When people say Vietnam is a garment powerhouse, they usually mean the clothing that leaves its ports. The more useful story starts earlier. Vietnam makes clothes from fabric that is mostly bought abroad, and every step of that chain leaves a trace in trade data under its own HS code. Follow the codes and you can see who supplies the fabric, who sews it and who buys the finished garments.
The scale is large. Vietnam's textile and garment exports were around US$46 billion in 2025 including yarn and fibre, with textiles and garments on their own near US$40 billion. The United States takes about 44% of the value. On the other side of the ledger, Vietnam imports roughly US$15 billion of fabric a year, with China the largest supplier. This guide uses Vietnam garments export data and Vietnam textiles export data to show how the two sides fit together.
The Chain in Five Stages
Each stage of clothing production sits in a different part of the HS system. The table shows where to look and whether Vietnam mainly buys or sells at that stage.
| Stage | HS chapters | Examples | Vietnam's role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fibre | 52, 55 | Raw cotton, polyester staple fibre | Mainly imports |
| 2. Yarn | 52, 54, 55 | Cotton yarn, polyester filament yarn | Imports and exports |
| 3. Fabric | 52 to 55, 60 | Woven cotton cloth, knitted fabric | Mainly imports |
| 4. Garments | 61, 62 | T-shirts, sweaters, trousers, jackets | Mainly exports |
| 5. Trims | 58, 96 | Labels, elastic, zips, buttons | Imports and exports |
Stage 1 and 2: Fibre and Yarn (HS 52, 54, 55)
Vietnam grows almost no cotton, so it imports it, mainly from the United States, Brazil and parts of Africa. Spinning mills turn that cotton and imported polyester fibre into yarn. Yarn is one of the few parts of the chain where Vietnam is also a seller: China is the largest buyer of Vietnamese yarn. In recent years yarn volumes have risen while prices have stayed under pressure from competition in India and China.
Stage 3: Fabric (HS 52 to 55 and 60)
Fabric is the weak link in the domestic chain. Weaving and knitting mills in Vietnam supply only part of what garment factories need, so the rest is imported, mostly from China, with South Korea, Taiwan and Japan next. If you want to find fabric suppliers into Vietnam, search the import records for HS 5208 to 5212 (woven cotton), 5407 and 5512 (woven synthetic) and 6001 to 6006 (knitted fabric).
Stage 4: Garments (HS 61 and 62)
Chapter 61 covers knitted or crocheted clothing, and chapter 62 covers woven clothing. Together they make up the bulk of what Vietnam exports. The table lists the headings buyers search most often.
| HS code | What it covers | Typical buyers' interest |
|---|---|---|
| 6109 | T-shirts, singlets and vests, knitted | Basic wear, private label, promotional |
| 6110 | Sweaters, pullovers and hoodies, knitted | Fashion brands, winter ranges |
| 6104 and 6204 | Women's suits, dresses, trousers | Retail chains, workwear |
| 6103 and 6203 | Men's suits, jackets, trousers | Formal and casual lines |
| 6201 and 6202 | Overcoats, anoraks and padded jackets | Outdoor and sports brands |
| 6205 | Men's shirts, woven | Office wear, uniforms |
| 6112 and 6211 | Track suits, ski suits and swimwear | Sportswear and activewear |
A useful trick: search chapters 61 and 62 for exporters, then take the top names and look them up in the import records. The fabric they buy tells you which mills they depend on.
Stage 5: Trims and Accessories (HS 58 and 96)
Labels, ribbons and elastic sit under chapter 58, while zips, buttons and snap fasteners fall under heading 9607 and 9606. These are small in value, but they are a good place for new suppliers to enter, because every garment order needs them.
How to Trace One Product End to End
| Step | Where to search | What you learn |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Export records, HS 6109 or 6203 | Which factories ship your garment and to whom |
| 2 | Import records of those factories | Which fabric and trims they buy and from where |
| 3 | Import records, HS 5208 or 6006 | Which fabric mills supply Vietnamese factories |
| 4 | Compare unit prices | Whether a factory's cost base is competitive |
| 5 | Shortlist suppliers | Factories and mills with steady, repeat shipments |
What Records Reveal About a Garment Factory
- Fabric source: a factory that imports from several mills has flexibility, while one tied to a single mill depends on it.
- Order pattern: repeated shipments to the same buyers show stable programmes.
- Product mix: a mix of 6109 and 6110 points to knitwear. Heavy use of 6203 and 6201 points to woven and outerwear.
- Price level: unit price per piece shows whether a factory makes basics or higher-end styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HS code for garments from Vietnam?
Knitted garments fall under chapter 61, and woven garments under chapter 62. Common codes include 6109 for T-shirts and 6203 for men's suits and trousers.
Does Vietnam make its own fabric?
Partly. Vietnam has spinning, weaving and knitting mills, but garment factories still import a large share of their fabric, mainly from China.
Who buys Vietnamese garments?
The United States is the largest buyer, followed by Japan, South Korea and the European Union.
How can I find fabric suppliers to Vietnam?
Search the import records for fabric codes such as 5208, 5407 or 6006, then group the results by supplier name.
Search Both Sides of the Chain
Start with Vietnam garments export data to find factories and buyers, then open Vietnam textiles export data to look at yarn and fabric. If you need help connecting the two, send us an enquiry.
Disclaimer: Vietnam Import Export Data provides shipment records and trade datasets. We do not buy or sell any products. For purchasing or selling enquiries, please contact the importers and exporters listed in our datasets.
