China vs. Vietnam For Manufacturing

China vs. Vietnam for Manufacturing

To say the global manufacturing landscape is in flux would be an understatement. What was once a relatively straightforward comparison of labor costs has evolved into a far more nuanced and strategic decision-making process. Geopolitical tensions, shifting trade and tariff regimes, technological disruption, environmental concerns, and changing consumer expectations have all layered complexity onto what used to be a primarily cost-driven equation.

As our law firm's manufacturing practice outside of China continues to expand, we find ourselves increasingly involved in this global recalibration. More and more companies are reassessing where and how they produce, debating whether to shift operations from China to Vietnam, adopt a "China+1" strategy, or diversify across multiple jurisdictions. Ten years ago, about 90 percent of our international manufacturing work focused on China, with the remaining 10 percent almost entirely in