Vietnam footwear exports to top US$6.2 bln: Institute

Vietnamese leather and footwear exports could top US$6.2 billion this year, according to the Leather and Footwear Research Institute. They were worth US$5.3 billion last year.

"The leather and footwear sector has posted impressive growth in recent years to become the third biggest export earner behind garment and textile and crude oil," the Ministry of Industry and Trade-run institute said.

There are more than 700 firms operating in the sector, employing 700,000-750,000 workers, of whom 80 per cent are women.

Vietnam ranks fourth globally in footwear exports, selling its products to 50 countries and territories, with the EU, US, and Japan being the main buyers. The main export items are sports, canvas, and leather shoes and sandals.