Introduction: In early August 2026, the NEPCON Vietnam exhibition was held in Hanoi, attracting many well-known international equipment manufacturers. At the same time, Vietnam has introduced new regulations on used machinery imports and product certification. This article summarizes the latest developments in Vietnam's electronics manufacturing market based on publicly available information, for industry peers who are interested in this market.
1. Vietnam's Electronics Manufacturing Sector Is Growing Rapidly
Vietnam has become a key global base for electronics manufacturing. Major players such as Samsung, Foxconn, Luxshare Precision, and Goertek have large factories in the country, mainly concentrated in northern provinces like Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Phong, and Hanoi.
In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam attracted US$15.2 billion in foreign direct investment, up 42.9% year-on-year. The electronics and information technology industry has become a main driver of the country's exports.
From August 5 to 7, 2026, NEPCON Vietnam was held in Hanoi – the first time the brand officially entered the Vietnamese market. The exhibition featured six major zones including Surface Mount Technology, Machine Vision & Robotics, and Smart Factory & Automation. Exhibitors included Panasonic, GKG, TZTEK, and others. Concurrent forums discussed the impact of AI and smart manufacturing on Vietnam's electronics industry.
2. What Opportunities Exist for SMT Peripheral Equipment Suppliers
The rapid growth of Vietnam's electronics manufacturing is driving demand for SMT production line equipment. Beyond core machines like pick-and-place and printers, peripheral equipment such as board loaders/unloaders, conveyors, transfer units, and buffer stations also have steady supporting demand.
From a customer structure perspective, there are three main buyer types:
Multinational companies' local plants: e.g., Samsung, Foxconn, Luxshare – they require high equipment stability and data connectivity
Chinese enterprises expanding overseas: tend to prefer suppliers already validated in China – the easiest segment for peripheral equipment suppliers to enter
Local Vietnamese electronics factories: more price-sensitive and value localized service
3. Two Regulatory Changes to Be Aware Of
3.1 New Rules for Used Machinery Imports
Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology issued Circular No. 30/2025/TT-BKHCN, effective from January 1, 2026, which sets clear conditions for importing used machinery and equipment in the semiconductor and related fields:
Equipment must not be classified as obsolete or low-quality by the exporting country
Production lines must retain at least 85% of original capacity/efficiency
Individual equipment must not exceed 20 years of age
Must comply with Vietnam's safety, energy efficiency, and environmental standards
Note: These rules primarily target used equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, and testing. SMT peripheral equipment exporters should check applicability based on the specific use of their products.
3.2 Product Certification Now Risk-Based
Since July 2026, Vietnam's conformity assessment (CR certification) for electrical and electronic products has shifted to a risk-based classification:
High-risk products: require type approval plus declaration of conformity
Medium-risk products: mainly rely on declaration of conformity
New CR certificates are valid for up to 5 years
Standard certification takes about 4 to 6 weeks
If your equipment includes wireless functions such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or RFID, you need to determine the risk level based on frequency and power, and obtain the appropriate certification.
4. Practical Suggestions for Entering Vietnam
1. Start with exhibitions
NEPCON Vietnam is an effective platform to reach local customers. While exhibiting, you can also evaluate local agents to handle language barriers and after-sales support.
2. Prepare compliance documentation
Before exporting, ensure HS codes are correctly classified, and prepare complete factory certificates and technical files. For FORM E certificates of origin, accurately state the regional value content.
3. Consider local service capabilities
Vietnamese electronics factories have low tolerance for machine downtime. If possible, set up a small spare parts warehouse or station a technician in Bac Ninh or Hanoi – this greatly helps build customer trust.
4. Prioritize existing customers expanding abroad
If your domestic customers have already set up factories in Vietnam, following them is the most direct path – they have already validated your products at home, and new plant expansions naturally favor continuity.
5. Summary
Vietnam's electronics manufacturing market is growing rapidly, and demand for SMT peripheral equipment is rising. At the same time, regulations on product certification and machinery imports are becoming more detailed, raising the compliance bar.
For SMT peripheral equipment suppliers looking to enter Vietnam:
Short-term: leverage exhibitions and follow existing customers
Medium-term: gradually build local service capabilities
Throughout: incorporate compliance requirements into product planning from the start
Sources:
1.NEPCON official WeChat account: "Opening Today! ITWA VIETNAM 2026 and NEPCON Vietnam Grand Launch" (August 5, 2026)
2.NEPCON ASIA project team: "Visiting Multiple Local Industry Associations – NEPCON ASIA @ Vietnam Project Team Seizes Vietnam's Electronics Manufacturing Dividend" (April 8, 2026)
3.Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Vietnam: "Vietnam Publishes Six Standards for Importing Second-Hand Semiconductor Equipment" (November 24, 2025)
4.Zhejiang Yizhan International: "Policy Update – Vietnam's New CR Certification Rules: From One-Size-Fits-All to Risk-Based Classification" (August 14, 2026)
This article is compiled from publicly available sources for reference only. Please refer to the latest official publications for current regulations in Vietnam.
