The market outlook and direction for 2026 were revealed by Vu Duc Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) at a press briefing on January 12.

Assessing the 2026 business landscape, Giang noted that Vietnam still has significant room to enhance the added value of its products.

The industry will no longer rely on mass production but will focus on the high-intellectual-content segment. As evidence of this shift, VITAS chairman noted that Garco 10 Corporation is currently producing suits for Japanese and US markets on a made-to-measure basis for individual customers rather than mass production.In this process, manual labour accounts for up to 60%, while machinery handles only 40%. 

Another company in 2025 completed an order of 6.8 million single-piece shirts for global markets. To meet such requirements, enterprises must invest in technology, management, and flexible supply chains instead of competing mainly on low prices.

In broader terms, 2025 was considered a year in which the industry overcame major challenges to reach US$46 billion in export turnover, up 5% from 2024.

Vietnamese textile and garment products are now present in 138 markets, with the United States being the largest destination at more than US$18 billion. Vietnam continues to rank among the world’s top three apparel exporters, alongside China and Bangladesh.

However, challenges in 2026 are expected to remain significant, as input costs, such as wages, energy, and logistics, rise sharply while selling prices struggle to increase at the same pace, squeezing profit margins.

Textile and garment exports maintain growth momentum amid shifting tariffs

VOV.VN - Vietnam's textile and garment sector sustained its growth trajectory in the first half of 2025 despite global uncertainties and new reciprocal tariffs imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump, while maintaining the upward trend seen since the latter half of 2024.