The inaugural edition of the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) will raise curtains next week from 28 February – 1 March 2024 in Halls A and B1 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC). Hosted by Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), this is the first trade fair organised by Messe Frankfurt and VIETRADE.
The organisers were pleased to realise the comprehensive show so soon after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last March, and with a promising initial outcome are optimistic it will help shape the future of Southeast Asia’s textile industry. Set to host over 400 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, amidst prominent domestic confidence, the fair will cover apparel fabrics, yarns and fibres, and garments; home textiles; as well as technical textiles and nonwovens, textile processing, and printing technology.
Speaking at the show launch press conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms Wendy Wen, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, addressed the significance of VIATT to the entire textile value chain: “The reason we picked Vietnam to launch our very first integrated textile fair in Asia is because we recognise its potential. Vietnam is currently the third-largest exporter of textiles and garments, and one of the world’s most significant importers of textile machinery, fabrics, yarns and fibres.”
After highlighting that the Group’s Texpertise Network organises over 50 textile shows across 12 countries, and connects over 500,000 global industry participants, Ms Wen continued: “Through VIATT, we are all very excited to bring international trade, products and innovations to the fast-developing market in Vietnam aided by the country’s pro-trade and travel policies. To further highlight the latest domestic and international market trends, the debut edition of VIATT will focus on sustainability, design and trends, market strategies and technological advancements. This will be apparent across the diverse booths of our exhibitors, and at our business-friendly fringe programme.”
Fashion show to paint an eco-friendly picture
Due to greater recent attention paid to its fashion industry, Vietnam has developed brands both domestically and internationally, in addition to servicing apparel multinationals. Featuring Kilomet 109, a Vietnamese designer, the VIATT fashion show (Hall B1) will kick off exclusively for VIPs on the first day of the fair. Under the theme of “Sustainable Fashion, Around the World”, the event will bring different countries and regions together on their fashion industry sustainability efforts. The second session will be open to both industry professionals and the public. Representatives from China, Hong Kong, and Thailand will join hands to showcase their sustainable collections.
Seminars to present a blueprint of industry trends and technology
The three-day fringe programme will be categorised into four key themes that are shaping the industry’s future, namely Design & Trends, Market Strategies, Textile & Nonwoven Technologies, and Sustainability. Key exhibitors and textile players will conduct over 14 seminars to provide insights, showcase products, and connect with fairgoers, with one topic per theme highlighted below:
Design & Trends
Alongside an assistant professor, the panel discussion “Unveiling Hong Kong’s Fashion Landscape: Young Designers’ Creativity Nurturing” will feature three young fashion designers who graduated from the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi). The discussion will cover the evolving landscape of the design industry, highlight its growth potential, striking a balance between creativity and customer expectations, and more.
Market Strategies
Due to its high export volume to the US and EU markets, Vietnamese textile manufacturers have become increasingly aware of environmental impacts in their supply chains. The country’s eco-textile development is also heavily influenced by garment factories that service a wide range of international brands. Under the topic of “The Strategy of Taiwan Textile Sustainable Development”, the presentation by Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) will focus on the decarbonisation of manufacturing processes and materials development, collaboration between government and industry on resource circularity, and provide examples of how textile mills are addressing the above issues.
Textile & Nonwoven Technologies
In recent years, technology has been one of the major growth drivers for Vietnam’s garment and textile industry1. In order to remain competitive, domestic manufacturers will invest in technology to increase productivity and quality. Through the panel discussion “Connected Digital and Supply Chain Apparel Solutions for Greater Visibility with Maximum Efficiency and Better Consumer Engagement”, the uniquely positioned Avery Dennison will show retailers that everything can be connected, and why this is a game changer for the industry.
Sustainability
As a result of raising living standards, there has been an increasing demand for high-quality fashion and home textiles in Southeast Asia. Featuring TOUCHABLE, a well-known Thai home furnishings brand committed to upcycling and reducing waste, the Thai Industrial Hemp Trade Association (TiHTA) will present “Hemp For All, Growing Sustainable Hemp Fibre Together”.
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