Vietnam's textile and garment industry booked $33.66 billion in export turnover as of September 15, preliminary data showed, putting the sector on course for its full-year target of $47–47.5 billion. If market conditions improve in the fourth quarter, turnover could approach $48 billion.

Industry representatives attribute the nine-month result to three strategic pillars: market diversification, technology adoption, and stronger value-chain linkages.

Vietnamese textile and garment products now ship to 137 countries and territories. The US remains the largest single market, accounting for roughly 40% of total overseas shipments, followed by the EU, South Korea, Japan, China and ASEAN, alongside emerging markets in Africa and the Middle East.

On the production side, enterprises are deploying automation, robotics and artificial intelligence across management and manufacturing to lift productivity and optimise processes. A third pillar involves tightening links across the value chain to build more resilient domestic supply networks.

Transformation budgets shift to digital and green

Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), said the sector's performance reflects flexible strategy, enterprise adaptability and progress in green and digital transformation. Looking toward 2026–2030, with a vision to 2035, he stressed that digital and green transformation are no longer options but essential requirements.

According to VITAS, investment in digital infrastructure, AI and robotics now accounts for around 65–68% of total investment at many enterprises — a capital-allocation signal vendors and buyers tracking Vietnamese capacity should weigh carefully.

Green spending is also accelerating, aligned with the government's 2050 net-zero commitment. Enterprises are investing in renewable energy, including rooftop solar, upgrading wastewater treatment systems and increasing the use of environmentally friendly materials.

Giang called on localities to develop specialised industrial parks with concentrated wastewater treatment systems meeting international standards — infrastructure that would attract secondary investors in textile and dyeing and help address the long-standing bottleneck in domestic supplies of raw materials and accessories.

Positioning against Bangladesh and India

Amid competition from Bangladesh and India, Giang argued Vietnam holds an edge in the mid- and high-end segments. Rather than competing mainly on price, Vietnamese businesses are targeting orders that demand advanced technical skills, high-quality workmanship, fast delivery and strict quality standards. A stable socio-economic environment and participation in 17 new-generation free trade agreements support deeper market access.

At company level, Than Duc Viet, general director of Garment 10 Corporation JSC, said the firm is accelerating automation on production lines to meet tightening requirements on delivery times and quality. Coordinated investment in digital and green transformation, he said, has helped Garment 10 maintain stable production, optimise operating costs and secure jobs for workers. The company has booked orders through the end of 2026 and is negotiating contracts for the first quarters of 2027.

Cao Huu Hieu, general director of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex), said the priority for the final months of the year is tight cost control, higher productivity, cash-flow management and high-value-added orders. Several major Vinatex members — including Garment 10, Nha Be Garment and Hue Textile-Garment — have secured orders through year-end.

Hieu cautioned, however, that full order books have not eased commercial pressure. Customers continue to demand longer delivery periods, push harder on prices and shift toward products with more complex technical requirements. Businesses therefore need to coordinate orders across the system to maximise capacity while preparing early for 2027.

With current progress and enterprises' proactive approach, the industry considers the 2026 export target of $47–47.5 billion achievable — and if fourth-quarter market conditions improve, turnover could even approach $48 billion.