Vietnam
Socialist Republic of Vietnam │ Việt Nam
The garment sector in Vietnam has enjoyed remarkable growth in the last two decades. It becomes one of the country’s largest industries, generating exports of more than USD 40 billion in 2023. The industry now provides jobs for more than 2.7 million people, who in turn support millions of other family members through the wages they earn in the factories. More than 70 per cent of garment workers are women, most of whom are young and most of whom are internal migrants from rural areas.
As a source of more secure and better paid jobs for many, the garment sector has grown to become an important driver of poverty reduction and socio-economic development in Vietnam. There are around 3,800 textile and garment factories in the country, around 70 per cent of which are producing readymade garments. Most garment firms produce at the cut-make-trim end of the value chain. Around 800 factories are producing for direct export, mostly to brands and retailers in North America, Europe and Japan.
Population
Total
98,858,950 (2023)
Gross Domestic Product
GDP per Capita (constant USD, thousand)
$3,655.46 (2022)
Human Development Index Ranking
HDI Rank (out of 191 countries)
107 (2022)
Garment/Textile Workers
Number of workers in the garment/textile sector
2,700,000 (2023)
Women Workers in the Garment/Textile Industry
Percentage of women workers employed in the garment/textile industry
72.6% (2023)
Number of Garment/Textile Factories
Number of factories in the garment/textile industry
3,800 (2023)
Garment/Textile Industry Exports
(USD$ billion)
USD 40 billion (2023)
Garment/Textile Industry Size
Percentage of total exports
11.3% (2023)
Minimum Wage
Monthly minimum wage in USD
USD 142 - USD 205 (2024)
Key Garment/Textile Export Markets
Top five countries ($USD value exported and subsequent percentage)
| Country | Percentage of Exports |
|---|---|
| United States | 39.78% |
| European Union | 10.53% |
| Japan | 9.76% |
| South Korea | 8.78% |
Government Entities
Government agencies actively involved in the garment/textile industry
Worker Organizations
Trade unions, Union federations, and other worker organizations
Employer/Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce
Employers and industry related associations, private sectors associations and chambers of commerce
Development Agencies/ International Organizations
National and international development organizations working within the garment/textile industry
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
- GIZ FABRIC Asia
- Decent Work in Garment Supply Chains Asia (ILO)
Civil Society Organizations/ Non-governmental Organizations
Organizations working within the garment/textile industry
Sources of data provided
- Population: https://population.un.org/dataportal/data/indicators/49/locations/586,50,116,608,764,144,704/start/2023/end/2023/table /
- GDP Per Capita: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.KD
- HDI: https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data#/countries/VNM
- Garment / Textile Workers: https://www.mof.gov.vn/webcenter/portal/vclvcstc/pages_r/l/chi-tiet-tin?dDocName=MOFUCM282822
- Women Workers in the Garment /Textile Industry: https://www.ilo.org/infostories/en-GB/Stories/discrimination/garment-gender#the-global-garment-industry-a-bird%E2%80%99s-eye-view-(1)
- Number of Garment / Textile Factories: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/phat-trien-cong-nghiep/don-duong-cho-nganh-det-may-tien-vao-chuoi-cung-ung-toan-cau.html" \l ":~:text=Theo%20s%E1%BB%91%20li%E1%BB%87u%20th%E1%BB%91ng%20k%C3%AA%20t%E1%BB%AB%20Hi%E1%BB%87p%20h%E1%BB%99i%20d%E1%BB%87t%20may,l%C3%A0%20c%C3%A1c%20c%C6%A1%20s%E1%BB%9F%20nhu%E1%BB%99m.
- Garment / Textile Industry Exports: https://www.gso.gov.vn/en/data-and-statistics/2023/03/exports-and-imports-value-by-months-of-2023/
- Garment / Textile Industry Size: https://www.gso.gov.vn/en/data-and-statistics/2023/03/exports-and-imports-value-by-months-of-2023/
- Minimum Wage: https://tradingeconomics.com/vietnam/minimum-wages
- Key Garment / Textile Export Markets (2022): https://www.gso.gov.vn/en/data-and-statistics/2022/03/exports-and-imports-value-by-months-of-2022/
Vietnam's Textile Industry: The Need for Up-Skilling and Innovation
6 questions for Mr Truong Van Cam, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), on the topic of Skills Development.
What's going on in Vietnam?
In our section "What's going on in..." we sharpen the view on key garment production centres, and talk to experts about current developments and exciting topics in these countries. Here, we speak with Labour Researcher Dr. Do Chi Quynh about the evolution of labour rights and working conditions in the Vietnamese garment and textiles industry and what the future has in store for the industry and its workers.
News on Vietnam
Extreme Heat Threatens Workers in Asia Amid New EU Rules
Rising heat in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Pakistan jeopardizes garment workers’ safety, with “wet-bulb” temperatures exceeding safe thresholds 42% more often than before. New EU laws demand multinational brands address these risks by improving factory cooling systems and worker protections.
Read MoreVietnam Suspends Chinese E-Retailer Temu Over Registration Issues
Vietnam has suspended Chinese retailer Temu for missing a registration deadline. Authorities raised concerns about the authenticity of Temu's cheap goods and their impact on local manufacturers. Its operations remain uncertain amid wider investigations in Europe over illegal product sales.
Read MoreVietnam Passes New Trade Union Law, Granting Rights to Foreign Workers
Vietnam's amended Trade Union Law, passed on November 27, expands rights for workers, including foreign employees with 12-month contracts, to join trade unions. It takes effect July 1, 2025.
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