Manufacturing: Vietnam’s footwear exports fall 9.04 percent in August 2025

Vietnam exported US$1.99 billion worth of footwear in August 2025, down 9.04 percent from July, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.

Year-to-date footwear exports reached US$16.08 billion, confirming the sector’s position as one of Vietnam’s leading manufacturing industries.

The United States remained the dominant market, importing US$840 million worth of Vietnamese footwear in August and US$6.07 billion year-to-date, accounting for 37.8 percent of the total.

European destinations were mixed: the Netherlands took in US$140 million, slightly lower than July, while exports to the UK and Belgium dropped more sharply, down 25.5 percent and 24.4 percent respectively. Japan also saw a 14.3 percent decline to US$95 million.

China, however, recorded a 15.4 percent increase in August to US$170 million, while Italy rose 33.2 percent to US$45 million.

Among other markets, Mexico, Canada, France, and Germany all fell double digits month-on-month, while Brazil showed a modest gain of 6.6 percent.

Smaller destinations including Peru, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Colombia posted notable growth, with Colombia up 78.2 percent and Peru rising 36.7 percent. Conversely, exports to Sweden and Israel halved compared to July.

The data underscores Vietnam’s reliance on the US and European Union markets, which together absorb more than half of total footwear exports, while regional diversification remains limited.

Of note, Vietnam’s footwear manufacturing industry is one of the world’s largest, ranking among the top exporters globally and supplying leading brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma.

The sector produces a wide range of products including sports shoes, leather footwear, and sandals, with major markets in the US, EU, and Japan.

Competitive labour costs, large-scale production capacity, and extensive participation in free trade agreements like the EVFTA and CPTPP have strengthened Vietnam’s position as a global footwear hub.

However, the industry depends heavily on imported raw materials, particularly leather and synthetic fabrics, much of which comes from China.

Rising labour costs, environmental compliance, and pressure for sustainable sourcing present ongoing challenges.

Despite these, footwear manufacturing remains a strategic sector, driving employment, foreign investment, and export growth in Vietnam’s economy.

See also: How to Export Footwear from Vietnam: Ultimate Guide

Vietnam export data for footwear in August 2025 US$millions