Vietnamese exports to China have become increasingly diverse in terms of structure and earned more export revenues, gradually developing brand names and gaining the trust of Chinese consumers, reported the Vietnam Economic News on February 6.

According to the on-line newspaper, many Vietnamese high-quality products can be found on the shelves of China’s supermarkets with increased revenues.

There are already many successful Vietnamese brands in China, including the Thien Long Group. Exporting pens and other office stationery to China could be regarded as “bring coals back to Newcastle” but it is an exceptional case for the group.

“If we can conquer the Chinese market, that will raise export revenue, enrich our enterprises and our country,” chairman of the group Co Gia Tho told the paper.

Thus, after Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, Thien Long products came onto the Chinese market and were welcomed by the local consumers.

Previously, Biti’s also entered the market with growing revenue year after year. Few people expected that Vietnamese footwear products could compete with Chinese goods. However, the management board of Biti’s was happy to seek opportunities in this market and even set targets to put Biti’s products on the shelves of Chinese upmarket supermarkets.

There’s a proverb saying “diligence is the mother of success”, now the annual revenues of Biti’s in China have posted an average growth of 10 percent. Apart from its major market Yunnan, the company is expanding into other provinces and cities such as Beijing, Dongxing and Kunming.

In reality, a number of Vietnamese enterprises have been present in China for years and even built their plants there, with Nhon Hoa Scale Company Ltd a perfect example. Established in 2008, the plant in Quangxi officially became operational in 2010 with initial investment of 6 million USD, it specialised in producing spring dial scales.

Deputy Director of Nhon Hoa Scale Company Ltd Nguyen Cong Viet said its plant in China became profitable just a year after operation and now Nhon Hoa is famous in China thanks to its early market entry and high quality.

Dozens of other Vietnamese brands have also actively tapped the Chinese market such as Vinamit’s dried fruits and Masan’s instant noodles.

According to Chairwoman of the High-Quality Vietnamese Product Business Association Vu Kim Hanh, more than 30 Vietnamese enterprises have successfully entered the Chinese market, which has strengthened the position of Vietnamese goods in China.

Many years ago, Vietnamese goods were mainly exported to China in small volume at border markets. Vice President of the Central Institute for Economic Management Vo Tri Thanh was as saying that with a broad market like China, the best way to secure a firm foothold is to enter through official channels and enterprises also have to unite when negotiating with Chinese partners to create collective strength.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Cam Tu noted that since 2004, China has been one of Vietnam’s largest trade partners. The two-way trade revenue was estimated at nearly 50 billion USD. By 2015, Vietnam targets to raise this figure to 60 billion USD and tackle Vietnam’s trade deficit from China.-VNA