In May alone, the footwear sector fetched US$380 million, up 2.4 percent over the same period last year.

During the five-month period, the country earned US$325 million from the export of handbags, suitcases, hats and umbrellas, up 30.5 percent.

However, the MoIT warned that despite the achievement, the sector still faces difficulties due to an anti-dumping lawsuit and price spike, particularly the price of materials.

It urged the sector to adopt measures to improve export models, diversify products and expand markets to support long-term development.