Expatriate Forums in Vietnam

Dear all,

I have a business where I export handicraft by the container load previously from India but now mainly from Indonesia to the UK for sale in my shop in North Wales. I mainly buy from individuals or small co-operatives who are off the beaten track and so the quality of the crafts is good and the ability to develop relationships over the years is possible and rewarding for both.

I have recently returned from a trade fair where I found that hand crafted items from Vietnam were very good quality. I am now interested in visiting in order to see for myself, but I don't know where to begin!

In Indonesia there is quite a lot of English spoken and so getting started was pretty easy there. Now I am pretty proficient in their language, however I think Vietnamese may be pretty difficult! Would it be easy to find an interpreter to begin with?

Would anyone know which areas I should be looking (I would mainly be interested in wooden carvings / bamboo but may diversify) and how to find suppliers I could trust and develop new products and relationships with?

Any information on getting a foot in the door would be gratefully received.

Regards,
James

There are villages, mostly in the North, doing such. You can check out this one Vietnam Handicraft Promotion and Research Center it's a non-profit organization http://hrpc.com.vn/index.php?option=com ... &Itemid=45

Dear Sirs,

Have you found anyone can help you in dealing with factories?I will take this job.

Please contact me lethingocthem@gmail.com

Thanks

Ngoc Them