As global apparel brands prioritize supply chain resilience and digital agility, the third edition of the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to define the 2026 sourcing landscape. Opening today at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, the event features 460 exhibitors across 18,000 square meters, representing a 20% expansion in floor space. This year’s focus shifts from simple garment assembly toward tadvanced textile technologies, a sector critical for Vietnam’s goal to reach $48 billion in exports. By introducing the ‘Innovation & Digital Solutions Zone,’ the fair highlights AI-driven prototyping and automated material inspection systems - technologies designed to offset rising labor costs and meet the rapid lead times demanded by modern e-commerce.
Sustainable fibers and the circular economy mandate
The 2026 forum serves as a strategic testing ground for the ‘Econogy Hub,’ an initiative aligning Southeast Asian manufacturers with the European Union’s increasingly stringent textile waste regulations. With Vietnam’s home textile segment projected to hit $4 billion by 2030, exhibitors are showcasing closed-loop dyeing processes and bio-based polyurethane fabrics. Tuyen Pham, General Director, Hohenstein Laboratories Vietnam, emphasizes, the industry is no longer in a ‘fiber race’ but a ‘systems race,’ where transparency and chemical traceability are the new prerequisites for global contracts. The inclusion of new Türkiye and German pavilions underscores a burgeoning cross-continental partnership aimed at vertical integration, moving the region beyond its historical reliance on imported raw materials.
VIATT is ASEAN’s premier B2B platform covering the full textile value chain, from raw yarns to finished apparel and machinery. Hosted annually in Ho Chi Minh City by Messe Frankfurt, the fair targets a $48 billion export milestone for Vietnam. Key categories include technical textiles, eco-certified fabrics, and AI-integrated manufacturing solutions for the global Spring/Summer 2027 season.
