From the 6 billion pieces produced annually to the 300 million units of activewear surging out of factories, Vietnam's fashion industry is not just stitching garments—it's weaving an economic powerhouse that contributed a staggering 16% to the nation's GDP in 2023.
Key Takeaways
- Vietnam's fashion industry contributed approximately 16% to the country's total GDP in 2023, with a market value exceeding $40 billion.
- The domestic fashion retail market in Vietnam grew by 12.5% year-on-year in 2023, reaching VND 150 trillion (about $6.2 billion).
- Vietnam's apparel sector saw a 10.8% increase in revenue during the first half of 2023 compared to 2022, totaling $22.1 billion.
- Vietnam's total textile and garment production capacity exceeded 6 billion pieces annually in 2023.
- Garment factories in Vietnam produced 2.2 billion units of apparel in 2023, a 9% increase from 2022.
- Synthetic fiber production in Vietnam reached 1.2 million tons in 2023, supporting 70% of fashion raw materials.
- Vietnam's apparel exports totaled $44 billion in 2023, making it the world's 3rd largest exporter.
- Exports to the US accounted for $18.6 billion (42%) of Vietnam's fashion exports in 2023.
- EU market received $10.2 billion in Vietnamese apparel exports in 2023, up 8%.
- Vietnam's fashion industry employed 2.7 million direct workers in 2023, 12% of industrial workforce.
- Female workers comprised 80% of Vietnam's garment workforce in 2023.
- Average monthly wage in fashion sector rose to VND 8.5 million ($350) in 2023.
- 65% of fashion exports used sustainable materials in 2023 initiatives.
- Water usage in fashion production reduced by 20% to 15 billion liters in 2023.
- 40% of Vietnamese brands adopted eco-friendly dyes by end of 2023.
Vietnam's fashion industry is a rapidly growing economic powerhouse and major global exporter.
Employment and Labor
- Vietnam's fashion industry employed 2.7 million direct workers in 2023, 12% of industrial workforce.
- Female workers comprised 80% of Vietnam's garment workforce in 2023.
- Average monthly wage in fashion sector rose to VND 8.5 million ($350) in 2023.
- 1.2 million workers in northern Vietnam's fashion clusters in 2023.
- Southern provinces like Binh Duong hosted 900,000 fashion workers in 2023.
- Vocational training programs certified 250,000 fashion workers in 2023.
- Youth under 30 made up 55% of fashion industry employees in 2023.
- Overtime hours averaged 120 per worker annually in garment factories in 2023.
- 500,000 new jobs created in fashion sector in 2023 due to FDI.
- Union membership in fashion industry reached 85% of workers in 2023.
- 15% increase in skilled labor force to 1.1 million in fashion by 2023.
- Migrant workers in fashion hubs numbered 700,000 in 2023.
- Garment workers' training hours totaled 12 million in 2023.
- Labor productivity in fashion rose 8.5% to $5,200/worker/year 2023.
- 75,000 workers upskilled in automation for fashion in 2023.
- Child labor in fashion sector reduced to under 0.5% in 2023.
- Minimum wage in textile zones increased 6% to VND 4.68M in 2023.
- 40% of workers received health insurance coverage in fashion 2023.
- Strikes in garment sector dropped 20% to 150 incidents in 2023.
- Female manager ratio in fashion firms reached 28% in 2023.
- 300,000 rural workers migrated to fashion jobs in 2023.
- Digital skills training for 100,000 fashion workers in 2023.
Employment and Labor Interpretation
Vietnam's fashion industry is a powerhouse sewn together by the threads of youthful ambition and relentless overtime, where women stitch the nation's economic fabric while slowly weaving in better wages, skills, and a stronger collective voice.
Export and Trade
- Vietnam's apparel exports totaled $44 billion in 2023, making it the world's 3rd largest exporter.
- Exports to the US accounted for $18.6 billion (42%) of Vietnam's fashion exports in 2023.
- EU market received $10.2 billion in Vietnamese apparel exports in 2023, up 8%.
- Japan imported $4.5 billion worth of fashion goods from Vietnam in 2023.
- South Korea's apparel imports from Vietnam reached $3.8 billion in 2023.
- Footwear exports from Vietnam hit $23.5 billion in 2023, 2nd globally.
- Vietnam's fashion exports to China grew 15% to $2.1 billion in 2023.
- UK imports of Vietnamese apparel increased to $2.8 billion post-Brexit in 2023.
- Australia sourced $1.9 billion in fashion from Vietnam in 2023 under CPTPP.
- Canada imported $1.4 billion of apparel from Vietnam in 2023.
- Vietnam's exports to EU under EVFTA grew 16% to $9.8 billion in 2023.
- Exports to Japan under CPTPP reached $4.2 billion in apparel 2023.
- US-Vietnam apparel trade surplus for Vietnam was $15.8 billion in 2023.
- Germany's imports from Vietnam: $2.1 billion in fashion 2023.
- France sourced $1.7 billion apparel from Vietnam in 2023.
- Netherlands apparel imports from Vietnam: $1.9 billion 2023.
- Vietnam's fashion re-exports (via FTZs) valued $3.5 billion in 2023.
- Tariff reductions boosted exports by 11% under trade agreements 2023.
- 55% of Nike's global footwear made in Vietnam, exports $12B in 2023.
- Adidas Vietnam production exported $4.1 billion worth in 2023.
Export and Trade Interpretation
While Vietnam has clearly stitched up a dominant position as the world's third-largest apparel exporter, these threads of data reveal it's not just about cheap labor anymore, but a sophisticated, tariff-savvy powerhouse expertly weaving a global tapestry of trade deals from the US to the EU, and even managing to get its foot securely in the door as the world's second-largest shoe exporter.
Market Overview
- Vietnam's fashion industry contributed approximately 16% to the country's total GDP in 2023, with a market value exceeding $40 billion.
- The domestic fashion retail market in Vietnam grew by 12.5% year-on-year in 2023, reaching VND 150 trillion (about $6.2 billion).
- Vietnam's apparel sector saw a 10.8% increase in revenue during the first half of 2023 compared to 2022, totaling $22.1 billion.
- The e-commerce fashion segment in Vietnam accounted for 28% of total online retail sales in 2023, valued at $2.8 billion.
- Luxury fashion market in Vietnam expanded by 18% in 2023, driven by urban millennials, reaching $1.2 billion.
- Fast fashion segment dominated 55% of Vietnam's apparel market share in 2023 with sales of $22 billion.
- Vietnam's fashion industry FDI inflows reached $2.5 billion in 2023, primarily from South Korea and Japan.
- The second-hand fashion market in Vietnam grew 25% YoY in 2023 to $450 million.
- Vietnam's sportswear market within fashion reached $1.8 billion in 2023, up 14% from 2022.
- Children's apparel segment in Vietnam's fashion industry valued at $1.5 billion in 2023, growing 11%.
- Vietnam's fashion exports to US grew 12.3% to $16.4 billion in 2022.
- Total textile exports from Vietnam reached $40.1 billion in 2022.
- Garment export turnover was $35.2 billion, up 10.4% in 2022.
- Vietnam held 6.3% global apparel export market share in 2022.
- Footwear exports valued at $21.8 billion in 2022 from Vietnam.
- Leather goods exports reached $1.1 billion in 2022.
- Handbag exports from Vietnam totaled $850 million in 2022.
- Vietnam's fashion industry grew at CAGR 7.2% from 2018-2023.
Market Overview Interpretation
While luxury is strutting at an 18% clip and fast fashion is gobbling up over half the market, Vietnam's $40 billion fashion industry is clearly stitching together a future that is both wildly lucrative and increasingly diverse, with e-commerce, sportswear, and even second-hand threads all growing like weeds.
Production Statistics
- Vietnam's total textile and garment production capacity exceeded 6 billion pieces annually in 2023.
- Garment factories in Vietnam produced 2.2 billion units of apparel in 2023, a 9% increase from 2022.
- Synthetic fiber production in Vietnam reached 1.2 million tons in 2023, supporting 70% of fashion raw materials.
- Vietnam manufactured 450 million pairs of footwear for fashion export in 2023.
- Knitwear production in Vietnam's fashion sector hit 1.5 billion garments in 2023.
- Over 6,000 garment enterprises operated in Vietnam in 2023, producing for global brands.
- Fabric weaving mills in Vietnam produced 800 million meters of fabric for fashion in 2023.
- Denim production capacity in Vietnam reached 150 million meters annually in 2023.
- Vietnam's dyeing and finishing capacity processed 1.8 billion meters of fabric in 2023.
- Activewear production surged to 300 million units in Vietnam's factories in 2023.
- Binh Duong province produced 25% of national garment output in 2023.
- Dong Nai factories output 18% of Vietnam's apparel in 2023.
- Ho Chi Minh City hosted 1,500 garment firms producing 800 million units in 2023.
- Cotton yarn production reached 450,000 tons in Vietnam 2023.
- Spandex fiber output was 45,000 tons for fashion use in 2023.
- Over 200 million jeans produced in Vietnam's denim mills in 2023.
- Home textile production (bedding, curtains) hit $2.5 billion equivalent in 2023.
- 350 million T-shirts manufactured for export in 2023.
- Shirt production totaled 250 million units across factories in 2023.
Production Statistics Interpretation
Vietnam's fashion industry is stitching itself a global empire, one of every six people on the planet could be wearing something they made last year, and frankly, they're just getting warmed up.
Sustainability and Trends
- 65% of fashion exports used sustainable materials in 2023 initiatives.
- Water usage in fashion production reduced by 20% to 15 billion liters in 2023.
- 40% of Vietnamese brands adopted eco-friendly dyes by end of 2023.
- Recycled polyester usage in apparel reached 25% in 2023 exports.
- Carbon emissions from fashion sector dropped 12% to 5.2 million tons CO2e in 2023.
- 200 factories certified Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) in 2023.
- Athleisure trend boosted sales by 22% in Vietnam's fashion market in 2023.
- Digital fashion design tools adopted by 60% of firms in 2023.
- Vegan leather production grew 35% to 50 million units in 2023.
- Streetwear segment sales hit $900 million, up 28% in urban Vietnam 2023.
- Organic cotton farming for fashion expanded to 10,000 hectares in 2023.
- 30% reduction in plastic packaging in fashion retail by 2023.
- Solar power installed in 500 factories, 20% energy use in 2023.
- Biodegradable fabrics used in 15% of local brands 2023.
- Fashion waste recycling rate hit 35% nationally in 2023.
- Upcycled clothing sales grew 40% to $200 million in 2023.
- Pharrell Williams-inspired streetwear trend sales +30% 2023.
- K-pop influenced fashion imports surged 25% in 2023.
- Sustainable fashion e-commerce grew 45% to $500M in 2023.
- 50 Vietnamese brands certified Fair Trade in 2023.
Sustainability and Trends Interpretation
Vietnam's fashion industry spent 2023 not just chasing trends, but running a remarkably efficient race toward sustainability, cleverly stitching together ethical production, digital innovation, and global cultural currents into a surprisingly green and profitable tapestry.
Sources & References
- Reference 1VITASvitas.org.vnVisit source
- Reference 2STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 3VIETNAM-BRIEFINGvietnam-briefing.comVisit source
- Reference 4BAINbain.comVisit source
- Reference 5EUROMONITOReuromonitor.comVisit source
- Reference 6VIETNAMWORKSvietnamworks.comVisit source
- Reference 7THREDUPthredup.comVisit source
- Reference 8NPDnpd.comVisit source
- Reference 9GLOBALDATAglobaldata.comVisit source
- Reference 10GSOgso.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 11VIETNAMTEXTILEvietnamtextile.org.vnVisit source
- Reference 12LEFASOlefaso.vnVisit source
- Reference 13TEXTILEVIETNAMtextilevietnam.comVisit source
- Reference 14MODmod.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 15DENIMVIETNAMdenimvietnam.comVisit source
- Reference 16TDFtdf.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 17SPORTSWEAR-ASIAsportswear-asia.comVisit source
- Reference 18OTEXAotexa.comVisit source
- Reference 19ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 20JFTCjftc.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 21KOREATRADEkoreatrade.org.vnVisit source
- Reference 22VERIFIEDMARKETRESEARCHverifiedmarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 23CUSTOMScustoms.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 24UKFTukft.orgVisit source
- Reference 25DFATdfat.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 26INTERNATIONALinternational.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 27ILOilo.orgVisit source
- Reference 28VAMOSIvamosi.vnVisit source
- Reference 29HANOIhanoi.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 30BINHDUONGbinhduong.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 31FAIRLABORfairlabor.orgVisit source
- Reference 32MOHISAmohisa.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 33VGCLvgcl.vnVisit source
- Reference 34GSgs.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 35WWFwwf.org.vnVisit source
- Reference 36GREENPEACEgreenpeace.orgVisit source
- Reference 37TEXTILEEXCHANGEtextileexchange.orgVisit source
- Reference 38UNEPunep.orgVisit source
- Reference 39ZDHCzdhc.orgVisit source
- Reference 40FASHIONUNITEDfashionunited.comVisit source
- Reference 41PETApeta.orgVisit source
- Reference 42HYPEBEASThypebeast.comVisit source
- Reference 43TRADEtrade.govVisit source
- Reference 44ENen.vietnamplus.vnVisit source
- Reference 45WTOwto.orgVisit source
- Reference 46OECoec.worldVisit source
- Reference 47MORDORINTELLIGENCEmordorintelligence.comVisit source
- Reference 48DONGNAIdongnai.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 49HCMChcmc.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 50VIETNAMTEXTILEvietnamtextile.spintex.vnVisit source
- Reference 51DENIMHUNTERSdenimhunters.comVisit source
- Reference 52HOMETEXTILEVIETNAMhometextilevietnam.comVisit source
- Reference 53APPARELRESOURCESapparelresources.comVisit source
- Reference 54SHIRTSVNshirtsvn.comVisit source
- Reference 55TRADEtrade.ec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 56JAPAN-CUSTOMSjapan-customs.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 57USTRustr.govVisit source
- Reference 58DESTATISdestatis.deVisit source
- Reference 59DOUANEdouane.gouv.frVisit source
- Reference 60CBScbs.nlVisit source
- Reference 61CUSTOMScustoms.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 62WORLDBANKworldbank.orgVisit source
- Reference 63NIKEINCnikeinc.comVisit source
- Reference 64ADIDAS-GROUPadidas-group.comVisit source
- Reference 65MOLISAmolisa.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 66WAGEINDICATORwageindicator.orgVisit source
- Reference 67VHFvhf.orgVisit source
- Reference 68LABOURRIGHTSlabourrights.orgVisit source
- Reference 69WEFORUMweforum.orgVisit source
- Reference 70RURALDEVruraldev.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 71DIGITALdigital.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 72BETTERCOTTONbettercotton.orgVisit source
- Reference 73MOITmoit.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 74EVNevn.com.vnVisit source
- Reference 75VIETFASHIONvietfashion.netVisit source
- Reference 76MONREmonre.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 77VOGUEvogue.comVisit source
- Reference 78KOFICEkofice.or.krVisit source
- Reference 79SHOPEEshopee.vnVisit source
- Reference 80FAIRTRADEfairtrade.netVisit source