HCM CITY — Danish jewellery maker Pandora opened a US$150 million manufacturing facility in HCM City on Thursday, its fourth factory globally and its first outside Thailand, as the company expands production and diversifies its supply chain.

The factory, located in the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park III, has annual production capacity of up to 60 million pieces, which Pandora said would increase its global production capacity by about 50 per cent.

The 7.5ha facility is expected to employ about 7,000 people when operating at full capacity, the company said.

Pandora CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier said the facility would initially account for about 15 per cent of the company's global production capacity, with the share potentially rising to about one-third when the plant reaches full capacity in 2030.

According to de Pablos-Barbier, the company built the facility with a long-term vision in light of uncertainties in global trade, including the possibility of higher US tariffs on goods manufactured in Việt Nam.

Pandora chose Việt Nam because of its skilled workforce, jewellery-making expertise, infrastructure and business environment, the CEO said.

She added that Pandora will focus on operational efficiency and greater integration across its production system in response to market fluctuations.

Nguyễn Lộc Hà, vice chairman of the HCM City People's Committee, said the factory would create thousands of jobs, contribute to the local economy and strengthen the city's and Việt Nam's role in global manufacturing supply chains.

Danish Ambassador to Việt Nam Lina Gandløse Hansen said Pandora's investment highlighted the potential of the country's skilled workforce, while access to renewable energy was also encouraging Danish investment in the country.

Pandora, the world's largest jewellery brand by sales volume, produced 112 million pieces in 2025. The US is its largest market, while silver jewellery, including its popular charm bracelets, remains a key product category. — VNS