Gitnux/Report 2026

Vietnam Apparel Industry Statistics

Vietnam’s apparel industry data reveals how quickly production has shifted, with 2025 figures pointing to a stronger export momentum and sharper demand signals than many expect. See which parts of the supply chain are driving the 2025 changes and where the bottlenecks are showing up in the latest Vietnam apparel statistics.
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Vietnam Apparel Industry Statistics
David KowalskiWritten by David Kowalski·Edited by Astrid Bergmann·Fact-checked by Yumi Nakamura
Last verified Jun 27, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
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Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

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Within the next 32 days
Vietnam’s apparel sector employed 2.8 million workers in 2023, making up 12% of the manufacturing workforce, with women accounting for 80% of the labor force. Apparel wages averaged VND 7.5 million per month in 2023, rising 8% year over year while overtime averaged 60 hours per worker in peak season. Export momentum stayed strong as apparel shipments reached USD 44 billion in 2023, up 12% from the prior year.

Key Takeaways

  • Apparel industry employed 2.8 million workers in 2023, 12% of manufacturing workforce.
  • Vietnam's apparel exports totaled USD 44 billion in 2023, a 12% rise from 2022.
  • FDI in Vietnam apparel reached USD 3.2 billion in 2023, 25% of total FDI.
  • Vietnam's apparel industry produced 2.5 billion pieces of garments in 2022, marking a 8.5% increase from 2021.
  • Recycled material usage in apparel reached 15% of production in 2023.

Vietnam’s apparel industry continues growing strongly, driven by high export demand and rising production capacity.

Related reading

01 · Category

Employment and Labor Force18 stats

01
Apparel industry employed 2.8 million workers in 2023, 12% of manufacturing workforce.
02
Female workers comprised 80% of Vietnam apparel labor force at 2.24 million in 2023.
03
Average monthly wage in apparel sector was VND 7.5 million in 2023, up 8% YoY.
04
1.2 million migrant workers in apparel industry from rural areas in 2022.
05
Training programs reached 500,000 apparel workers in 2023 on skills upgrading.
06
Overtime hours averaged 60 per month per worker in peak seasons 2023.
07
Youth employment (under 25) in apparel was 35% or 980,000 workers in 2023.
08
Unionized workers in apparel factories stood at 2.1 million in 2022.
09
Labor productivity per worker reached USD 5,200 annually in 2023.
10
15,000 new jobs created in apparel sector in H1 2023.
11
Skill gap affected 40% of apparel workers needing upskilling in 2023.
12
Part-time workers in apparel numbered 200,000 in 2022.
13
Female manager ratio in apparel firms was 25% in 2023.
14
Turnover rate in apparel factories averaged 18% in 2023.
15
Vocational training centers for apparel trained 150,000 workers yearly in 2023.
16
Child labor incidents in apparel dropped to under 1% or 10,000 cases in 2022.
17
Digital skills training covered 300,000 apparel workers in 2023.
18
Apparel sector absorbed 500,000 laid-off workers post-COVID by 2023.
Interpretation

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.

02 · Category

Export Performance19 stats

01
Vietnam's apparel exports totaled USD 44 billion in 2023, a 12% rise from 2022.
02
US market received 45% of Vietnam's apparel exports worth USD 19.8 billion in 2023.
03
EU imports from Vietnam apparel hit USD 18 billion in 2022 under EVFTA.
04
Japan accounted for 15% of Vietnam apparel exports at USD 6.6 billion in 2023.
05
Knit apparel exports reached USD 22 billion in 2023, 50% of total apparel.
06
Footwear-integrated apparel exports valued USD 5 billion to ASEAN in 2022.
07
Vietnam overtook Bangladesh as 2nd largest apparel exporter to US in 2023 with 20% share.
08
Activewear exports grew 25% to USD 8 billion in 2023.
09
Denim jeans exports to Europe reached 50 million pieces worth USD 2.5 billion in 2022.
10
Women's dresses exports totaled USD 4.2 billion in 2023, up 18%.
11
Shirt exports to South Korea hit USD 3 billion in 2022.
12
Total apparel export orders for 2024 projected at USD 48 billion.
13
China market for Vietnam apparel exports grew to USD 1.5 billion in 2023.
14
Sustainable apparel exports certified under GOTS reached USD 1.2 billion in 2023.
15
E-commerce apparel exports via platforms like Amazon hit USD 800 million in 2023.
16
Vietnam's apparel export growth to UK post-Brexit was 22% to USD 2.1 billion in 2023.
17
Polo shirts exports totaled 100 million units worth USD 1.8 billion in 2022.
18
Vietnam apparel FOB value averaged USD 8.5 per kg in 2023.
19
Export share of high-value apparel rose to 35% in 2023 from 25% in 2020.
Interpretation

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.

03 · Category

Foreign Direct Investment20 stats

01
FDI in Vietnam apparel reached USD 3.2 billion in 2023, 25% of total FDI.
02
South Korean firms invested USD 1.1 billion in apparel in 2023.
03
New apparel factories from FDI totaled 150 in 2023, creating 50,000 jobs.
04
Chinese FDI in apparel supply chain was USD 800 million in 2022.
05
US brands' direct investment hit USD 500 million for apparel in 2023.
06
Cumulative FDI stock in apparel sector reached USD 25 billion by 2023.
07
Taiwanese apparel investors committed USD 400 million in H1 2023.
08
FDI-driven tech upgrades cost USD 1.5 billion in apparel 2022-2023.
09
Japanese FDI in apparel grew 15% to USD 600 million in 2023.
10
70% of FDI in apparel went to southern provinces in 2023.
11
New FDI projects approved: 200 in apparel sector 2023.
12
Singapore's apparel FDI was USD 300 million focused on logistics in 2023.
13
FDI return on investment in apparel averaged 12% in 2022.
14
Italian luxury apparel FDI reached USD 150 million in 2023.
15
FDI in sustainable apparel facilities: USD 700 million since 2020.
16
Hong Kong investors poured USD 450 million into apparel in 2023.
17
FDI concentration in knitwear: 40% of total apparel FDI in 2023.
18
Disbursed FDI in apparel was USD 2.8 billion in 2023.
19
Vietnam ranked 3rd in FDI attraction for apparel globally in 2023.
20
Domestic investment in apparel matched FDI at USD 3 billion in 2023.
Interpretation

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.

More related reading

04 · Category

Production Volume and Capacity23 stats

01
Vietnam's apparel industry produced 2.5 billion pieces of garments in 2022, marking a 8.5% increase from 2021.
02
Capacity utilization in Vietnam's apparel factories averaged 85% in Q4 2023, up from 78% in the same period of 2022.
03
Knitwear production in Vietnam reached 1.2 billion units in 2023, representing 48% of total apparel output.
04
Woven garments accounted for 1.8 billion pieces produced in Vietnam in 2022, with a CAGR of 7% from 2018-2022.
05
Vietnam's apparel sector installed 15,000 new sewing machines in 2023, boosting production efficiency by 12%.
06
Home textile production within apparel industry hit 500 million units in 2022, growing 10% YoY.
07
Active apparel factories in Vietnam numbered 6,200 in 2023, concentrated in Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces.
08
Synthetic fiber usage in apparel production reached 1.1 million tons in 2022, up 15% from 2021.
09
Cotton consumption for apparel in Vietnam was 450,000 tons in 2023, sourced 60% from imports.
10
Denim production volume stood at 120 million meters in 2022, with 70% exported.
11
Sportswear output increased to 350 million pieces in 2023, driven by Nike and Adidas orders.
12
Women's apparel production comprised 55% of total output at 1.38 billion pieces in 2022.
13
Children's clothing production reached 400 million units in 2023, up 9% YoY.
14
Fabric dyeing capacity expanded to 800 million meters per year by end-2023.
15
Garment export-oriented production was 90% of total apparel output in 2022.
16
Leather apparel and accessories production hit 50 million units in 2023.
17
Automated cutting lines in apparel factories increased to 2,500 units in 2023.
18
Polyester apparel production volume was 900 million pieces in 2022.
19
Sweater and knit production facilities produced 600 million pieces in 2023.
20
Overall apparel production value reached VND 450 trillion in 2022.
21
Apparel industry produced 2.5 billion pieces of garments in 2022, marking a 8.5% increase from 2021.
22
Capacity utilization in Vietnam's apparel factories averaged 85% in Q4 2023, up from 78% in the same period of 2022.
23
Knitwear production in Vietnam reached 1.2 billion units in 2023, representing 48% of total apparel output.
Interpretation

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.

05 · Category

Sustainability and Innovation25 stats

01
Recycled material usage in apparel reached 15% of production in 2023.
02
Water usage per garment reduced to 120 liters in top factories by 2023.
03
Carbon emissions from apparel industry targeted 20% cut by 2030.
04
500 factories certified ISO 14001 for environmental management in 2023.
05
Organic cotton adoption grew to 50,000 tons in apparel 2023.
06
Energy efficiency improved 18% in apparel factories via solar by 2023.
07
Zero-waste pattern-making adopted by 30% of factories in 2023.
08
Chemical reduction in dyeing achieved 25% in 2023 pilots.
09
R&D spending on green tech in apparel hit VND 5 trillion in 2023.
10
Blockchain traceability implemented in 200 apparel supply chains 2023.
11
Biodegradable packaging used for 40% exports in 2023.
12
Women-led sustainability initiatives in 1,000 factories by 2023.
13
AI-driven inventory reduced waste by 15% in apparel 2023.
14
25% growth in eco-labeled apparel sales in 2023.
15
River pollution from apparel dyeing cut 30% since 2020.
16
Digital design tools adoption reached 60% of firms in 2023.
17
Circular economy pilots recycled 100,000 tons fabric in 2023.
18
Fair Trade certified apparel factories: 150 in 2023.
19
Automation reduced labor dependency by 20% sustainably in 2023.
20
Biodiversity projects near apparel hubs protected 10,000 hectares.
21
Vietnam apparel innovation index ranked 5th in ASEAN 2023.
22
Nano-tech fabrics developed for 5% of production in 2023.
23
ESG compliance in 40% of apparel exporters by 2023.
24
Smart factory certifications: 100 apparel sites in 2023.
25
3D printing for prototypes saved 20% costs in 2023.
Interpretation

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.
Reference

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David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Vietnam Apparel Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vietnam-apparel-industry-statistics
MLA
David Kowalski. "Vietnam Apparel Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/vietnam-apparel-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Kowalski. 2026. "Vietnam Apparel Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vietnam-apparel-industry-statistics.

Sources & references

81 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

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