If you are considering moving your eyewear production to Vietnam, partnering with an experienced OEM/ODM manufacturer can give you reliable quality, competitive pricing, and long-term scalability. This guide explains the practical steps to start working with a Vietnam-based eyewear factory, from your first idea to mass production and shipping.
Whether you are an emerging eyewear brand, a distributor, or a fashion label adding eyewear as a new category, the process is similar: clarify your concept, prepare clear specifications, request quotations, develop samples, then move into production with a structured quality and logistics plan.
- What Is an OEM/ODM Eyewear Manufacturer in Vietnam?
- Is Vietnam a Good Choice for Eyewear Production?
- Step 1: Define Your Eyewear Concept and Specifications
- Step 2: Shortlist OEM/ODM Eyewear Manufacturers in Vietnam
- Step 3: Prepare Your RFQ, MOQs, and Pricing Targets
- Step 4: Sample Development and Prototyping
- Step 5: Quality Control, Compliance, and Certifications
- Step 6: Mass Production, Lead Times, and Logistics
- How to Communicate Effectively With a Vietnam OEM/ODM
- FAQ: Working With an OEM/ODM Eyewear Manufacturer in Vietnam
- What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for OEM eyewear in Vietnam?
- Can I use both OEM (my own designs) and ODM (factory designs) with the same partner?
- What information do I need to provide to request a quotation?
- Can Concept Eyewear help with private label packaging and branding?
- What certifications or compliance standards does Concept Eyewear support?
- How do I get started working with Concept Eyewear?
- Start Your Eyewear Brand With Concept Eyewear Vietnam
What Is an OEM/ODM Eyewear Manufacturer in Vietnam?
An OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) eyewear partner produces frames based on your designs, technical drawings, and branding. An ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) provides in-house frame designs and collections that you can customize with your own logo, colors, and packaging.
Many Vietnam eyewear factories, including Concept Eyewear, work as hybrid OEM/ODM partners. This means you can bring your own concepts or choose from existing design libraries, then adapt them for your target markets in Europe, North America, or Asia.
Is Vietnam a Good Choice for Eyewear Production?
Yes, Vietnam is an excellent choice for eyewear production. Concept Eyewear is based in Vietnam with a fully operational production line, combining skilled craftsmanship, modern equipment, and strong quality control to serve brands worldwide. You can see our factory and production process in action on our YouTube channel.
Vietnam has grown into a strong manufacturing base for eyewear thanks to its skilled workforce, stable supply chains, and attractive cost structure compared with traditional hubs. For many brands, shifting part of their sourcing to Vietnam also diversifies risk and improves lead time stability. In addition, Vietnam offers convenient logistics for exporting to the US, EU, and other key markets, with mature shipping routes and increasing experience in compliance, certification, and retailer requirements.
Step 1: Define Your Eyewear Concept and Specifications
Before you contact any OEM/ODM manufacturer, invest time in defining what you want to produce. The clearer your concept, the more accurate the quotation and the smoother the development process will be.
Key points to define:
- Product category: optical frames, sunglasses, sports eyewear, or kids frames
- Materials: acetate, metal, stainless steel, titanium, TR90, or combinations
- Target price range: entry, mid, or premium segment in your market
- Quantities: estimated order volume per model and per color
- Target markets and channels: optical shops, online DTC, fashion boutiques, mass retail
- Target market launch timeline: within 3-4 months timeline by which DD-MM?
Having at least basic sketches, reference samples, or mood boards will help your Vietnam factory understand your design direction more quickly.
Step 2: Shortlist OEM/ODM Eyewear Manufacturers in Vietnam
Once your concept is clear, you can start building a shortlist of potential manufacturing partners. Look for factories that specialize in eyewear rather than general plastics or metals manufacturing.
When researching suppliers:
- Check that eyewear is a core business, not a side category
- Understand their main export markets and typical customer profiles
- Look for examples of frames similar to your desired style and quality level
- Confirm they can work in both OEM and ODM modes if you need flexibility
Step 3: Prepare Your RFQ, MOQs, and Pricing Targets
To get realistic quotations from Vietnam OEM/ODM manufacturers, you need a structured RFQ (Request for Quotation). This allows the factory to calculate material, labor, and process costs accurately.
An effective RFQ will include:
- Model list or concept description (number of models, colors per model)
- Material choices for frames, temples, hinges, and lenses
- Estimated total quantity per order and per year
- Packing specification (case, cleaning cloth, box, labeling)
- Target FOB port and shipping terms (e.g. FOB Ho Chi Minh City)
Most of the options in terms of material choices might not be clear for many founders or brands new to the industry, professional OEM manufacturers like Concept Eyewear would be able to provide the most suitable options for your customized designs. Most eyewear manufacturers in Vietnam will have minimum order quantities (MOQs), often expressed per model and per color. If you are a new brand, be transparent about your volume expectations so they can propose a feasible starting plan.
Step 4: Sample Development and Prototyping
Once you agree on basic pricing and conditions, the next step is to develop samples. This is where your ideas become physical frames that you can test on the face, in retail, or in photo shoots.
During sampling:
- The factory will translate your designs or references into technical drawings
- Materials and colors are confirmed with actual chips and metal finishes
- You receive first prototypes to check fit, weight, comfort, and aesthetics
- You give structured feedback for adjustments (temple length, bridge fit, thickness, etc.)
Most projects go through one round before being approved for production. Allow time in your launch calendar for this step, because it is the foundation for consistent quality later.
Step 5: Quality Control, Compliance, and Certifications
A professional OEM/ODM eyewear manufacturer in Vietnam will have internal quality control processes and experience with international compliance. However, you still need to define together how quality will be monitored for your brand.
Discussion points with your factory:
- Understand your manufacturer Quality Control capability to ensure high consistency in every step
- Tolerances for dimensions, alignment, surface finishing, and lens quality
- Dropball tests and other performance checks appropriate to your segment
Some buyers also work with third-party inspection agencies to perform pre-shipment inspections which involves additional costs. Your Vietnam factory should be used to coordinating with such services if needed.
Step 6: Mass Production, Lead Times, and Logistics
After you approve your samples and confirm the purchase order, your project moves into mass production. At this stage, clear planning and communication are essential.
Typical aspects to align:
- Production lead time from deposit to shipment
- Batch size and sequence if you produce multiple models or colors
- Packing details and shipping marks on cartons and pallets
- Shipping mode: sea freight, air freight, or a combination depending on launch dates
A reliable factory will provide realistic timelines instead of over-promising and will communicate early if there are any supply or capacity constraints that could affect your schedule.
How to Communicate Effectively With a Vietnam OEM/ODM
Strong communication often makes the difference between a smooth project and a stressful one. When working with a Vietnam eyewear manufacturer:
- Use clear, concise English in emails and documents
- Summarize decisions and action points after calls or meetings
- Share reference photos, drawings, and samples whenever possible
- Respect time zones and agree on regular update calls
Treat your factory as a long-term partner rather than a transactional supplier. This mindset helps both sides invest in better processes, quality, and new product ideas over time.
FAQ: Working With an OEM/ODM Eyewear Manufacturer in Vietnam
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for OEM eyewear in Vietnam?
Most OEM eyewear projects in Vietnam start from a minimum order quantity per model and per color, which helps the factory plan materials and production efficiently. The exact MOQ depends on the material, design complexity, and finishing, so it is best to discuss your planned launch range and volumes with the factory before finalizing your collection.
Can I use both OEM (my own designs) and ODM (factory designs) with the same partner?
Yes. Concept Eyewear supports both OEM and ODM modes. You can bring your own unique designs for certain collections while also selecting and customizing models from our in-house design library for faster launches. Many clients mix both approaches across their seasonal ranges.
What information do I need to provide to request a quotation?
To receive an accurate quotation, share your target product category, materials, estimated quantities, and target markets, along with any specific requirements for packaging and certification. The more precise your information, the more closely the quotation will match the final project cost. A simple brief or reference photos are always helpful.
Can Concept Eyewear help with private label packaging and branding?
Yes. Concept Eyewear provides full private label support, including custom case design, cleaning cloth printing, box construction, barcode labeling, and hang tags. Whether you need simple branded packaging or a premium retail-ready unboxing experience, our team can work with your specifications and artwork files.
What certifications or compliance standards does Concept Eyewear support?
Concept Eyewear has experience supporting CE marking (EN ISO 12312-1 for sunglasses), ANSI Z80.3 for the US market, and retailer-specific compliance documentation. We can provide test reports, conformity declarations, and work with third-party inspection agencies as required for your target markets.
How do I get started working with Concept Eyewear?
The easiest way to start is to reach out directly via WhatsApp or through our website contact form. Share a brief overview of your brand, the product types you are interested in, and your target quantities. We will reply quickly to schedule an initial discussion and share our catalog and capabilities overview.
How long does it take from first sample to mass production?
A typical timeline starts with one to two rounds of samples to finalize design and fit, followed by mass production once everything is approved. Depending on complexity and workload, you should plan several weeks for sampling and then additional time for full production and shipping.
Start Your Eyewear Brand With Concept Eyewear Vietnam
Concept Eyewear is a Vietnam-based OEM/ODM manufacturer with 25+ years of experience producing optical frames, sunglasses, and sport eyewear for brands in US, Europe, North America, and Asia. Whether you are launching your first eyewear collection or scaling an established brand, we offer the flexibility, quality, and communication standard to match your goals.
See our factory and production line in action: Youtube Channel
Ready to discuss your eyewear project? Contact Concept Team directly on WhatsApp: Whatsapp