Textile and Apparel Industries

Analyzing the Apparel Export Competitiveness of Vietnam: A Competition for Second Place

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Abstract

Vietnam has secured its position as one of the most prominent apparel-exporting nations in the world. The apparel industry is pivotal to the Vietnamese economy, serving as a major source of employment, export revenue, and economic development. This study analyzes the export competitiveness of Vietnam’s apparel industry by identifying the exact product categories that provide a comparative advantage to the nation. Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and Normalized Revealed Comparative Advantage (NRCA) are calculated using the Harmonized System (HS) codes from 2011 to 2020. Additionally, the major destinations of the top exporting product categories are analyzed to identify the possible factors facilitating export competitiveness. The findings identified twenty-nine out of thirty-four product categories at four-digit levels with a consistent export comparative advantage throughout the ten-year study timeframe. The study's findings can assist industry stakeholders, including policymakers, in discerning opportunities for resource development and investment in categories lacking a demonstrated comparative advantage.

Keywords: Export competitiveness, RCA, NRCA, Apparel industry, Vietnam

How to Cite:

Hasan, M., Swazan, I. & Das, D., (2024) “Analyzing the Apparel Export Competitiveness of Vietnam: A Competition for Second Place”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 80(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17381