Using Technology to Address Branding Issues in the Clothing Sector
According to Mr. Truong Van Cam, Permanent Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), the application of scientific and technological advancements will address the current weakness in brand building.
On March 15, VITAS and C.S.P Co., Ltd. organized a seminar on Style3D digital solutions for the garment industry.
Opportunities and challenges for Vietnam's textile and garment industry
Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Truong Van Cam, Permanent Vice Chairman and General Secretary of VITAS, highlighted the remarkable progress of Vietnam's textile and garment industry. In 2001, when Vietnam first implemented the bilateral trade agreement with the U.S., the industry’s export turnover stood at $1.6 billion. By 2022, this figure had surpassed $44 billion, a 22.6-fold increase, averaging over 20% annual growth.
Currently, Vietnam’s textile and garment sector is heavily export-oriented, accounting for 85% of total production. However, this focus on exports brings significant challenges.
Challenges:
The industry faces fierce competition from textile-exporting powerhouses like China and Bangladesh. Additionally, Vietnam's textile and garment sector is directly impacted by global fluctuations. For example, in 2019, the industry achieved $39 billion in export turnover, but this dropped to $35 billion in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023, the combined effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and adverse global economic conditions led to an export decline of nearly 11% compared to 2022, marking the steepest drop in recent years.
Another major challenge is the increasingly stringent requirements in import markets. For instance:
Europe has introduced sustainable textile strategies, advocating for slow fashion over fast fashion.
Legislation on forced labor prevention (U.S.) and traceability requirements (U.S. and EU) have become stricter.
Brands demand faster delivery times and self-reliance in design, materials, and supply chain management.
Opportunities:
Despite these challenges, the garment industry has significant opportunities. Sixteen free trade agreements, including CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP, are in the process of reducing tariffs to 0%, paving the way for export growth.
The Vietnamese government has also approved a development strategy for the textile and garment industry through 2030, with a vision toward 2035. The strategy aims for:
6.5–6.8% annual growth,
Export turnover of $68–70 billion by 2030,
Self-sufficiency in materials,
Increased domestic consumption and export under domestic brands.
“These important directions require businesses to leverage advancements in science and technology to address current weaknesses, such as brand building,” emphasized Mr. Truong Van Cam.
Adopting Style3D Technology:
Representatives from C.S.P Co., Ltd. introduced the benefits of Style3D technology, which accelerates processes from design and prototyping to production.
Traditionally, creating a physical sample could take up to 336 hours, involving multiple steps before being sent to the customer. If the sample was rejected, it would be stored, resulting in waste. However, with Style3D technology, a sample can be completed in just 2–3 hours, or 1–2 days at most, significantly reducing time.
Virtual sample making on Style3D
The application of technology not only speeds up the design phase but also updates trends and uses virtual models, saving costs for businesses. This helps meet increasingly stringent delivery deadlines from brands.
During the seminar, industry experts and business representatives discussed transitioning from OEM/CM models to ODM/FOB models. Attendees also experienced practical demonstrations, such as fabric scanning systems, real-time fabric testing, and creative fashion design using tablet applications.
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