Vietnam textile industry combats pandemic with PPE switch: Forbes
A surge in demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) from the manufacturing sector in Vietnam due to COVID-19 pandemic, along with the orders that flowed in from around the world helped to buoy the country’s important garment-making industry with many manufacturers rejigging their facilities to produce PPE, said an article on the forbes.com website.
Hanoi(VNA) – A surgein demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) from the manufacturing sectorin Vietnam due to COVID-19 pandemic, along with the orders that flowed in fromaround the world helped to buoy the country’s important garment-making industrywith many manufacturers rejigging their facilities to produce PPE, said an article on the forbes.com website.
The article citedstatistics from Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade showing that there aremore than 6,000 garment factories and textile mills in the country, and thesector employed some 3 million workers in 2020.
The Vietnamesegovernment had initially restricted the export of goods, such as face masks,to ensure there was an adequate domestic supply to help combat the virus.But once the restrictions were lifted in March of last year, Vietnam’smanufacturers exported almost 1.2 billion masks through to December 2020 toNorth America, Europe and around Asia, it noted.
The article mentioned as an example Vietnam Goods and Exports (VGE)which turned to making cloth face masks.
It quoted VGE founder Anh Tran as saying that he made thedecision to switch in early 2020, and sees an ongoing demand for hisproduct.
“Despite vaccines now rolling out, the [Centers for DiseaseControl] is still recommending people to wear masks because it is a slowrollout, and there are still many at-risk people you can affect or be affectedby,” he said.
“If vaccines are effective, you will probably see a drop-offin the wearing of masks near the end of 2021, but from now until then, it isstill a massive industry that just exploded overnight.”
“Vietnam hasdefinitely become a shining star in the global PPE trade in 2020 because priorto that most PPE was manufactured in China or the United States,” he added./.
Vietnam’s garment-textile export turnover is projected at 38-39 billion USD in 2021, Le Tien Truong, Chairman of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) said on December 29.
The US Treasury Department’s labelling of Vietnam as a currency manipulator is groundless and certainly significantly affects the psychology of the Vietnamese business community, especially those operating in the import and export field, according to Hoang Quang Phong, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
Vietnam’s garment-textile sector sets a target of 39 billion USD in export revenue this year, equal to that of 2019, according to the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex).
The textile and apparel industry, which managed to survive three waves of COVID-19 thanks to its decision to produce face masks and personal protective equipment, will focus on sportswear and yarn, according to the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group.
Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung reviewed key milestones in the bilateral relationship, underscoring the essential and sustained contribution by businesses from both countries, from the time before the normalisation of bilateral ties in 1995 until today, when the two sides are comprehensive stategic partners of each other.
According to targets adopted at the fifth Party Congress of the Management Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (HEPZA) on June 22, the zones aim for average capital attraction of 8–10 million USD per hectare, with a 70% disbursement rate of registered capital achieved on schedule.
This year’s event attracted more than 350 entries from cities and provinces across the country, reflecting growing interest in and commitment to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The new Government decree also simplifies loan procedures while expanding credit incentives to include organic and circular agriculture, allowing them to access preferential terms similar to those of high-tech and value-chain based agricultural production.
Developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Da Nang FTZ is designed to become a leading regional economic centre and a strategic growth pole in Vietnam’s new development landscape.
The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
