From the Sector

At its third edition, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles, and Textile Technologies (VIATT) reinforced its role as a key sourcing and business platform for ASEAN’s textile industry. The three-day fair welcomed over 17,000 visits from 54 countries and regions, and featured over 460 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions across 18,000 sqm. The 2026 edition was marked by the introduction of new international pavilions and zones, broadening the fair’s sourcing scope across new geographies and product categories. The fringe programme, headlined by the debut Trend Forum, further distinguished VIATT as the region’s most integrated textile trade platform – uniquely spanning the entire value chain.
 
A focal point within the returning European Zone – which also spotlighted leading exhibitors from Italy, Switzerland, Türkiye, and the UK – the German Pavilion offered buyers direct access to a comprehensive range of well-engineered products and solutions, with a strong emphasis on quality, compliance, and time-proven manufacturing excellence. Complementing this, the inaugural Türkiye Zone made its debut at the fair, further broadening the European sourcing landscape and introducing a new dimension of textile expertise to VIATT’s growing international offering.

Drawn by VIATT’s diverse and extensive offerings, 10 buyer delegations from eight countries and regions sourced at the fair, whilst VIP buyers from renowned brands including Adidas, An Phuoc, Gap, H&M, Ivy Moda, Lululemon, Muji, Nitori, Osprey, Perry Ellis, and many more, also met with exhibitors to further promote business exchange.
 
Beyond the show floor, VIATT 2026 offered an expanded fringe programme designed to share trends, insights, and strategies with global industry players, bringing international perspectives to educate and inspire the local and regional markets. Key events included the inaugural Trend Forum, the Vietnam Textile & Garment Industry Development Strategy Summit (VTGIS), and the Textile Industry Exchange, alongside a series of seminars, panel discussions, workshops, and three captivating fashion shows that blended local and international perspectives.
 
Speakers’ insights
“Southeast Asia is no longer just a manufacturing alternative – it is becoming a strategic innovation hub. By integrating fashion, home textiles, and technology into one conversation, the fringe programme reflects how the industry operates today, as innovation increasingly happens between categories. Through talks, forums, and curated spaces, the Trend Forum allows trend content to go beyond visual inspiration, helping exhibitors and visitors move from trend-following to trend understanding.”
Mr Kai Chow, Lead Curator, VIATT Trend Forum and Creative Director of MUSEATIVE

“The fashion show helps us a great deal because we are not yet known in this country, and what we are looking for is a distributor or licensee who would be interested in distributing our brand here. We see Vietnam as a market with huge potential, and it is obviously the best place to be. Having started our distribution in Korea last year, Vietnam would be our second country in Asia, and the development of our brand throughout the region is exactly what we are working towards.”
Mr Hervé Coulombel, President and CEO of Royal Mer, France

“Digital transformation is no longer optional. Especially for 3D design, AI-assisted development and virtual collaboration are now becoming a standard tool to reduce waste, shorten lead time, and improve global communication. We encourage companies to adopt those these workflows early, so they will get a competitive advantage in cost, speed, and sustainability, and we wanted to give our audience a clearer picture of how AI can integrate into their production. They were really interested as it can help them reduce costs and build up the necessary strategic tools for sustainable growth.”
Ms Kathy Pham, Associate, Business Development, CLO, Vietnam
 
The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE). 

Having achieved rapid market success with its fully automated fitted sheet system, Automatex, a member of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association, has developed a quilting machine which doubles productivity compared to what has previously been achievable.

The P12-PB Automatic Lock Stitch Quilting Unit is engineered to deliver continuous, programmable quilting while reducing manual intervention in the stitching of bedding and padded home textiles.

“Across our member companies we are seeing automation move beyond individual machines towards intelligent, interconnected production environments,” says TMAS General Secretary Therese Premler-Andersson. “Solutions like this demonstrate how textile technology manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of consistency, productivity and digital control in areas that were traditionally dependent on operator skill.”

Maximising uptime
Designed for high-volume manufacturers, the new P12-PB platform feeds fabric and filling directly into a quilting module equipped with twelve modified servo-driven lock stitch sewing heads. Arranged in two programmable banks of six, the heads allow producers to switch between straight line quilting and different shaped patterns without mechanical changeover, enabling flexible production runs while maintaining consistent stitch geometry. 

At the core of the Automatex system is an automation architecture focused on maximising uptime. Each sewing head incorporates an automatic bobbin case changer supported by a retrieval system, allowing uninterrupted production during thread depletion. Thread break detectors further minimise defects, while servo indexing ensures accurate needle positioning across the working width. A colour touch screen interface simplifies pattern programming and machine operation and remote access capability enables troubleshooting and technical support without on-site intervention. 

Operating at speeds of up to 12 metres per minute, the P12-PB is suitable for filling weights from 100-450 gsm with stitch lengths between 3-4 mm. The machine produces various stitching patterns and straight lines at 21.7 cm needle spacing, supporting a wide range of quilt constructions. It has been engineered for installation within standard industrial utility frameworks. 

“The P12-PB can be connected directly in-line with our automated sewing and folding systems to form a continuous production chain, from fibre processing through to finished product handling,” says Automatex Director of Business Development Chuck deSousa. 

Solvay has become the official partner of the Belgian Rugby Federation, joining forces in a collaboration built on shared values and a common vision: bringing people together and enabling human potential to flourish. 

For more than 160 years, Solvay has been guided by the humanistic principles of Ernest Solvay, who believed that progress begins with people - with education, inclusion and the strength of communities. These convictions remain at the heart of the Group’s sustainability roadmap For Generations and continue to shape its ambition to contribute positively to society worldwide.

Rugby is a natural extension of this vision. The sport is rooted in trust, teamwork and resilience - qualities that empower individuals while building something greater together.

“Rugby expresses a belief that Solvay holds deeply: people go further when they move forward together, the only ‘en avant’ that is allowed” said Philippe Kehren, CEO of Solvay. “This partnership celebrates Solvay’s heritage while opening new possibilities for connection - bringing colleagues and communities together around the world, especially when the national team competes abroad.”

As official partner, Solvay will support the men national teams including Rugby 7, the under 20 teams and the referee community, creating more opportunities for young people and local clubs to access the sport and grow within it.

The collaboration will also enable Solvay teams internationally to gather around major matches, strengthening ties with local partners and fostering a sense of shared purpose.

“The Belgian Rugby Federation is honored to welcome Solvay as its official partner,” said Michiel Leysen, President of the Belgian Rugby Federation. “This partnership will help expand the reach of rugby and inspire new generations of players.”