Verifying B2B Partners in Vietnam: Legal, Credit & Operational Checklist (De-Risk from Day One)

In B2B, Small Mistakes Can Lead to Major Risks

A deal that “looks good” can quickly turn into a liability if due diligence is skipped. Below is a practical checklist we have applied in real cases:

1) Basic Legal Compliance

• Business registration/license & tax ID: verify company name, address, and business scope.

• Legal representative: position and signing authority.

• Public information: website, social media presence, office/factory photos (with visible time stamps).

2) Financial & Credit Capacity

• Signs of overdue debt with past suppliers, or requests for unusual terms.

• Review transaction history (if available), inventory scale, and turnover cycle.

• Pay attention to payment terms: T/T deposits – L/C – credit; check alignment with industry practice.

3) Operational & Technical Capacity

• Warehouse/production capacity: photos, videos, or site visits (if feasible).

• Quality standards/certifications relevant to the industry.

• Actual lead times and history of delays.

4) Risk Signals (Red Flags)

• Only communicates via personal numbers; avoids providing company domain email.

• Abnormal price pressure, last-minute contract changes, lack of decision-maker transparency.

• Slow or inconsistent responses; frequent changes in contact person.

5) Cross-Checking Methods

• Verify through shared partners in the supply chain.

• Quick reference calls with 2–3 past clients (if possible).

• Start with a small order/sample lot before scaling up; closely monitor quality and timelines.

Conclusion

No checklist can eliminate risks 100%. But following this framework can help reduce 70–80% of basic risks. The most important factor is discipline: documenting each step, so that when you scale up, you have reliable data to make informed decisions.