Want to be in the loop?
subscribe to
our notification
Business News
TEXTILE AND GARMENT SECTOR POSTS NEARLY $10 BILLION TRADE SURPLUS IN H1
According to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), textile and garment exports reached an estimated US$22.2 billion in the first half, up 1.7 per cent from a year earlier.
Production at Tinh Lợi Garment Company in Hải Dương Province. — VNA/VNS Photo
HÀ NỘI — The textile and garment industry generated an estimated trade surplus of nearly US$10 billion in the first six months of this year, despite weak global demand, intense price competition and continued reliance on imported raw materials.
The industry is aiming to achieve its full-year export target of $48 billion.
According to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), exports reached an estimated $22.2 billion in the first half, up 1.7 per cent from the previous year.
Among export categories, shipments of fibres, fabrics, accessories and nonwoven fabrics posted growth of between 5.6 per cent and 10.6 per cent, while garment exports edged down 0.4 per cent as demand in major overseas markets remained subdued.
Export data for the first five months showed that the US remained Việt Nam's largest market, with shipments worth $6.81 billion, up 1.3 per cent year on year and accounting for around 45 per cent of total exports.
The European Union (EU) was a bright spot, with exports rising 8.8 per cent to $1.94 billion but shipments to Japan and South Korea fell 6.2 per cent and 8.9 per cent, respectively.
VITAS said the industry continues to face headwinds, including sluggish demand in key export markets, mounting price competition and dependence on imported raw materials, which account for 60-70 per cent of total inputs.
Rising compliance costs related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, stricter traceability requirements and uncertainties surrounding global trade policies are also adding pressure on exporters.
To meet its export target this year, the industry aims to maintain monthly exports of more than $4 billion in the second half.
VITAS said this would require companies to adapt to changing sourcing strategies adopted by global brands, expand domestic raw material supply, diversify export markets and products, strengthen risk management and accelerate investment in technology, automation and digital transformation. — VNS
Source: VNS
Related News
INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT
HÀ NỘI'S BUSINESSES URGE ACTION ON CAPITAL, LOGISTICS BOTTLENECKS TO BOOST EXPORTS
Business associations and enterprises in Hà Nội have urged the city to tackle bottlenecks in financing, logistics, infrastructure and regulations to improve competitiveness, expand production and support export growth, as the capital seeks to sustain double-digit economic expansion. Mạc Quốc Anh, vice chairman and secretary general of the Hanoi Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (Hanoisme), said exports were not simply about selling goods overseas but also reflected a company's production capacity, management, ability to meet international standards and reputation.
INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT
PORT THROUGHPUT IN HẢI PHÒNG EXCEEDS EIGHT-MONTH TARGET
Ports in the northern city of Hải Phòng handled an estimated 134.34 million tonnes of goods in the first eight months of 2026, exceeding the eight-month target of 115 million tonnes by 16.8 per cent and rising 11.74 per cent year on year, equivalent to 56.2 per cent of the full-year plan. The strong performance followed a series of measures to optimise port capacity and improve the competitiveness of the city’s seaport system, with a focus on maximising the efficiency of the Lạch Huyện international gateway port as new berths came into operation.
INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT
LÂM ĐỒNG BUILDS TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AS FOUNDATION FOR GROWTH
With its mountains, highlands and long coastline brought together under one administrative roof, the enlarged Lâm Đồng is now Việt Nam’s largest province by area – and a place where stronger transport links could help turn its diverse economic strengths into a more integrated engine of growth. Against this backdrop, the province is prioritising an integrated transport network to strengthen regional connectivity, expand development space and lay the foundation for sustainable socio-economic growth.
INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT
VIETNAM LOGISTICS COSTS ACCOUNT FOR 16 PER CENT OF GDP
Speaking at a logistics conference on August 26, Ho Thi Quyen, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre, said that Vietnam is now home to more than 34,000 logistics companies, with the sector contributing around 4.5-5 per cent of GDP. However, logistics costs remain high at approximately 16 per cent of GDP.
INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT
DOMESTIC DEMAND DRIVES STEEL GROWTH AS CONSTRUCTION GATHERS PACE
The steel industry recorded double-digit growth in both production and sales in the first seven months of 2026, while export remained more subdued, highlighting the increasing importance of domestic demand as public investment and construction activity expand. According to the World Steel Association, Việt Nam produced around 15.2 million tonnes of crude steel in the first half of 2026, up 26.9 per cent year-on-year, keeping the country among the world's 10 largest steel producers.
VIETNAM MONTHLY STATISTICAL DATA
INFOGRAPHIC SOCIAL-ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN AUGUST OF 2026
The monthly statistical data presents current economic and social statistics on a variety of subjects illustrating crucial economic trends and developments, including production of agriculture, forestry and fishery, business registration situation, investment, government revenues and expenditures, trade, prices, transport and tourism and so on.
Events Sponsors
