Vietnam footwear exports reached a major milestone in the first quarter of 2026, surpassing China to become the largest footwear supplier to the United States. The latest figures reflect the continued shift of global manufacturing and sourcing toward Vietnam, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s leading footwear exporters.

According to data from the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), Vietnam accounted for 40.24% of total US footwear imports during the first quarter of 2026, a significant increase from 33.84% recorded in the same period of 2025.

Exports continue to gain momentum

Vietnam exported USD 2.47 billion worth of footwear to the United States in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 9.27% year-on-year increase. At the same time, footwear imports from China declined sharply by 50.54%, reducing China’s market share to just 18.27%.

The changing market structure highlights a continuing shift in global supply chains as international buyers diversify sourcing and expand manufacturing activities in Vietnam.

The US remains Vietnam’s largest footwear market

Strong demand continued throughout the year. During the first five months of 2026, Vietnam footwear exports reached USD 9.78 billion worldwide.

The United States remained the country’s largest export destination, importing USD 3.79 billion worth of Vietnamese footwear. This accounted for 38.83% of Vietnam’s total footwear export value and represented a 5.94% increase compared with the same period last year. The US market continues to play a critical role in supporting Vietnam’s footwear industry, providing stable demand for manufacturers and exporters.

Supply chain shifts create new opportunities

Vietnam’s growing market share reflects an ongoing relocation of production and sourcing activities as global brands seek to diversify supply chains. Competitive manufacturing capabilities, an extensive network of free trade agreements, and an increasingly mature industrial ecosystem continue to strengthen Vietnam’s attractiveness as a production hub.

For footwear manufacturers and exporters, this trend creates new opportunities to expand production capacity, access international buyers, and increase export value in key overseas markets.

Logistics plays a critical role in export growth

As export volumes continue to rise, efficient logistics services have become increasingly important for maintaining delivery schedules and controlling transportation costs. Reliable logistics partners help exporters improve supply chain efficiency, reduce operational risks, and ensure timely shipments to demanding markets such as the United States.

With global demand expected to remain strong, logistics providers will continue to play an essential role in supporting the sustainable growth of Vietnam footwear exports.

The latest trade data confirms that Vietnam footwear exports are strengthening their position in the global market. Becoming the largest footwear supplier to the United States demonstrates Vietnam’s growing competitiveness and highlights the ongoing shift of international supply chains toward Southeast Asia.

As manufacturers continue investing in production capacity and supply chain resilience, Vietnam is well positioned to maintain its leadership in the US footwear market while creating new opportunities for exporters and logistics companies alike.

Source: VnExpress

14/07/2026