Participating in Vietnam International Sourcing for the second consecutive year, H&M Group continues to join the Nordic business delegation organized by the Trade Office of Vietnam in Sweden.
As part of the 2026 trade promotion programme, the Trade Office of Vietnam in Sweden, concurrently responsible for Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Latvia, will once again organize a Nordic business delegation to attend Vietnam International Sourcing 2026 – VIS 2026.
Notably, H&M will participate in VIS for the second consecutive year and will have a booth at the fair. H&M’s presence will not only create opportunities for direct engagement between the Group and Vietnamese textile and garment enterprises, but also help promote dialogue on green production, renewable energy, circular transformation, workforce development and strengthening the competitiveness of the supply chain.
According to the plan of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, VIS 2026 is scheduled to take place from 3 to 5 September 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center – SECC in Ho Chi Minh City. It is one of Vietnam’s key trade promotion events in 2026, featuring an export forum, thematic seminars, an exhibition and B2B business-matching activities between Vietnamese enterprises and international purchasing delegations.
On this occasion, H&M shared its views on Vietnam’s role in the Group’s global sourcing strategy, the capabilities it seeks from Vietnamese suppliers, and the opportunities for green transformation and sustainable development in the textile and garment industry.
Vietnam Is an Important Partner in H&M’s Global Sourcing Network
For H&M Group, Vietnam is not only an important sourcing destination but also a long-term partner in building a future-ready and sustainable textile industry.
1. This is H&M’s second time participating in Vietnam International Sourcing. What experiences or outcomes from the previous season encouraged H&M to return and further expand your presence in Vietnam?
Our participation in previous editions reinforced our positive view of Vietnam as an important partner in our global sourcing network.
In line with our long-term ambitions, we continuously invest in strong partnerships across our sourcing markets. Returning for a second year reflects our confidence in Vietnam’s future development and our commitment to contributing to a resilient, flexible, and agile supply chain that can adapt to evolving market conditions and customer expectations.
We also see Vietnam International Sourcing as an important platform to deepen dialogue and collaboration with both industry and government partners as we work together to strengthen Vietnam’s role in global value chains. When we look at Vietnam, we also see great potential in further connecting with a growing demand for our fantastic products with the Vietnamese consumers, and we have the ambition to further develop our retail operations in iconic locations.
One of H&M’s Most Important Sourcing Markets
2. How does H&M’s return to Vietnam International Sourcing 2026 reflect Vietnam’s role in the Group’s global sourcing and supply chain strategy?
Vietnam is one of H&M Group’s most important sourcing markets globally. We have been sourcing from Vietnam since the early 2000s and today work with 42 suppliers and 72 factories employing more than 60,000 workers. Vietnam offers a mature manufacturing ecosystem with strong capabilities that support our product strategy.
As we continue investing in a resilient, flexible, and agile supply chain, Vietnam is well positioned to play an increasingly important role in supporting the industry’s long-term competitiveness. We see significant opportunities in areas such as renewable energy, industrial decarbonization, circular solutions, digitalization, and workforce development.
These areas are becoming increasingly important as the global apparel industry evolves, and they align closely with our ambition to offer customers the best combination of fashion, quality, price, and sustainability while supporting a more sustainable future for the industry.
Seeking Partners with Strong Operational Capabilities and a Commitment to Continuous Improvement
3. What capabilities or types of suppliers is H&M currently seeking from Vietnamese textile and garment enterprises amid the ongoing global supply chain transformation?
Vietnam is one of the world’s leading textile and garment exporters and offers mature ecosystem that fits our product strategy.
We recognize the vital role of Vietnam’s textile and garment sector as a strategic export industry. With over 3 million workers, it is not only a key engine of economic growth but also central to livelihoods across the country.
Beyond the strong manufacturing capabilities, Vietnam has demonstrated ambition, resilience and a clear vision for economic development and international competitiveness. We greatly value the collaboration we have built with our partners across the textile and garment value chain.
As global markets evolve, our industry is undergoing significant transformations. Expectations related to sustainability, climate transition and circularity are increasing rapidly. At the same time, maintaining competitiveness and economic growth remain essential priorities.
We believe Vietnam is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. We are increasingly looking for partners that combine strong operational performance with a commitment to continuous improvement and long-term competitiveness.
Sustainability and Competitiveness Are Becoming Increasingly Interconnected
4. Sustainability and ESG standards are becoming increasingly important in H&M’s supply chain. How does H&M assess the current readiness of Vietnamese enterprises in meeting these requirements, and does H&M have any plans to support suppliers in narrowing the gap?
Vietnamese suppliers have made significant progress over many years in improving environmental performance, energy efficiency, compliance, and operational excellence. This progress has contributed to Vietnam’s position as one of the world’s leading textile and garment exporting countries.
At the same time, expectations related to sustainability, climate transition, and circularity are increasing rapidly across global markets. We believe sustainability and competitiveness increasingly go hand in hand.
Our approach is to work collaboratively with suppliers and partners to support this transition. This includes initiatives related to renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, electrification technologies and capacity building. Our focus is on collaboration and continuous improvement, helping create the conditions for suppliers to remain competitive in a rapidly changing business environment.
VIS Serves as a Bridge Between Vietnamese Enterprises and International Buyers
5. How does H&M assess the role of Vietnam International Sourcing in helping Vietnamese enterprises directly connect with international buyers and integrate more deeply into global value chains?
Vietnam International Sourcing serves as an important bridge between Vietnamese enterprises and international buyers. It creates opportunities for direct engagement, relationship building, and a better understanding of evolving market expectations.
Beyond facilitating sourcing discussions, the event also creates a valuable platform for dialogue on broader industry topics such as customer-centric retail development, innovation, sustainability and industrial development. These conversations are increasingly important as the industry works to strengthen competitiveness while responding to global challenges and opportunities.
Opportunities Lie in Higher-Value-Added Production, Innovation and Green Transformation
6. What message would H&M like to share with the Vietnamese textile and garment business community participating in Vietnam International Sourcing this year?
Vietnam has established itself as one of the world’s leading textile and garment manufacturing countries and has demonstrated remarkable ambition, resilience, and adaptability over many years.
Looking ahead, we believe the biggest opportunities will come from moving toward higher-value production, a full-value chain approach that allows to benefit from international trade agreements, accelerating sustainability and circularity, investing in innovation and workforce capabilities, and embracing renewable and energy-efficient manufacturing.
H&M Group remains committed to working together with suppliers, industry organizations, and government stakeholders to support a resilient, competitive, and more sustainable textile industry for the future.
VIS 2026 – A Direct Meeting Point for Global Sourcing Groups
Vietnam International Sourcing 2026 offers Vietnamese manufacturers and exporters an opportunity to present their capabilities, products and solutions directly to global distribution groups, retail systems, importers and international buying delegations.
In addition to the exhibition, VIS 2026 will feature B2B business-matching activities, export forums and thematic seminars on green manufacturing, sustainable exports, e-commerce, digital technologies and market diversification. Through these activities, businesses can gain insights into consumer trends, technical standards, ESG requirements and the sourcing strategies of global distribution systems.
The participation of H&M, together with the Nordic business delegation organized by the Trade Office of Vietnam in Sweden, further reinforces VIS’s role as a practical platform connecting Vietnam’s manufacturing capabilities with international market demand.
Vietnamese textile and garment companies interested in becoming suppliers to international groups should proactively prepare English-language company profiles, information on products and production capacity, quality and sustainability certifications, data on energy use and emissions, as well as specific cooperation proposals to improve the effectiveness of their meetings at VIS 2026.