2025 Vietnam T-shirts (HS 6109) Export: Volatile Surge

Key Takeaways

T-shirts, classified under HS Code 6109 (T-shirts, singlets and other vests, knitted or crocheted), exhibited high volatility from January to October 2025.

• Market Pulse: Export values plunged 15.3% in February, rebounded in March, then declined steadily until September before a 33% surge in October—driven by U.S. tariff shifts.
• Structural Shift: Vietnam T-shirts Export reliance on the U.S. (32.58% of value) and repeat buyers (85.77% of trade) creates concentration risk amid policy uncertainty.
• Product Logic: HS Code 6109 trade data reveals a commodity-driven market, with cotton T-shirts (33% share) and tight price bands ($3.13–$4.46/unit) demanding cost efficiency.

This overview covers the period from January to October 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Vietnam T-shirts (HS Code 6109) Key Metrics Trend

Market Trend Summary

The Vietnam T-shirts export trend across the first ten months of 2025 displayed a distinct pattern of early-year strength followed by a prolonged contraction and a sharp late-year rebound. After opening at $355.84M in January, export value fell 15.3% in February, then recovered in March to $365.57M. From April onward, a steady multi-month decline ensued, with values dropping consecutively through September to a low of $204.11M. This downtrend reversed dramatically in October, with a 33% month-on-month surge to $271.53M.

Drivers & Industry Context

The mid-year collapse in export value directly correlates with the implementation of a new 20% U.S. tariff on direct Vietnamese apparel shipments, effective July 2, 2025 [VIZION API]. This triggered a preemptive shipping rush in Q2, explaining the robust Q1 figures and the subsequent 8-17% monthly declines from April through August as orders were front-loaded. The severe -16.9% drop in August shipments reflects the immediate post-tariff impact on new orders. The October rebound suggests supply chains adapted to the new cost structure, with buyers returning after a reset period. The total hs code 6109 value for the period was heavily influenced by this tariff-driven volatility, not underlying demand shifts.

Table: Vietnam T-shirts Export Trend (Source: yTrade)

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Vietnam HS Code 6109 Export Breakdown

Market Composition & Top Categories

According to yTrade data, the dominant sub-category for Vietnam HS Code 6109 Export is cotton T-shirts, which held a 33% share of total export value from January to October 2025. The remaining exports primarily consist of T-shirts made from other textile materials, with minor variations in cotton and blended fabrics. This structure highlights a concentrated market where cotton-based products drive the bulk of trade volume and value.

Value Chain & Strategic Insights

Unit prices for these T-shirts range from $3.13 to $4.46 per piece, indicating a commodity market with tight price bands and high sensitivity to cost factors. The trade structure under HS Code 6109 breakdown suggests a focus on volume-driven, price-competitive exports rather than specialized or high-end products. For exporters, maintaining low production costs and efficient logistics is essential to compete effectively in this market.

Table: Vietnam HS Code 6109) Export Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Vietnam T-shirts Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration & Market Risk

Vietnam's T-shirts export destinations show high dependence on the United States, which accounted for 32.58% of total export value from January to October 2025. This concentration indicates significant market risk, as any economic or trade policy shifts in the U.S. could directly impact Vietnam's export stability. The top three destinations—U.S., Japan, and South Korea—collectively represent over 70% of export value, underscoring a narrow geographic focus that requires diversification strategies to mitigate vulnerability.

Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation

For the dominant U.S. market, the nearly equal value and quantity ratios (32.58% vs. 33.83%) suggest consistent unit pricing, while the lower frequency ratio (22.12%) points to bulk purchasing patterns. This behavior aligns with large-scale distribution or wholesale demand, rather than premium or fragmented retail segments. Trade partners for T-shirts thus prioritize volume scale over margin potential, indicating a commodity-driven approach focused on mass market penetration.

Table: Vietnam T-shirts (HS Code 6109) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Vietnam T-shirts Buyer Companies Analysis

Buyer Concentration & Market Structure

According to yTrade data, Vietnam T-shirts buyers are overwhelmingly dominated by high-volume repeat customers, who represent 85.77% of total export value. This indicates a market built on stable, contract-based supply chains with major apparel retailers and manufacturers. The concentration reveals a mature export ecosystem where long-term partnerships drive the bulk of trade flows in this category.

Purchasing Behavior & Sales Strategy

The dominance of key accounts means suppliers should prioritize relationship management and value-added services like streamlined logistics and compliance support, especially as new U.S. tariffs create urgency for reliable partners [Vietnam Briefing][Vizion]. However, the high reliance on a few buyers also signals concentration risk; diversifying into project-based buyers could hedge against volatility while capturing HS Code 6109 buyer trends.

Table: Vietnam T-shirts (HS Code 6109) Top Buyers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for T-shirts Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify buyers: Target project-based clients to reduce reliance on the 85.77% repeat-customer base and hedge against contract volatility.
• Shift logistics focus: Prioritize cost-cutting in shipping and compliance to maintain margins in the $3.13–$4.46/unit price band.
• Monitor U.S. policy: Track tariff adjustments and front-load shipments ahead of expected mid-2026 rate changes.
• Expand markets: Reduce U.S. dependence by targeting EU or ASEAN buyers, where bulk demand aligns with Vietnam’s volume-driven output.
• Lock in contracts: Secure mid-term agreements with top buyers now to stabilize orders post-tariff disruption.

Take Action Now —— Explore Vietnam T-shirts HS Code 6109 Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Vietnam T-shirts Export in 2025?

The 2025 export trend was heavily influenced by a new 20% U.S. tariff, causing a pre-shipment rush in Q1, followed by a mid-year decline and an October rebound as supply chains adapted.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Vietnam T-shirts (HS Code 6109) in 2025?

The U.S. (32.58%), Japan, and South Korea dominate, collectively representing over 70% of Vietnam’s T-shirts export value.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Vietnam T-shirts Export in 2025?

Prices are tightly clustered ($3.13–$4.46 per piece) due to the commodity-driven nature of cotton T-shirts, which make up 33% of exports.

Q4. What should exporters in Vietnam focus on in the current T-shirts export market?

Prioritize cost efficiency and logistics for high-volume buyers (85.77% of trade) while diversifying to mitigate U.S. tariff and concentration risks.

Q5. What does this Vietnam T-shirts export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers face stable bulk pricing but must adapt to tariff-driven volatility, emphasizing long-term contracts for reliable supply.

Q6. How is T-shirts typically used in this trade flow?

Cotton T-shirts dominate as volume-driven, price-sensitive commodities for mass-market retail and wholesale distribution.

Detailed Monthly and Quarterly Report

Vietnam HS Code 6109 Export Data Snapshot 2025 JAN

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Vietnam HS Code 6109 Export Data Snapshot 2025 Q1

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