Hanoi (VNA) – Several leading footwear companies in Vietnam have secured contracts extending through mid-2025, according to Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, Vice C🔴hairwoman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear, and Handbag Association (LEFASO).

Xuan highlighted that the sector has over 1,000 factories, employs approximately 1.5 million workers, and contributes around 8% to the national GDP. Vietnam is the world’s third-largest footwear producer, behind China and India, with an annual production of 1.3 billion pairs. It is also the second-largest exporter, shipping over 1.27 billion pairs abroad each year. The industry aims to achieve total export revenue of 38–40 billion USD by 2030, indicating strong growth potential. However, exports are increasingly challenged by the global shift toward sustainability. In the past, sustainability requirements were set by brands, but now they are being codified into laws in key markets such as the US and EU. For example, the EU introduced new regulations, including sustainable eco-design standards, beginning in the second quarter of last year. Xuan identified the need for sustainability in production and compliance with social responsibility standards as the industry's biggest challenges. Experts agreed on the critical need to develop domestic supporting industries, particularly for raw materials and accessories. LEFASO has proposed the creation of specialized industrial parks for the production of materials such as leather, technical fabrics, molds, and soles. facilitate centralised production while supporting environmental protection efforts./.