Vietnam’s apparel exports to member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) rose 16.49 per cent in the first half of the year. Although the CPTPP has yet to come into force, exports to its member countries increased 23 per cent. The respective growth rates in Japan, the European Union, South Korea and China were 24.6 per cent, 13.2 per cent, 28 per cent and 50 per cent.

Export turnovers were recorded for many high-demand products across major export markets. The United States remained the largest market for Vietnam’s apparel products, accounting for over 46 per cent of the total turnover.

Vietnamese enterprises have adapted to changes in export markets and applied modern technologies to production. Some have invested in robots, each of which can replace up to 60 workers, enabling the company to better meet export orders.

However, the sector is under pressure, prompted by the US-China trade war. It now faces risks involving the exchange rate because of the devaluation of the Chinese yuan. For sustainable development of the sector, enterprises are enhancing their competitiveness with technological applications to complete orders in shorter periods of time and provide quality products for customers, besides working to meet environmental and labor requirements.