Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies 2026 (VIATT 2026) opened in Ho Chi Minh City on February 26.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) and Germany’s Messe Frankfurt Group, the exhibition features nearly 1,000 booths from more than 450 companies representing 21 countries and territories.
With the participation of enterprises from Europe and Asia showcasing a wide range of textile and garment products, VIATT 2026 is a leading sourcing destination for textile buyers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and beyond. Notably, the event has expanded its Innovation and Digital Solutions Zone, bringing together advanced technologies to optimise design, production and supply chain management, ranging from AI-powered sample simulation to modern automation systems.
Meanwhile, the Trend Forum, making its debut at VIATT 2026, offers a strategic outlook for the Spring/Summer 2027 season, providing in-depth analyses across interconnected sectors. A highlight of the forum is its integrated Lifestyle Trends approach under the central theme of “Artisanship,” which demonstrates how trends evolve beyond traditional sectoral boundaries and reflect the increasingly close links among fashion, living spaces and technology.
Stephan Buurma, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt Group, said the organisers aim to facilitate business connections and serve as a trade bridge for enterprises, particularly in the Vietnamese market. VIATT 2026 offers businesses the opportunity to seek reliable partners and suppliers, strengthen trade ties, integrate more deeply into the global value chain, and proactively meet diverse domestic and international demand, he stated.
He added that enterprises can also enhance their capacity to comply with stringent rules of origin under new-generation free trade agreements, increase product added value, and contribute to the development of Vietnam’s textile and garment industry in line with global green and sustainable trends.
Several thematic forums and conferences will be held within the framework of the three-day event, including a textile industry forum on trade volatility in 2026 and a summit on Vietnam’s textile and garment development strategy, focusing on artificial intelligence applications, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, and compliance with international regulations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bui Quang Hung, Deputy Director of Vietrade, said the exhibition would create favourable conditions for Vietnamese textile and garment enterprises to connect with international partners, join global production networks, and strengthen value chain linkages from raw materials and accessories to finished products.
He welcomed the participation of numerous enterprises, organisations and associations from various countries and territories, and encouraged major global brands to transfer technology and management expertise while supporting the development of domestic raw material supply and supply chains./.
