According to statistical data, Vietnam’s textile and apparel industry maintained its growth momentum during the first nine months of 2026. The industry’s total export turnover was estimated at USD 35.721 billion, representing a 3.3% increase year-on-year. Garments accounted for the largest share, with estimated exports reaching USD 28.237 billion, up 2.2% year-on-year. Meanwhile, yarn and thread exports were estimated at USD 3.605 billion, marking a 13.08% increase, while nonwoven fabric exports reached an estimated USD 610 million, up 7.77% compared to the same period last year.
Source: Chương trình quốc gia về Sản xuất và Tiêu dùng bền vững
Mục lục
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 has entered into force, establishing the legal framework for the Digital Product Passport (DPP) across multiple product categories, including textiles, which will be subject to specific regulations in the future.
- The first Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) Working Plan includes textiles, particularly apparel, with the adoption of sector-specific legislation expected in 2027.
- On February 9, 2026, the European Commission adopted a delegated act and an implementing act addressing the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories, and footwear, as well as related disclosure requirements.
- According to the DPP webinar timeline published by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), the ESPR delegated act for textiles is expected to be adopted in the third or fourth quarter of 2027, with mandatory DPP implementation for textiles anticipated in 2029.
- On August 28, 2026, the European Commission published an initiative concerning green public procurement criteria for apparel under Article 65 of the ESPR.
- Directive (EU) 2024/825, which addresses consumer protection in relation to environmental claims and greenwashing, became applicable on September 27, 2026.
- Directive (EU) 2025/1892 requires EU Member States to establish national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles and footwear by April 17, 2028.
- Green transition is becoming a mandatory requirement: Major markets, particularly the European Union (EU) and the United States, are increasingly tightening environmental standards, requiring businesses to comply in order to maintain access to export markets.
- Increasing green trade barriers: Regulations such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and climate-related disclosure requirements are putting growing pressure on businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ensure product traceability, and improve supply chain transparency.
- The textile and apparel industry must undergo a comprehensive transformation: The industry is moving toward ecodesign, sustainable raw materials, reduced use of hazardous chemicals, improved recyclability, and compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements.
- Product transparency and traceability: The Digital Product Passport (DPP), introduced under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), provides a framework for sharing information on raw materials, manufacturing processes, environmental impacts, and product recyclability.
- Transition to Green Energy: The textile and apparel industry, particularly weaving, dyeing, and finishing processes, needs to increase the use of renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions. However, high investment costs, limited supportive policies, and challenges in implementation mechanisms remain significant barriers.
- Greening Water and Chemical Management: Businesses must invest in wastewater treatment systems, adopt water-saving dyeing technologies, and eliminate hazardous chemicals, creating substantial financial and technological pressures.
- Promoting a circular economy and recycling: Businesses need to strengthen the collection and recycling of fabric scraps and post-consumer textile products for reuse in production. However, recycling technologies, collection infrastructure, and supporting policies still face numerous challenges.
According to statistics from the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), domestic fabric production currently reaches approximately 2.3 billion m² per year, meeting around 25% of domestic market demand. Therefore, Vietnam's total fabric demand is estimated at approximately 9.2 billion m² per year.
- Developing fiber recycling centers: Applying advanced technologies to recycle fabric scraps and used clothing into high-quality recycled fibers and yarns, reducing waste and conserving raw materials. This is an important solution for promoting a circular economy in the textile and apparel industry.
- Promoting product repair, refurbishment, and take-back programs: Encouraging businesses to collect, repair, and resell used clothing to extend product lifespans, reduce waste, and limit the fast fashion model.
- Implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR): Gradually shifting from paying waste treatment fees to taking responsibility for collecting and recycling post-consumer textile and apparel products. At the same time, it is necessary to improve relevant policies and establish mandatory recycling rates appropriate to Vietnam's conditions.
- Prioritizing suppliers that meet green standards: Select suppliers capable of using clean energy, managing wastewater and chemicals, and incorporating recycled materials to meet the requirements of the EU and US markets.
- Proactively ensuring product traceability: Require suppliers to provide transparent information on fiber composition, raw material origins, manufacturing processes, and relevant certifications in preparation for the Digital Product Passport (DPP) under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
- Verifying sustainability claims: Review claims such as "environmentally friendly," "made with recycled materials," and "reduced carbon emissions," and require verifiable supporting evidence to minimize the risk of greenwashing.
- Proactively planning orders and compliance costs: Engage with suppliers early to assess production capacity, green transition roadmaps, investment costs, and their ability to comply with new EPR, ESPR, and DPP requirements.
- Accounting for US Import Tariffs: Factor the 12.5% US tariff into import costs unless the product is exempt, and confirm the applicable Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code with the customs broker.
Nguồn:
Nguyễn Thi. (2024). Xanh hóa ngành dệt may, vươn mình thoát khỏi bẫy gia công. VietNamNet. https://vietnamnet.vn/xanh-hoa-nganh-det-may-vuon-minh-thoat-khoi-bay-gia-cong-2460092.html
InfoDPP. (2026). Textiles and apparel: DPP readiness under ESPR. https://infodpp.eu/en/industries/textiles/
