Vietnam’s textile and garment industry demonstrated resilience amidst a challenging global climate during the first half of 2026. According to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), total exports in the sector were estimated at 22.2 billion USD, marking a 1.7 percent year-on-year increase. While the overall figures reflect a positive trend, the industry's performance was nuanced; exports of fibers, fabrics, accessories, and non-woven materials recorded solid growth between 5.6 percent and 10.6 percent. Conversely, garment exports saw a slight contraction of 0.4 percent, primarily driven by weakened consumer demand in key markets.
The European fashion industry is navigating a critical turning point that could redefine the future of low-cost, high-volume clothing. For years, fast fashion operated as an unstoppable engine, capitalizing on lightning-fast production cycles and ultra-cheap pricing. However, a powerful combination of aggressive European Union regulations, mounting environmental pressure, and shifting consumer consciousness has initiated an unprecedented backlash against this throwaway culture.
The question of whether Europe can replace the United States as India’s largest apparel export market has gained urgency following a 9.5 percent decline in India’s readymade garment (RMG) exports to the US during fiscal 2025-26. This downturn occurred amid uncertainty regarding reciprocal tariffs and ongoing concerns over market concentration. Although Europe has delivered encouraging growth across various major destinations, data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S) suggests that replacing the US will require far more than incremental gains in individual markets.
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