6 Fabric Wholesale Markets in Vietnam You Shouldn’t Miss

The soul and foundation where fashion is built on, fabric plays a decisive role on the touch and look of any clothing item. While it comes to clothes manufacturing in Vietnam, arming with a solid knowledge about what kind of fabrics are available in Vietnam is essentially important as the country imports 80% of fabrics from neighboring countries like China, South Korea, etc. You wouldn’t want to go with certain fabrics that run out of stock in the production process, and are told to cease production as it would take one month to import the exact fabric into Vietnam.

It’s reported that the export of garment and textiles account for 15% of Vietnam’s GDP, making textile industry one of the country’s leading industries for import from Vietnam. According to Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade, the first five months of 2019 has witnessed an increase of 10.3% of Vietnam’s garment exports, reaching a momentum of US$120.61 billion. As promising and appealing as the export value of garments sounds, the fact is the added value is relatively small since most of the fabrics and key components are imported, and relies heavily on labor incentive manufacturing method.

Understanding what kinds of fabrics are made in Vietnam or available in constant stocks is an effective way to avoid production interruption especially in a manufacturing country that relies heavily on imported raw materials. Our guide on the top 6 fabric wholesale markets in Vietnam is set to help you filter out potential risks of fabric shortage in garment production process.

Top 6 fabric wholesale markets in Vietnam

1. Dong Xuan Market

With a long established presence, Dong Xuan market is strategically located in the old city of Hanoi. The market is in general, catering to wholesalers, however, some shops also retail with prices a bit leveled up. The wholesale market in Vietnam is clustered into three levels, with each level dedicated to a staggering variety of products.

F1: Electronics, household merchandises, textiles, souvenirs
F2: Fabrics & Textiles
F3: Clothes for children, women and men

For clothes importers, it’s highly recommended to check out the second floor as the complete floor is dedicated to all kinds of fabrics. Spend time bartering with the fabric suppliers, and usually they would tell you more inside secrets about the best selling fabric, a better MOQ, price, etc.

2. Ninh Hiep Fabric Market

One of the oldest markets in Vietnam, Ninh Hiep fabric market is located in the northern province of Bac Ninh, about 20 kilometers from Hanoi. In addition to the staggering number of fabric shops inside the massive market, the streets outside the market are also lined with a huge selection of fabric. The fabrics available in Ninh Hiep are usually sold by bundles, with prices varying depending on the type of fabrics. For example, the cost of cotton fabric is about VND 90,000 – 110,000 per kilogram, while nylon costs about VND 50,000 – 60,000 per kilogram.

Some small clothes factories in Vietnam tend to buy fabrics from Ninh Hiep, while big manufacturers usually import from abroad.

3. Soai Kinh Lam Fabric Market

Housing over 500 fabric shops, Soai Kinh Lam fabric market is the prime location to source fabrics for your clothing production in Ho Chi Minh, or just buy some fabrics to make your own Ao Dai in the tailors. The greatest perk about fabrics in Soai Kinh Lam fabric market is, every fabric shop sells different kinds of fabric, though might appear to be similar at first glance, they differ in pattern and color. As a result, the sheer choice can be quite overwhelming. Here you can find virtually any fabric frequently seen in daily life, for example, satin, silk and brocade that used to make Ao Dai.

4. Ben Thanh Market

A name needs no further introduction, Ben Thanh market is a must visit in most tourists’ Ho Chi Minh itinerary. The history of the market dates back to as early as 1914, and it’s hailed as the landmark of Ho Chi Minh having witnessed lots of ups and downs over time. Now it has developed into a comprehensive market, where you can find virtually anything, from food to electronics, footwear, jewelry, clothing and fabric. The market also houses a multitude of fabric shops offering a huge selection of fabric at affordable rates.

5. Tan Dinh Market

The market located in district 1 is the best place to soak into local culture as well as picking up some high quality made-in-Vietnam fabrics. As you walk into the main area of the market, the fabric section starts to emerge. Expect to find a huge selection of prints, silks in sophisticated patterns and colors, as well as knits, cotton, etc.

6. An Dong Market

Located at the heart of Chinatown in district 5, An Dong market houses a multitude of shops clustered into three floors and basement selling a huge variety of goods including jewelry, accessories, food, shoes, fabric and clothes. Different kinds of products are sectioned off. The top floor is dedicated to fabric and crafts, as frequently patronized by local tailors searching for fabric samples to make suits and Ao Dai. The best time to visit the market is from 9:00 am to 14:00 pm.