To reduce their dependence on China, many garment and textile companies have shifted their production to Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam for the last few years. However, COVID-19 has halted this process. Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) discloses, till August 2020, foreign direct investment in Vietnam declined by 13.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2019. Textile and apparel exports by the country decreased 11.6 per cent during the first eight months of this year.

Vietnam is the world's third largest textile exporter after China and India. However, the industry has never been under so much pressure and changed plans so quickly as today, says Vu Duc, Giang, Chairman, VITAS. Global demand for apparels is down which impacted order volumes in all major markets.

Riding over the crisis

To survive the crisis, many textile and garment manufacturers in Vietnam have switched to mask making, informs Frank Weiand, a supply chain localization consultant at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Hanoi. A company fast becoming Vietnam’s face of high-quality of garment manufacturing is Dony Garment. An international exporter of protective clothing and face masks, the company fabricates uniforms and garment products on order. During COVID-19, it shifted production to protective clothing and premium quality face masks. Today, the company donates 5 per cent of its income to social welfare just like its donation of 100,000 face masks to the US.

The 3-ply face mask developed through closed sterilization technology by Dony Garment can be reused. The mask is made from antimicrobial Cotton which helps it to fight the spread of the coronavirus besides protecting it against UV light. The anti-droplet face mask’s breathing resistance is human friendly. It is also eco-friendly, skin-friendly, and economical.

Dony Garments exports masks and other PPE products to six continents and countries like the US, Australia, and Europe. The company proves a good alternative for consumers to looking beyond China for PPEs and masks from China. The company books mega shipments for worldwide exports every day. Besides face masks, Dony Garments also excels in making personal protective equipment. Currently it makes protective overall and isolation gown for health workers across the world. PPEs are certified to prescribed standards. Apart from the PPEs and masks Dony Garment also designs uniforms for healthcare workers. The uniforms are made from high-quality materials and are available at reasonable rates. Dony Garment also customizes T-shirt designs at its factories. These T-shirts are made from 100 per cent cotton and are very cool, smooth and soft.