►Main areas
Northern Industrial Zone
Hanoi Surroundings (such as Bac Ninh, Haiphong, Haiyang):
This area is close to the China-Vietnam border, with convenient logistics. Many manufacturers (including makeup brush factories) transferred from China set up factories here, so it has the highest concentration of foreign-funded enterprises in Vietnam.
Key Industrial Parks:
VSIP (Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park), Deep C Industrial Park (Haiphong), Yen Phong Industrial Zone (Bac Ninh), etc., have attracted a large number of labor-intensive industries.
Southern Industrial Zone
Ho Chi Minh City Surroundings (such as Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An):
Export-oriented, close to ports (such as Ho Chi Minh Port), convenient transportation to Europe and USA. Some Japanese companies have deployed high-end makeup brush production here.
Export-oriented, close to ports (such as Ho Chi Minh Port), convenient transportation to Europe and USA. Some Japanese companies have deployed high-end makeup brush production here.
Central Region
Da Nang, Hue:
Currently, there are few makeup brush factories here, but in recent years, the Vietnam government has promoted industrialization in the central region, may become a new growth point in the future.。
Currently, there are few makeup brush factories here, but in recent years, the Vietnam government has promoted industrialization in the central region, may become a new growth point in the future.。
►Technology and Capacity
Technology
Mainly low-end:
Vietnamese makeup brush manufacturers are mainly engaged in OEM/ODM makeup brushes, and their technology is concentrated in the production of basic brushes, such as synthetic fiber brushes and ordinary animal hair (goat hair) brushes. The process is mainly manual assembly, with low automation degree.
Gradually upgrading:
Some foreign-funded enterprises (such as Japanese and Korean) have introduced semi-automatic equipment to improve the efficiency of hair trimming and brush handle injection molding, but high-end processes (such as fine processing of squirrel hair and antibacterial coating technology) still rely on technical support from China or Japan.
Vietnamese makeup brush manufacturers are mainly engaged in OEM/ODM makeup brushes, and their technology is concentrated in the production of basic brushes, such as synthetic fiber brushes and ordinary animal hair (goat hair) brushes. The process is mainly manual assembly, with low automation degree.
Gradually upgrading:
Some foreign-funded enterprises (such as Japanese and Korean) have introduced semi-automatic equipment to improve the efficiency of hair trimming and brush handle injection molding, but high-end processes (such as fine processing of squirrel hair and antibacterial coating technology) still rely on technical support from China or Japan.
Capacity
Labor-intensive model:
Vietnamese factories rely on manual labor, the monthly production capacity of a medium-sized makeup brush factory can reach 200,000-500,000 pieces (depending on the complexity of the order).
Export-oriented:
Mainly serving European, American, Japanese and Korean brands, some factories indirectly supply the Chinese market through re-export by Chinese traders.
Vietnamese factories rely on manual labor, the monthly production capacity of a medium-sized makeup brush factory can reach 200,000-500,000 pieces (depending on the complexity of the order).
Export-oriented:
Mainly serving European, American, Japanese and Korean brands, some factories indirectly supply the Chinese market through re-export by Chinese traders.
►Supporting industry chain
Raw materials rely on imports
Bristles:
Synthetic fibers: mainly imported from China (Zhejiang, Guangdong) and South Korea;
Animal hair (goat, horse hair): rely on suppliers in Hebei, Anhui and other places in China, some imported from India and New Zealand.
Ferrules/handles：
Plastic and wooden handles are mostly produced locally, but high-end metal aluminum ferrules and electroplated accessories still need to be purchased from China (Guangdong, Jiangsu) or South Korea.
Synthetic fibers: mainly imported from China (Zhejiang, Guangdong) and South Korea;
Animal hair (goat, horse hair): rely on suppliers in Hebei, Anhui and other places in China, some imported from India and New Zealand.
Ferrules/handles：
Plastic and wooden handles are mostly produced locally, but high-end metal aluminum ferrules and electroplated accessories still need to be purchased from China (Guangdong, Jiangsu) or South Korea.
Shortcomings of local supporting facilities
Surface treatment：
The technology of electroplating and painting is relatively weak, makeup brush manufacturers with strict environmental protection standards need to ship semi-finished products to China for processing.
Molds development：
Complex brush handle molds are mostly provided by manufacturers in China (Dongguan, Shenzhen) or Taiwan, local mold factories in Vietnam mainly produce simple styles.
The technology of electroplating and painting is relatively weak, makeup brush manufacturers with strict environmental protection standards need to ship semi-finished products to China for processing.
Molds development：
Complex brush handle molds are mostly provided by manufacturers in China (Dongguan, Shenzhen) or Taiwan, local mold factories in Vietnam mainly produce simple styles.
►Typical Enterprises and Competition
Foreign investment dominates
Taiwanese companies: such as Key Beauty and Taihe Group, which have factories in Binh Duong and Bac Ninh, mainly focus on OEM makeup brushes for European and American brands.
Korean companies: such as CLIO supply chain partner factory, focuses on precision tools such as air cushion puffs and detail brushes.
Japanese companies: such as Hakuhodo's cooperative factory in Vietnam, produces entry-level goat brushes.
Korean companies: such as CLIO supply chain partner factory, focuses on precision tools such as air cushion puffs and detail brushes.
Japanese companies: such as Hakuhodo's cooperative factory in Vietnam, produces entry-level goat brushes.
Local companies
Smaller scale:
Vietnamese local brands (such as Cocoon and Lamour) mostly focus on the domestic market, producing low-end makeup brushes with limited technical content.
OEM transformation:
Some makeup brush manufacturers have accumulated experience by taking orders from South Korea and gradually improved their craftsmanship.
Vietnamese local brands (such as Cocoon and Lamour) mostly focus on the domestic market, producing low-end makeup brushes with limited technical content.
OEM transformation:
Some makeup brush manufacturers have accumulated experience by taking orders from South Korea and gradually improved their craftsmanship.
►Challenges and Trends
Challenges
Supply chain dependence: core raw materials and high-end technologies are still subject to foreign suppliers.
Rising labor costs: Vietnamese workers earn about $250-400 per month (2023 data), which is rising year by year, the cost advantage is gradually shrinking.
Shortage of skilled workers: fine manual work (such as bristle sorting and layered trimming) requires long-term training,employee turnover is high.
Rising labor costs: Vietnamese workers earn about $250-400 per month (2023 data), which is rising year by year, the cost advantage is gradually shrinking.
Shortage of skilled workers: fine manual work (such as bristle sorting and layered trimming) requires long-term training,employee turnover is high.
Trends
Automation upgrade: Introduce CNC hair trimmers and automatic hair transplanting equipment to reduce reliance on manual labor.
Vertical integration: Large OEM makeup brush factories extend upstream (such as self-built synthetic hair production lines) to reduce costs.
Green manufacturing: Promote environmentally friendly materials (such as degradable brush handles) to comply with EU regulations (such as REACH).
Vertical integration: Large OEM makeup brush factories extend upstream (such as self-built synthetic hair production lines) to reduce costs.
Green manufacturing: Promote environmentally friendly materials (such as degradable brush handles) to comply with EU regulations (such as REACH).
Summary
Vietnam's makeup brush industry is concentrated in the vicinity of Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south. It is dominated by foreign-funded OEM factories, with low- to medium-end technology levels, production capacity relying on manual labor, and the supporting industrial chain is still being improved. Its core advantages lie in tariff preferences and low labor costs, but it faces challenges such as supply chain dependence and shortage of skilled workers. For brands, Vietnam is suitable as a supplementary production base for low- and medium-end brushes, while high-end makeup brushes still need to rely on the supply chain in China or Japan and South Korea.
