If you have timber to sell and you are looking for an import partner in Vietnam, the quality of your timber offer decides how fast the conversation moves. A short message such as "we have hardwood, interested?" usually gets a slow reply, because the buyer has to come back with a list of questions before they can say anything useful.
This guide explains what a Vietnamese buyer needs to see in a first offer, written from the side of the supplier. It is based on the questions DA Global asks timber suppliers every day.
Why a complete offer gets answered faster
A buyer comparing offers has to answer three questions quickly: Is this the wood we need? Can this supplier deliver it reliably? Is it worth continuing the discussion? Every missing detail turns into another round of emails. A complete first message shows that you know your product, that the stock is real and that you are ready to work.
The 8 details to put in your first offer
1. Species — trade name and scientific name
Write the trade name you use locally and the scientific name. The same timber can carry different names in different countries (for example, Okan is also traded as Denya, and Tali also appears as Missanda). The scientific name removes any doubt.
2. Product form
State clearly whether you offer logs, squared timber (boules / hewn squares) or sawn timber. Buyers often have separate requirements and pricing for each form, so one offer per product form is easier to evaluate than a mixed list.
3. Dimensions and quality
- Logs: diameter range and length range.
- Squared or sawn timber: thickness, width and length ranges.
- Your grade or quality description: heart, cracks, straightness, defects allowed, and for sawn timber whether it is fresh-sawn or dried.
If you use a named grading system, say which one.
4. Volume available now and per month
Separate the stock available today from the regular monthly volume you can supply. "Two containers ready now, then 10–15 containers per month" tells a buyer far more than "large quantity".
5. Country of origin and port of loading
Give the country where the timber was harvested and the port you ship from. Origin and port affect transit time, freight cost and shipment planning.
6. Delivery terms and price basis
Say which Incoterm your price refers to (for example FOB or CFR/CIF to a Vietnamese port) and in which currency. If you prefer to discuss price after the buyer confirms interest, say so — but still state the basis you will quote on.
7. Photos of the actual stock
Recent photos of the lot you are offering — log ends with markings, stacks, squares in the yard, or a loaded container — are worth more than catalogue pictures. Photos help the buyer check species, form and condition before asking for more.
8. Your company and contact details
Company name, country, the person in charge, and a working email or WhatsApp number. Suppliers who are easy to reach get answered first.
Shipment documents are discussed case by case for each concrete lot. In your first offer it is enough to say which documents you normally provide for an export shipment.
Common mistakes that slow an offer down
- Price without context — a number with no Incoterm, currency or specification cannot be compared.
- One message for everything — ten species and three product forms in a single paragraph. Split them, or start with the lot you most want to sell.
- Stock that is not available — offering wood you do not have yet damages trust when the buyer asks to proceed.
- No photos — the buyer will ask for them anyway.
How to send your offer to DA Global
DA Global is a trading partner in Vietnam interested in legal timber supply and long-term cooperation. We review every offer we receive; we do not buy every species or every volume, so a clear offer helps us tell you quickly whether it fits a current need.
- Use the offer form on this page: fill in your country, the volume you can supply and your offer details (the 8 points above).
- Add your email or WhatsApp so we can reply.
- If we have a matching need, we come back with questions about specifications and the next steps.
You can also browse our current timber buying requests and see the species we are sourcing on the raw timber sourcing page. If you supply Tali, read our guide to selling Tali timber to Vietnam.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know the exact price before I contact you?
No. You can send the specification, volume, origin and photos first and discuss price once there is a match. Do state the delivery term you would quote on.
Can I offer several species at once?
Yes, but list each species and product form separately, with its own dimensions and volume. It makes the offer much faster to assess.
Which species are you looking for?
Our needs change over time. The buying requests page shows the species, forms and origins we have posted. If your timber is not listed, you can still send an offer.
How quickly will I get a reply?
That depends on whether the offer matches a current need and how complete it is. A complete offer with photos is always reviewed faster.