Vietnam's huge textile and garment export industry is struggling to compete with cheaper and more diverse imports in the local market, mainly because of an immature support structure.
Customers losing interest in locally-made products
Big industries such as garments and textiles, leather shoes, mobile phones and electronics products have high outsourcing costs, making prices higher than products from neighbouring countries.
Clothing products from China and Thailand are cheaper and have a wider range. Online shopping has opened Vietnam to US and EU makers.
The Vietnam National Textile Garment Group said only 20 percent of textile companies give priority to the domestic market, and the focus of local firms is on export, particularly with advent of the ASEAN Trade Bloc this year and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which slashes tariffs across the board.
