Sourcing from Vietnam · Vietnam → World
Sourcing Garments and Textiles from Vietnam: Verified Factories and Mills
Vietnam is one of the largest garment exporters in the world, producing for global brands in knitwear, wovens, activewear, outerwear and more. GLG helps brands and importers find verified factories that match their product and compliance needs, then manages inspection, consolidation and shipping.
Key products
- Knitwear: T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts and baby wear
- Wovens: shirts, blouses, trousers and dresses
- Activewear, sportswear and swimwear
- Outerwear: jackets, padded and down garments, technical outdoor wear
- Denim jeans and jackets
- Underwear, lingerie and socks
- Workwear, uniforms and protective clothing
- Home textiles, towels and bedding
- Cotton, polyester and blended yarn, knitted and woven fabrics
Sourcing regions
- TP.HCM and Đông Nam Bộ (including Đồng Nai and Tây Ninh) – a dense cluster of garment, yarn and fabric factories
- Hà Nội and the Red River Delta (Hưng Yên, Ninh Bình, Bắc Ninh) – large garment groups and textile mills
- Hải Phòng and Quảng Ninh – newer export factories and industrial parks near deep-water ports
- Đà Nẵng, Huế and the Central region – garment factories and yarn spinning
- Nghệ An and Thanh Hóa – fast-growing garment production with large workforces
Common HS codes
| HS code | Description |
|---|---|
| 52 | Cotton, cotton yarn and woven cotton fabrics |
| 55 | Man-made staple fibres and yarns |
| 60 | Knitted or crocheted fabrics |
| 61 | Apparel, knitted or crocheted |
| 62 | Apparel, not knitted or crocheted |
| 63 | Other made-up textile articles, including home textiles |
HS codes are indicative. Confirm the exact classification of your product before you declare it.
Certifications buyers ask for
- Social compliance audits: amfori BSCI, WRAP, SA8000 or SMETA
- Higg Facility Environmental and Social modules for many international brands
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for tested textiles
- GOTS, OCS, GRS or RCS for organic and recycled content claims
- ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 management systems
- Supply chain traceability documentation for cotton origin, especially for the US market
Logistics notes
- Garments ship in cartons by FCL or LCL; consolidation in a Vietnamese warehouse helps combine orders from several factories.
- Garment on hanger containers are available for fashion items that must arrive ready for display.
- Southern factories ship via Cát Lái and Cái Mép, northern factories via Hải Phòng, with direct services to the US and Europe.
- Air freight or sea-air is used for urgent or seasonal launches when production is delayed.
- The peak shipping season for autumn and holiday collections usually runs from mid-year; book space early.
Sourcing tips
- Match factory type to your order: CMT, FOB with fabric sourcing, or full-package ODM development.
- Check minimum order quantities per style and colour, and the factory's fabric sourcing network.
- Verify social and environmental audit reports and check for unauthorised subcontracting.
- Plan rules of origin early: preferential duty under some FTAs depends on where yarn and fabric are made.
- Use inline and final inspections with an agreed AQL level and a sealed approved sample for each style.
Vietnam as a garment and textile origin
Vietnam is among the top garment exporters globally, with factories that produce for leading sportswear, fashion and outdoor brands. The industry covers spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing and garment making, although many factories still import a large share of fabric. Strengths include technical outerwear, activewear, knitwear and complex constructions that need skilled operators. Investment in local fabric mills, dyeing and recycled materials is gradually reducing dependence on imported inputs.
Business models and FTA considerations
| Model | What the factory provides | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| CMT (cut, make, trim) | Labour and sewing; buyer supplies materials | Buyers with their own fabric supply |
| FOB | Sources fabric and trims, makes and packs | Most brands and importers |
| ODM / full package | Design support, development, sourcing, production | Brands needing product development |
Rules of origin matter. Under EVFTA, garments generally need fabric woven or knitted in Vietnam or a qualifying origin to receive preferences, while CPTPP generally applies a yarn-forward rule with some exceptions. Discuss origin with the factory before choosing fabric suppliers.
How GLG sources and verifies
We shortlist factories by product type, capacity, minimum order quantities and compliance level, then verify business registration, export history, social and environmental audit status and certificates. Factory visits check production lines, sample room capability, quality systems and whether work is subcontracted. We coordinate proto, fit and pre-production samples and run inline and final inspections.
Buying process and terms
A typical cycle runs from tech pack and costing, through proto and fit samples, to approval of pre-production samples, bulk fabric testing and production. FOB Vietnamese port is the most common term. Payment is often by letter of credit or by deposit and balance against documents, while larger brands may use open account with established suppliers.
Quality control and testing
Good garment quality control starts with fabric: check shrinkage, colour fastness, weight and composition on bulk fabric before cutting. Inline inspection during sewing catches workmanship problems early, while a final random inspection at 80 to 100 percent packed checks measurements, appearance, labels, packing and carton marks against the approved sample. For children's wear and products sold in the EU or the US, plan chemical and safety testing at accredited laboratories, for example for restricted substances, small parts and drawstrings. GLG coordinates these steps and shares inspection reports with photos so that you can approve shipment or request rework before the goods leave the factory.
Risks to manage
- Delays in fabric and trim deliveries that push back shipment dates.
- Unauthorised subcontracting to factories that have not been audited.
- Quality differences between approved samples and bulk production.
- Origin or traceability gaps that block FTA preferences or US market entry.
- Capacity pressure in peak season leading to rushed production.
Ask for a clear time and action calendar for each order and review it weekly with the factory.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order quantity for Vietnamese garment factories?
It varies widely by factory and product. Large export factories often expect higher quantities per style and colour, while smaller factories can accept trial orders.
Can garments from Vietnam enter the EU duty free?
Under EVFTA, many garments can receive reduced or zero duty if they meet the rules of origin, which generally require fabric made in Vietnam or a qualifying origin.
Can you consolidate orders from several factories?
Yes. We can receive goods from different factories at our warehouse, check them and load them together into one container to your destination.
GLG connects, verifies and coordinates, but is not a party to the sales contract: the purchase agreement, price and performance obligations are between buyer and seller. Verification and inspection results reflect conditions at the time of the check and do not guarantee future performance.