to fulfill an OEM beverage order with Interfresh?
Your orders can be ready to ship within 30–45 days
- How can I request product samples or a catalog from Interfresh?
You can easily download our catalog, request samples, or contact our sales team directly via the Interfresh website to explore partnership opportunities.
References
Government News (2022). Vietnam Is More Attractive Than Asian-4. Retrieved from: https://en.baochinhphu.vn/viet-nam-is-more-attractive-than-asean-4-111220720115558116.htm
Vietnamnews (2022).Vn Targets $5 Billion In Fruit Export Turnover By 2025. Retrieved from: https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1352262/vn-targets-5-billion-in-fruit-export-turnover-by-2025.html
Vietnamplus (2024). Vietnam Promotes Organic Agriculture In Line With New Eu Regulations. Retrieved from: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-promotes-organic-agriculture-in-line-with-new-eu-regulations-post307193