Vietnam's textile and garment industry has set its 2026 export target at $47 billion to $47.5 billion, with preliminary export figures reaching $33.66 billion as of September 15. Market diversification, local sourcing, and green and digital transformation are seen by the industry as key paths to securing orders amid fluctuating demand and rising trade barriers.

Key Points

  • Vietnam's textile and garment industry has set a 2026 export target of $47 billion to $47.5 billion, with preliminary exports of $33.66 billion as of September 15.
  • Vietnamese textile and garment products have entered 137 countries and regions, with the United States accounting for about 40% of overseas shipments.
  • Many enterprises are directing about 65% to 68% of total investment into infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

According to local media reports, this phased progress reflects expanded market access, advancing technology application, and stronger value chain connectivity. Vu Duc Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), attributed the results to flexible strategies, corporate adaptability, and progress in green and digital transformation.

In terms of export reach, Vietnamese textile and garment products now cover 137 countries and regions. The United States is the largest single market, accounting for about 40% of overseas shipments; the EU, South Korea, Japan, China, and ASEAN are also mature markets, while Africa and the Middle East are seen as potential directions for diversifying market risk.

Vu Duc Giang stated that green and digital transformation have become essential components of the industry's 2026-2030 development phase and even its long-term vision through 2035. Enterprises are introducing automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence into management and production, with many investing about 65% to 68% of total investment in infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

On the manufacturing side, multiple green investments are being advanced in parallel: gradually installing rooftop solar power, upgrading wastewater treatment systems, and increasing the use of environmentally friendly materials to align with Vietnam's 2050 net-zero emissions target.

Vu Duc Giang also called on local authorities to build specialized chemical industrial parks equipped with centralized wastewater treatment facilities and compliant with international standards. Such infrastructure is considered helpful for attracting textile dyeing investment and easing domestic raw material and auxiliary supply bottlenecks.

For the used clothing and recycled fiber industry, Vietnam's current green transformation offers two observation windows: first, if local dyeing and auxiliary production capacity is strengthened by the establishment of specialized parks, it will affect its attractiveness as a base for recycled raw material processing and garment exports; second, the rising share of environmentally friendly materials and increased digital investment will also change the positioning of upstream recycled materials and recycled yarn in the local supply chain.

Source: Vietnam textile exports target $47.5 bn on green shift - Fibre2Fashion · Originally published on 2026-10-04