I placed orders with both Vietnamese and Chinese factories in Q1 2026. Same product category — upholstered dining chairs, mid-range quality, 500-unit MOQ. Here is what the numbers actually looked like.
Unit Price Comparison
For a standard fabric dining chair with solid rubber wood frame:
- China (Foshan): $38-42 FOB
- Vietnam (Binh Duong): $41-46 FOB
Vietnam was about 8-12% higher on unit cost. But that is not the full picture.
Where Vietnam Wins
Tariff advantage for US-bound orders. With current Section 301 tariffs still at 25% on Chinese furniture, Vietnam-origin goods enter at standard MFN rates (usually 0-3.5% for wooden furniture). On a $40 chair, that is $10 saved per unit in duties.
So the landed cost flips: China at $50+ per unit vs Vietnam at $43-48 per unit for US importers.
Lead time is comparable now. Vietnamese factories used to be 2-3 weeks slower. In 2026, most established factories in Binh Duong and Dong Nai deliver in 45-55 days, matching Guangdong timelines.
Where China Still Wins
Complex designs and customization. Chinese factories handle intricate designs faster. Their engineering teams are larger and more experienced with custom specs. A curved-back chair with metal inlay? China gets it right on the first sample. Vietnam might need 2-3 rounds.
Material variety. Need a specific Italian leather or Japanese hardware? Chinese supply chains have everything within a 50km radius of the factory. Vietnamese factories often import materials from China anyway, adding 2 weeks and 5-8% to material costs.
Scale. For orders above 2,000 units, Chinese factories still offer better pricing breaks. Their capacity is simply larger.
My Recommendation for 2026
Split your sourcing. Standard items with high volume going to the US market — route through Vietnam. Custom pieces, complex designs, or orders for non-US markets where tariffs are not a factor — stay with China.
The dual-sourcing approach adds management overhead, but the cost optimization is worth it for orders above $100K annually. I run about 60% China / 40% Vietnam now, up from 90/10 two years ago.
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