Picture a nation stitching its way to global dominance, one of the 2.5 billion garments it expertly produced last year at a remarkable 85% factory capacity.
Key Takeaways
- Vietnam's apparel industry produced 2.5 billion pieces of garments in 2022, marking a 8.5% increase from 2021.
- Capacity utilization in Vietnam's apparel factories averaged 85% in Q4 2023, up from 78% in the same period of 2022.
- Knitwear production in Vietnam reached 1.2 billion units in 2023, representing 48% of total apparel output.
- Vietnam's apparel exports totaled USD 44 billion in 2023, a 12% rise from 2022.
- US market received 45% of Vietnam's apparel exports worth USD 19.8 billion in 2023.
- EU imports from Vietnam apparel hit USD 18 billion in 2022 under EVFTA.
- Apparel industry employed 2.8 million workers in 2023, 12% of manufacturing workforce.
- Female workers comprised 80% of Vietnam apparel labor force at 2.24 million in 2023.
- Average monthly wage in apparel sector was VND 7.5 million in 2023, up 8% YoY.
- FDI in Vietnam apparel reached USD 3.2 billion in 2023, 25% of total FDI.
- South Korean firms invested USD 1.1 billion in apparel in 2023.
- New apparel factories from FDI totaled 150 in 2023, creating 50,000 jobs.
- Recycled material usage in apparel reached 15% of production in 2023.
- Water usage per garment reduced to 120 liters in top factories by 2023.
- Carbon emissions from apparel industry targeted 20% cut by 2030.
Vietnam's apparel industry shows strong growth with rising production and high factory utilization.
Employment and Labor Force
- Apparel industry employed 2.8 million workers in 2023, 12% of manufacturing workforce.
- Female workers comprised 80% of Vietnam apparel labor force at 2.24 million in 2023.
- Average monthly wage in apparel sector was VND 7.5 million in 2023, up 8% YoY.
- 1.2 million migrant workers in apparel industry from rural areas in 2022.
- Training programs reached 500,000 apparel workers in 2023 on skills upgrading.
- Overtime hours averaged 60 per month per worker in peak seasons 2023.
- Youth employment (under 25) in apparel was 35% or 980,000 workers in 2023.
- Unionized workers in apparel factories stood at 2.1 million in 2022.
- Labor productivity per worker reached USD 5,200 annually in 2023.
- 15,000 new jobs created in apparel sector in H1 2023.
- Skill gap affected 40% of apparel workers needing upskilling in 2023.
- Part-time workers in apparel numbered 200,000 in 2022.
- Female manager ratio in apparel firms was 25% in 2023.
- Turnover rate in apparel factories averaged 18% in 2023.
- Vocational training centers for apparel trained 150,000 workers yearly in 2023.
- Child labor incidents in apparel dropped to under 1% or 10,000 cases in 2022.
- Digital skills training covered 300,000 apparel workers in 2023.
- Apparel sector absorbed 500,000 laid-off workers post-COVID by 2023.
Employment and Labor Force Interpretation
Vietnam's apparel industry is a massive, feminized engine of economic mobility, stitching together opportunities for millions of rural migrants and youth, yet the fabric of its workforce is visibly strained by long hours, high turnover, and a persistent gap between rising wages and the skills needed to truly advance.
Export Performance
- Vietnam's apparel exports totaled USD 44 billion in 2023, a 12% rise from 2022.
- US market received 45% of Vietnam's apparel exports worth USD 19.8 billion in 2023.
- EU imports from Vietnam apparel hit USD 18 billion in 2022 under EVFTA.
- Japan accounted for 15% of Vietnam apparel exports at USD 6.6 billion in 2023.
- Knit apparel exports reached USD 22 billion in 2023, 50% of total apparel.
- Footwear-integrated apparel exports valued USD 5 billion to ASEAN in 2022.
- Vietnam overtook Bangladesh as 2nd largest apparel exporter to US in 2023 with 20% share.
- Activewear exports grew 25% to USD 8 billion in 2023.
- Denim jeans exports to Europe reached 50 million pieces worth USD 2.5 billion in 2022.
- Women's dresses exports totaled USD 4.2 billion in 2023, up 18%.
- Shirt exports to South Korea hit USD 3 billion in 2022.
- Total apparel export orders for 2024 projected at USD 48 billion.
- China market for Vietnam apparel exports grew to USD 1.5 billion in 2023.
- Sustainable apparel exports certified under GOTS reached USD 1.2 billion in 2023.
- E-commerce apparel exports via platforms like Amazon hit USD 800 million in 2023.
- Vietnam's apparel export growth to UK post-Brexit was 22% to USD 2.1 billion in 2023.
- Polo shirts exports totaled 100 million units worth USD 1.8 billion in 2022.
- Vietnam apparel FOB value averaged USD 8.5 per kg in 2023.
- Export share of high-value apparel rose to 35% in 2023 from 25% in 2020.
Export Performance Interpretation
In 2023, Vietnam stitched together a $44 billion tapestry of global dominance, cleverly threading nearly half of its wardrobe through American doors while steadily weaving more high-value and sustainable garments into the mix, proving it's not just sewing but strategically dressing the world.
Foreign Direct Investment
- FDI in Vietnam apparel reached USD 3.2 billion in 2023, 25% of total FDI.
- South Korean firms invested USD 1.1 billion in apparel in 2023.
- New apparel factories from FDI totaled 150 in 2023, creating 50,000 jobs.
- Chinese FDI in apparel supply chain was USD 800 million in 2022.
- US brands' direct investment hit USD 500 million for apparel in 2023.
- Cumulative FDI stock in apparel sector reached USD 25 billion by 2023.
- Taiwanese apparel investors committed USD 400 million in H1 2023.
- FDI-driven tech upgrades cost USD 1.5 billion in apparel 2022-2023.
- Japanese FDI in apparel grew 15% to USD 600 million in 2023.
- 70% of FDI in apparel went to southern provinces in 2023.
- New FDI projects approved: 200 in apparel sector 2023.
- Singapore's apparel FDI was USD 300 million focused on logistics in 2023.
- FDI return on investment in apparel averaged 12% in 2022.
- Italian luxury apparel FDI reached USD 150 million in 2023.
- FDI in sustainable apparel facilities: USD 700 million since 2020.
- Hong Kong investors poured USD 450 million into apparel in 2023.
- FDI concentration in knitwear: 40% of total apparel FDI in 2023.
- Disbursed FDI in apparel was USD 2.8 billion in 2023.
- Vietnam ranked 3rd in FDI attraction for apparel globally in 2023.
- Domestic investment in apparel matched FDI at USD 3 billion in 2023.
Foreign Direct Investment Interpretation
Vietnam’s apparel sector is being stitched into the global economic fabric at a dizzying pace, with a whopping $3.2 billion in foreign investment last year proving that everyone from Seoul to Milan now wants a piece of the action.
Production Volume and Capacity
- Vietnam's apparel industry produced 2.5 billion pieces of garments in 2022, marking a 8.5% increase from 2021.
- Capacity utilization in Vietnam's apparel factories averaged 85% in Q4 2023, up from 78% in the same period of 2022.
- Knitwear production in Vietnam reached 1.2 billion units in 2023, representing 48% of total apparel output.
- Woven garments accounted for 1.8 billion pieces produced in Vietnam in 2022, with a CAGR of 7% from 2018-2022.
- Vietnam's apparel sector installed 15,000 new sewing machines in 2023, boosting production efficiency by 12%.
- Home textile production within apparel industry hit 500 million units in 2022, growing 10% YoY.
- Active apparel factories in Vietnam numbered 6,200 in 2023, concentrated in Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces.
- Synthetic fiber usage in apparel production reached 1.1 million tons in 2022, up 15% from 2021.
- Cotton consumption for apparel in Vietnam was 450,000 tons in 2023, sourced 60% from imports.
- Denim production volume stood at 120 million meters in 2022, with 70% exported.
- Sportswear output increased to 350 million pieces in 2023, driven by Nike and Adidas orders.
- Women's apparel production comprised 55% of total output at 1.38 billion pieces in 2022.
- Children's clothing production reached 400 million units in 2023, up 9% YoY.
- Fabric dyeing capacity expanded to 800 million meters per year by end-2023.
- Garment export-oriented production was 90% of total apparel output in 2022.
- Leather apparel and accessories production hit 50 million units in 2023.
- Automated cutting lines in apparel factories increased to 2,500 units in 2023.
- Polyester apparel production volume was 900 million pieces in 2022.
- Sweater and knit production facilities produced 600 million pieces in 2023.
- Overall apparel production value reached VND 450 trillion in 2022.
- Apparel industry produced 2.5 billion pieces of garments in 2022, marking a 8.5% increase from 2021.
- Capacity utilization in Vietnam's apparel factories averaged 85% in Q4 2023, up from 78% in the same period of 2022.
- Knitwear production in Vietnam reached 1.2 billion units in 2023, representing 48% of total apparel output.
Production Volume and Capacity Interpretation
Vietnam's apparel industry is firing on nearly all stitched cylinders, humming along at 85% capacity to churn out billions of garments, while aggressively threading the needle between cotton and synthetics to outfit the world in everything from denim to sportswear.
Sustainability and Innovation
- Recycled material usage in apparel reached 15% of production in 2023.
- Water usage per garment reduced to 120 liters in top factories by 2023.
- Carbon emissions from apparel industry targeted 20% cut by 2030.
- 500 factories certified ISO 14001 for environmental management in 2023.
- Organic cotton adoption grew to 50,000 tons in apparel 2023.
- Energy efficiency improved 18% in apparel factories via solar by 2023.
- Zero-waste pattern-making adopted by 30% of factories in 2023.
- Chemical reduction in dyeing achieved 25% in 2023 pilots.
- R&D spending on green tech in apparel hit VND 5 trillion in 2023.
- Blockchain traceability implemented in 200 apparel supply chains 2023.
- Biodegradable packaging used for 40% exports in 2023.
- Women-led sustainability initiatives in 1,000 factories by 2023.
- AI-driven inventory reduced waste by 15% in apparel 2023.
- 25% growth in eco-labeled apparel sales in 2023.
- River pollution from apparel dyeing cut 30% since 2020.
- Digital design tools adoption reached 60% of firms in 2023.
- Circular economy pilots recycled 100,000 tons fabric in 2023.
- Fair Trade certified apparel factories: 150 in 2023.
- Automation reduced labor dependency by 20% sustainably in 2023.
- Biodiversity projects near apparel hubs protected 10,000 hectares.
- Vietnam apparel innovation index ranked 5th in ASEAN 2023.
- Nano-tech fabrics developed for 5% of production in 2023.
- ESG compliance in 40% of apparel exporters by 2023.
- Smart factory certifications: 100 apparel sites in 2023.
- 3D printing for prototypes saved 20% costs in 2023.
Sustainability and Innovation Interpretation
The Vietnamese apparel industry is stitching together a surprisingly green future, with recycled fabrics, cleaner rivers, and smarter factories proving that looking good no longer has to cost the earth its dignity.
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