ABSTRACT
The textile/garment industry had gone through four main periods of development: limited initial activities; start-up and consolidation; expansion and export-oriented growth. The textile industry began under the French regime, but that early heritage is only evident in a few nationalised spinning plants in urban areas, and in some skills and experience of workers who were involved in the textile industry. In the reform period after 1986, production was expanded further with a shift to consumer goods and export programmes. In the conditions of a more open economy and of more diversified linkages with foreign investment sources and markets, many enterprises had initiated business relationships with foreign partners so as to expand their production activities. Vietnam began to export textile and garment products in the 1960s. However, this kind of activity was small-scale and on a trial basis. Before 1975, in the South, the textile industry mostly served the domestic rather than the export market.
