Vietnamese hair vs Indian hair: Which is Better?

When it comes to selecting the best hair extensions, the two main options on the market are Vietnamese and Indian hair. These two types of hair have gained significant attention. When Vietnamese hair is well-known for its high quality and durability, while India is famous for the cheapest price in the hair market. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the similarities and differences between Vietnamese hair vs Indian hair. With a clearer understanding of hair type, you can make suitable decisions regarding your target market preference and business needs.

Overview of Vietnamese Hair and Indian hair

Before diving into the detailed comparison, it’s essential to understand the basics of Vietnamese and Indian hair.

Vietnamese Hair

Vietnamese hair has been gaining significant traction in the global hair market. Its popularity can be attributed to its natural beauty, durability, and versatility.

As of 2023, Vietnam holds approximately 12-15% of the global hair extensions market. The country has become a dominant player, especially in high-end markets such as Europe, North America, and the Middle East. The Vietnamese hair industry is supported by a growing number of manufacturers and exporters, with an estimated export value of over $350 million annually.

Things you should know about Vietnamese hair is its natural luster, softness, and resilience. Customers often describe it as a silky texture with a natural wave pattern. This is also a reason that retailers and wholesalers choose Vietnamese hair for it holds styles well and remains durable over time. The hair is typically straight, thick, and smooth, making it highly sought after in the global hair market.

Indian Hair

Indian hair, on the other hand, has been a longstanding favorite, with affordable prices. This hair type is available in various textures, ranging from straight to curly, and is known for its fine and light texture. Indian hair is widely used in the hair extension industry due to its availability and affordability.

India accounts for a staggering 40-45% of the global hair extensions market, making it the largest exporter of human hair. The Indian hair industry is valued at approximately $1.5 billion, with exports primarily directed to the United States, Africa, and Europe. Indian hair is known for its versatility and affordability, making it a popular choice among a wide range of consumers.

While both types of hair have a substantial market share, Vietnamese hair has been experiencing a steady rise in demand due to its growing reputation.

What are the similarities between Vietnamese hair and Indian hair?

There are many similarities between Vietnamese and Indian hair which makes them both preferred options in the hair industry.

• Natural Human Hair: Both Vietnamese and Indian hair are sourced from human donors.
• Hair Color: These hairs are easy to identify due to their similar color tone. For Vietnamese hair vs Indian hair, the dark color stands out.
• Versatility: Both types of hair are versatile and can be styled, colored, and treated to match different preferences and needs.
• Availability: Both Vietnamese and Indian hair are readily available in the market, making them accessible for wholesale buyers.
• Popularity: Both hair types are popular in the hair extension market, with a large customer base that appreciates their unique qualities.

What are the differences between Indian Hair and Vietnamese hair?

When comparing Vietnamese hair and Indian hair, several key differences stand out. From quality and price to their appearance and origin, we will make it clear to you.

Vietnamese hair vs Indian hair: Origin

The source of hair is a crucial factor that determines its quality, ethical standards, and overall appeal.

Vietnamese Hair 

Vietnamese hair is primarily sourced from rural regions in Vietnam, where women often grow their hair long as part of their cultural traditions. The hair is collected from voluntary donors, usually young women who have maintained their hair with natural care routines. These donors often use herbal treatments and traditional hair care methods, resulting in hair that is strong, thick, and healthy.

The collection process is ethical and transparent, ensuring that the hair remains untreated and in its most natural state. This ethical sourcing results in high-quality hair that retains its strength, shine, and natural texture.

Indian Hair

Indian hair is predominantly sourced from temples across India, where donors offer their hair as a religious sacrifice. Every year, Hindus go on pilgrimage to temples to show their respect. They have a custom of praying, shaving their heads, and sacrificing their hair. This practice is an important ritual in many Indian temples, particularly in the southern regions of the country. The hair is collected by temple authorities and then sold to hair companies.

While temple hair is generally considered high-quality due to its nature, the quality can vary depending on the source. Hair sourced outside of temples might not have the same level of consistency, leading to variations in quality.

Vietnamese hair vs Indian hair: Quality

When it comes to quality, Vietnamese hair and Indian hair cater to different preferences and needs.

Feature	Vietnamese Hair	Indian Hair
Types of Hair Quality	High-quality virgin hair, Remy hair, Non-Remy hair	Temple hair, Remy hair, Non-Remy hair
Durability	Extremely durable, can last 2-3 years with proper care	Good durability, last 1 year with proper care
Hair Source and Ethical Sourcing	Ethically sourced from rural donors	Temple-sourced, can vary in ethical practices
Chemical Processing	Minimal chemical processing needed	May require more processing for desired textures

 

• Types of Hair Quality

Vietnamese Hair: Vietnamese hair is renowned for its virgin quality. Virgin hair refers to hair that has never been chemically treated, dyed, or styled. This type of hair retains its natural cuticle alignment, resulting in smooth, tangle-free extensions. In addition, Vietnamese hair is often thicker and stronger than hair from other regions, making it ideal for long-lasting extensions.

Indian Hair: Indian hair is also available in virgin quality, particularly temple hair, which is untreated and retains its natural state. However, due to the diverse sourcing methods, not all Indian hair can be classified as virgin.

Some Indian hair may be chemically processed to achieve certain textures or colors, which can affect its quality and durability. Non-Remy Indian hair, which is collected from various sources without regard to the direction of the cuticle, tends to be less durable, has uneven coloring, and tends to tangle.

• Durability

Vietnamese Hair: The durability of Vietnamese hair is one of its most notable qualities. Due to the minimal chemical processing and the natural strength of the hair, Vietnamese hair extensions can last from 2 to 3 years with proper care. The hair is elastic and maintains its integrity even after multiple washes, styling, and coloring treatments.

Indian Hair: Indian hair is also durable but may have a shorter lifespan compared to Vietnamese hair. Depending on how the hair is processed and maintained, Indian hair extensions can last up to 1 year. However, chemically treated Indian hair may have a significantly reduced lifespan, as processing can weaken the hair structure, making it easier to break and tangle.

• Chemical Processing

Vietnamese Hair: Vietnamese hair is naturally straight and therefore requires very little chemical treatment. This lack of treatment ensures that the hair retains its natural moisture, strength, and shine. The result is healthy, vibrant hair that can withstand a variety of styling techniques without losing its quality.

Indian Hair: Indian hair is mostly curly and quite rough in texture, so it is mostly chemically treated to achieve the desired texture or color. While this process allows for a wide variety of styles and shades, it can also weaken the hair, making it more prone to dryness, breakage, and tangles. Chemically treated Indian hair may look attractive initially, but the quality of the hair can decline over time if not properly cared for.

Vietnamese hair vs Indian hair: Appearance 

The appearance of hair extensions plays a crucial role in customer satisfaction. Here’s how Vietnamese hair compares to Indian hair in terms of appearance:

Feature	Vietnamese Hair	Indian Hair
Texture	Straight, smooth, and thick	Naturally wavy and light
Color	Natural dark shades, easy to dye and bleach with even colors	Good with dark shades, difficult to bleach and dye, uneven color
Length	Available in long lengths, often up to 32 inches	Wide range, shorter lengths are more prevalent
Smoothness	Naturally smooth and polished	A slightly rougher texture, may require additional treatment for smoothness
Thickness	Thick and full	Fine and lightweight
Styling Versatility	Highly versatile, holds styles well	Easy to frizz, especially in humidity, hard to style

 

• Texture

Vietnamese Hair: The texture of Vietnamese hair is typically straight, with a naturally smooth and sleek finish. This straightness contributes to its versatility, making it perfect for various styling options, including both sleek and wavy looks. Its inherent smoothness means less frizz and a more polished appearance, which is highly desirable in the market.

Indian Hair: In contrast, Indian hair has a curlier texture. This natural texture is often chemically treated to straighten it. This can also cause the hair to become drier and lose its natural shine. It also requires more care to control the frizz, especially in humid conditions.

• Color

Vietnamese Hair: Vietnamese hair comes in natural dark shades, typically black or dark brown. The uniformity of the color makes it easy to dye or bleach without causing damage, allowing for a wide range of color treatments.

Indian Hair: Indian hair also comes in dark shades, but its color can be more varied and uneven. While it is good with dark shades, the hair may not take to dye and bleach as evenly as Vietnamese hair. The uneven color can be challenging for achieving uniform results, especially for lighter colors.

• Length

Vietnamese Hair: Vietnamese hair is often known for its long lengths, with many donors growing their hair for years before cutting it. The ability to grow and maintain long, healthy hair strands makes Vietnamese hair highly sought after.

Indian Hair: Indian hair comes in a variety of lengths, from short to long. However, due to the different sources of Indian hair, there can be a lot of variation in the length of individual hairs in a bundle. This mixture allows for a variety of hairstyles, but the longer lengths and thickness of the ends may be limited compared to Vietnamese hair.

• Softness, Smoothness

Vietnamese Hair: One of the most distinguishing features of Vietnamese hair is its exceptional smoothness and softness. The natural oils produced by the scalp, combined with the use of herbal hair care practices by Vietnamese women, result in hair that feels luxuriously soft to the touch. This smoothness is maintained even after washing and styling.

Indian Hair: Indian hair is also soft, and smooth but tends to have a slightly rougher texture compared to Vietnamese hair. The level of softness can vary depending on the processing it undergoes.

• Thickness

Vietnamese Hair: Vietnamese hair is known for its thick strands, giving it a fuller and more robust appearance which contributes to its overall volume and strength. The thickness of the hair strands also means that they can hold styles well and are less breakable.

Indian Hair: Indian hair tends to be finer and less dense than Vietnamese hair, offering a lighter and more natural feel. While this can be advantageous for certain styles, finer hair may not provide the same level of volume and strength as thicker hair and can cause shedding problems.

• Styling Versatility

Vietnamese Hair: Vietnamese hair can hold curls and waves exceptionally well and can withstand heat styling and chemical treatments with minimal damage. The hair’s strength allows it to maintain various styles, from sleek, straight looks to voluminous curls, without losing its natural shine and smoothness.

Indian Hair: Indian hair, due to its natural texture, can be easily styled into voluminous, curly, or wavy looks. However, it tends to frizz more, especially in humid conditions and can be harder to style into sleek, straight looks without additional treatments.

Vietnamese hair vs Indian hair: Price  

Pricing is a significant factor for wholesale customers.

Feature	Vietnamese Hair	Indian Hair
Price Range	From $20 to $200, reflecting quality and durability	From $10 – $100, offering a balance of quality and cost
Value for Money	Excellent, due to long lifespan and minimal maintenance, value for long-term investment	Good, especially for those seeking versatile styling options, value for short-term use

 

Vietnamese Hair: Vietnamese hair represents a higher cost, but this is balanced by its superior quality. Buyers often view it as a long-term investment, given its durability, ease of styling, and natural appearance. The higher price tag is a reflection of the hair’s ability to hold styles well, resist damage, and maintain its appearance over time. For customers who seek high-quality, durable hair extensions, the investment in Vietnamese hair is often seen as worthwhile.

Indian Hair: Indian hair offers good value for short-term use, especially for consumers who frequently change their hairstyles.  This variability can make Indian hair a more affordable option for those on a budget, but it might not offer the same long-term value as Vietnamese hair. It’s often chosen by consumers who prioritize cost savings and are willing to compromise on certain quality aspects.

Vietnamese hair and Indian hair: Buy and Import

When buying or importing Vietnamese hair or Indian hair, there are some factors to consider:

Retail Customers: Retail customers can easily order Vietnamese and Indian hair online from reputable suppliers. With many vendors offering direct shipping to various countries, Vietnamese hair is often preferred by customers looking for higher quality and durability.

Business Customers: For business customers, the importing process involves additional considerations such as taxes, customs duties, and shipping logistics. Vietnamese hair, with its higher quality and ethical sourcing, may include slightly higher costs but offers a better long-term investment. Knowing how to buy hair from Vietnam first will make an order easier. Building a relationship with a reputable supplier can also ensure consistency in quality and pricing.

Where is the top reputable source to buy Vietnamese hair?

Finding a reputable supplier is key to ensuring quality and consistency in your hair extensions business. Here are some top sources for Vietnamese hair:

Apo Hair

With 20 years of experience, Apo Hair is a top hair extension exporter in Vietnam, with a broad market share spanning +50 countries all over the world. Their Vietnam-based factory provides a strategic advantage, ensuring a steady supply of diverse hair extension designs. Additionally, they offer customization options to meet the unique requirements of wholesale and retail customers globally. Apo Hair is also known for the highest quality in the market now with Premium Luxury hair extensions.

Luxshine Hair

Luxshine Hair is another top vendor offering premium Vietnamese hair. Known for rigorous quality control, Luxshine Hair provides hair extensions that are soft, durable, and naturally beautiful. Luxshine sets itself apart with cutting-edge facilities and modern techniques, ensuring top-notch quality in every product. Beyond offerings readily available in the market, Luxshine caters to custom orders, tailoring designs and colors to meet diverse customer needs.

Macsara Hair 

Macsara Hair is a trusted name in the hair extension industry, creating high customer satisfaction with consistent product quality and the professionalism of the care team. With a focus on excellence, Macsara  Hair has earned the trust of wholesalers and hair salons globally, solidifying its reputation as a reliable and esteemed partner in the industry.

Conclusion 

When comparing Vietnamese hair vs Indian hair, it’s clear that both have their strengths and weaknesses. Vietnamese hair stands out for its superior quality, durability, thickness, natural beauty, and minimal processing, making it a premium choice for those seeking long-lasting quality. Indian hair, with its natural wave and affordability, offers versatility and a more budget-friendly option. Finally, the right choice depends on individual needs, but for those prioritizing luxury and longevity, a trusted Vietnam hair supplier is an excellent option.