The total export value of the textile and garment industry is forecast to reach about US$33.5-34 billion this year, a year-on-year decrease of 14-15 per cent, but higher than the forecast of $30-31 billion in April.

The input material supply from China ha resumed, but some American and European buyers have asked to delay deliveries for the orders they had previously placed.

The COVID-19 pandemic has left Vietnam’s textile and garment sector in deep trouble because of rising order cancellations and delays, but some producers have found a way around and been able to weather the storm.

Temporary factory closures and imminent layoffs are going to push textile and garment enterprises into deep water due to a lack of raw materials as well as mass order cancellations from European and American buyers.

Even if COVID-19 is brought under control by May, the textile and garments industry will take a damage of $480 million, with Vinatex taking $43 million.

Vietnam National Garment and Textile Group (Vinatex) will ask for the Government’s permission to export anti-virus products as a measure to overcome difficulties caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In mid-March, when Chinese factories began resuming operation, material supplies to Vietnamese textile and garment enterprises were restored.

The Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) is exerting efforts to produce around 6 million antibacterial face masks in February to meet increasing demand amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized that it was necessary to settle six problems in the textile and garment industry to avoid losing important export markets.

To take advantage of free trade agreements and expand exports, meeting rules of origin is crucial for the garment and textile sector, industry insiders have said.

Vietnam has been unable to gain export growth to all CPTPP member countries, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Vietnam’s textile and garment industry was likely to reach its target of US$40 billion in export turnover this year despite facing difficulties in some markets.

The possibility of Vietnam’s textile industry hitting its target of $40 billion in exports this year is getting slimmer.

VietNamNet Bridge - Provincial authorities are turning down dyeing and weaving project proposals because of the pollution they cause to communities.

 VietNamNet Bridge – In June 2017 the Viet Nam National textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) listed on UPCoM under the ticker VGT at VND13,500.

VietNamNet Bridge - While Vietnamese garment companies think the domestic market is too small, foreign investors consider Vietnam the "new land" to exploit, with the garment market worth $4.5 billion. 

The uncertainties of the EU economy with the Italian PM stepping down and the UK & Northern Ireland leaving the EU will adversely affect Vietnam’s exports to the large markets.

VietNamNet Bridge - Export growth has been slowing down for textile and garment firms, but the industry has not made a decision to target the domestic market.

VietNamNet Bridge - Experts have warned that millions of Vietnamese workers, especially in the electronic parts, footwear and garment industries, will become redundant because of the use of robots at factories.