The 2014 Viet Nam International Fashion Fair (VIFF) opened yesterday in HCM City. — Photo laodong

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The 2014 Viet Nam International Fashion Fair (VIFF) opened yesterday in HCM City to showcase the latest trends in fashion and introduce this year's collections.

The six-day exhibition, dubbed Toa sang thoi trang Viet (Shining Vietnamese fashion), will see the launch of collections like Viettien Kids by Viet Tien Co, I Iera DG of Duc Giang Co, and Style by Phong Phu JS Co.

Organisers said the event also offers raw material suppliers and designers the opportunity to meet garment businesses.

Le Tien Truong, general director of the Viet Nam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex), said 200 businesses have set up nearly 300 booths at the exhibition.

Key sector

200 businesses have set up nearly 300 booths at the exhibition.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said the textile and garment sector has made much effort to overcome difficulties caused by the global economic crisis since 2009.

It remains one of the key export sectors, he said.

Exports in the year-to-date have risen by 19.7 per cent from the same period last year.

The sector has been growing at an average annual rate of 15 per cent, providing 2.5 million jobs.

Hoang Ve Dung, Vinatex deputy general director, said besides exports businesses are also investing in technology and development of trademarks and brand names to exploit the domestic market.

This year domestic sales of major companies like Viet Tien, Nha Be, May 10, Duc Giang have increased by 10-15 per cent.

The exhibition at the Tan Binh Exhibition and Convention Centre, organised by the Viet Nam Textile and Garment Association and Vinatex, will go on until next Monday. —VNS