Vietnam's textile industry is undergoing remarkable transformations as it embraces sustainability and innovation, aiming to meet the growing demands for eco-friendly practices globally. With aspirations to achieve $48 billion in export revenue by 2025, the industry is actively participating in international supply chains and adapting to new trends.
On February 26th, 2025, the International Exhibition of Textile Industry and Textile Technology (VIATT 2025) kicked off at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. This exhibition, building on the success of its inaugural event the previous year, attracted over 400 exhibitors and 500 booths covering 15,000 square meters, showcasing products and solutions across various sectors of the textile industry.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Phan Thi Thang, emphasized the significance of Vietnam's textile sector, which has witnessed impressive growth and now plays a pivotal role in the national economy. Currently, textiles account for 12-16% of the country’s total export revenue, with exports nearing $44 billion in 2024, marking an 11.26% increase from the previous year, solidifying Vietnam’s position as the second-largest textile exporter after China.
“Given these favorable trends and the implementation of 17 new-generation Free Trade Agreements (FTAS), our goal for 2025 is to reach an export turnover of $48 billion, reinforcing Vietnam’s reputation within global supply chains,” said Thang. She noted the need for the industry to focus on developing large-scale textile production chains, investing in modern and highly automated equipment, and adopting digital transformation.
These advancements also come amid global economic uncertainties, prompting companies to find appropriate pathways to secure jobs, provide social welfare for workers, and navigate challenges with sustainable development goals. Thang expressed hope for VIATT 2025 to facilitate trade connections among Vietnamese and international textile businesses, fostering the creation of long-lasting partnerships.
VIATT 2025 particularly highlights sustainable production by introducing the Econogy area (focused on sustainable production) and the Innovation and Digital Solutions area, reflecting the industry’s shift toward modern technology and eco-friendly practices. This year's exhibition also welcomed participants from countries including India, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Taiwan, and Thailand, alongside the debut of the European pavilion.
Major European entities, such as Bossa Ticaret Ve Sanayi Isletmeleri TAS from Turkey and Chargeurs PCC Asia Limited from France, are among the participants. The National Brand Pavilion of Vietnam remains one of the exhibition's key highlights, providing local enterprises with platforms to promote their products and seek partnerships, thereby demonstrating their leadership within the textile field.
Through the international exchange facilitated by VIATT, companies aim to connect with industry leaders, gain diverse market insights, and explore future trends affecting the textile and garment sector, including design, market information, sustainability initiatives, and technology innovations.
Event organizers also plan to host specialized workshops during the exhibition, addressing important themes like market strategies and sustainable development issues, benefiting both enterprises and visitors within the textile industry. These workshops are expected to provide participants with the latest industry updates.
Fashion shows featuring renowned designers like Vietnam's Vu Viet Ha and French designer Manix Wong are also scheduled, showcasing collections and styles from across the globe. The exhibition is anticipated to attract around 18,000 visitors, including about 3,000 international attendees, based on previous records from VIATT’s inaugural year.
Significantly, Vietnam stands as the world's second-largest textile exporter, possessing vast potential for growth. Increasingly, international manufacturers are extending their operations to Vietnam to bolster the already thriving local industry.
Participation in global trade agreements, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), is indicative of the industry's bright future as Vietnam works to align with global benchmarks for sustainability.
To support the textile sector amid these global trends, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has devised and presented Decision No. 1643/QD-TTg on December 29, 2022. This strategy outlines the development of Vietnam's textile and leather sectors until 2030, with visions extending to 2035, focusing on exports as the main motivator, market diversification, value addition, and sustainable production aligned with international standards.
Overall, VIATT 2025 demonstrates Vietnam's commitment to progressing its textile industry along eco-friendly lines, ensuring competitiveness and sustainability for years to come.