The Vietnamese textile and garment industry continued its growth trajectory in the first nine months of 2026.
The SE Asian country exported textiles and apparels amounting to US $35.721 billion from January to September, an increase of 3.3% compared to the same period of 2025.
Of this total, exports of garments contributed the largest share, estimated at $28.237 billion, an increase of 2.2% year over year and of fibres and yarns reached $3.605 billion, up 13.08%.
While, overseas shipments of non-woven fabrics reached $610 million, growing by 7.77% from a year ago period.
Industry experts believe that despite positive export results in the first nine months of 2026, Vietnamese textile and garment businesses are still facing many unpredictable variables from the market.
Specifically, they are heavily impacted by adjustments in trade policies and tariff barriers from major consumer markets.
According to VITAS Vice President Truong Van Cam, the textile and garment industry is being significantly impacted by adjustments in trade policies and tariff barriers in key consumer markets.
In the US – Vietnam’s largest textile and garment export market – domestic textiles and garments are currently subject to a 12.5% tariff, higher than the 10% tariff imposed on some competing textile and garment exporting countries.
According to Cam, this tariff difference could impact selling prices, the ability to retain orders, and market share amidst rising production and logistics costs.
Besides tariff pressures, the prices of raw materials, supplies, spare parts, and transportation costs tend to increase. Delays in the delivery of fabrics and raw materials also prolong production time, affecting delivery schedules.
Orders in the final months of the year are diversified. Some businesses have received orders until the end of September or October, while some knitting businesses have orders to maintain production until the end of the year.
Conversely, many garment businesses are still slow to finalize orders for the fourth quarter.
In response to this situation, businesses are shifting their focus from prioritizing production volume to securing high value-added orders with favourable trade conditions and ensuring production efficiency.
Image courtesy: Vietnam.vn
