Vietnam – Interest in Wool Textiles Grows

The Vietnam textile industry is the fourth largest apparel exporter in the world (after China, the EU and Bangladesh), accounting for 5.8% of world apparel exports in 2021. AWI first identified Vietnam as an emerging manufacturing hub for wool textiles in 2012 when the Vietnam textile industry began to focus on moving toward high-quality products and production.

Since then, AWI has worked closely with partners throughout the supply chain. AWI has transferred technical knowhow about the manufacturing of wool products, disseminated information about sources of raw materials and machines, and organised international trade missions to connect project partners with buyers.

AWI currently collaborates with about 100 partners including flatbed knitters, circular knitters and garment making companies. In recent years, AWI has also worked with Vietnamese domestic brands to produce their first wool collections which have successfully sold in the domestic market.

The country now boasts a robust wool supply chain including spinning, weaving, knitting and whole garment manufacturing. This vertical integration means designers, brands and buyers can source all their garment requirements from the one country, cutting out logistical times and dealing with many suppliers.

In 2023, AWI plans to increase its activities in Vietnam such as participation in its first tradeshow in Hanoi, working with two local brands on their wool collections, and partnering with Austrade in Vietnam for Vietnam Fashion Week to showcase Australian fibres and celebrate 50 years of cooperation between Australia and Vietnam. Source: AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine.