How to Find Running Clothes Manufacturers in Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the world's leading countries for manufacturing running apparel. Factories here produce technical performance gear for Nike, Adidas, Asics, Lululemon, and dozens of other global brands, and the same manufacturing infrastructure is available to emerging and mid-size brands as well.
This guide covers how to find and vet running clothes factories in Vietnam, what to expect on MOQs, pricing, lead times, and fabrics, and includes a list of manufacturers with genuine sportswear production capability. Everything here is based on our experience sourcing apparel from Vietnam since 2012.
updated Feburuary 17, 2026
Why Vietnam for Running Apparel
Technical manufacturing capability. Vietnamese factories have invested heavily in the equipment and training required for performance sportswear, including flatlock and coverstitching, bonded seams, sublimation printing, heat-transfer reflective applications, and laser cutting. This is not basic cut-and-sew. Many of these factories have spent years producing for Tier 1 athletic brands.
Competitive production costs. Labor costs in Vietnam remain lower than in China, and total production costs for technical garments are typically 15-25% lower than those at equivalent Chinese factories, depending on fabric sourcing and construction complexity.
Trade agreement access. The CPTPP provides preferential access to Canada, Japan, and Australia. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) reduces or eliminates duties on qualifying Vietnamese-made apparel entering the EU. Both agreements can meaningfully reduce landed costs compared to sourcing from countries without similar access.
US tariff context (current as of early 2026). Since August 7, 2025, the US has imposed a 20% reciprocal tariff on most Vietnamese goods, including apparel. This is lower than the initially proposed 46% rate and more favorable than China's effective apparel tariff rate, which exceeds 54% when MFN duties and Section 301 penalties are combined. Standard US apparel duties of 0-32% (depending on product classification and fiber content) apply on top of the reciprocal tariff.
Types of Running Clothes Made in Vietnam
Tops: Short-sleeve and long-sleeve performance tees, singlets, tank tops, and quarter-zip running pullovers
Bottoms: Running shorts (split, compression, and 2-in-1 lined), full-length tights, 3/4 capri leggings, and lightweight joggers
Sports bras: High-impact, medium-impact, and racerback styles with technical construction
Outerwear: Lightweight shell jackets, windbreakers, packable running jackets, and water-resistant layers
Base layers: Compression tops and bottoms, thermal long-sleeve base layers
Accessories: Running socks with arch support and moisture management, arm sleeves, and performance caps
Vietnam's strength lies in technical fabric handling and multi-step construction, including bonded seams, mesh panel insertion, reflective trim application, and compression-grade stretch fabrics.
Key Fabrics for Running Apparel in Vietnam
Polyester blends are the dominant base material. Factories typically use moisture-wicking polyester in 100-180 GSM, often blended with 5-15% spandex for stretch recovery. Quick-dry finishes are standard.
Nylon (polyamide) is used for premium running shorts, lightweight jackets, and outerwear shells where abrasion resistance and a softer hand feel are priorities.
Spandex/elastane content runs 15-25% for compression garments (tights, sports bras) and 5-12% for performance tees and shorts.
Mesh fabrics are integrated as ventilation panels in high-sweat zones. Mesh panel insertion is a construction-intensive process, and Vietnamese sportswear factories handle it routinely.
Common specialty treatments include antimicrobial finishes, UV-protective fabrics (UPF 30- 50+), reflective heat-transfer tape, and DWR (durable water repellent) coatings for outerwear.
Sustainable options are increasingly available, particularly recycled polyester (rPET) from post-consumer plastic bottles, which most Vietnamese mills now stock. Some factories also work with organic cotton blends and bamboo-blend fabrics.
Always request fabric swatches and performance test data (wicking rate, stretch recovery, pilling resistance, colorfastness) before committing to bulk.
Running Clothes Manufacturers in Vietnam
Below is a list of manufacturers with demonstrated capability in running apparel and technical sportswear. The right partner depends on your product requirements, order volume, and budget.
TNG Investment and Trading JSC
TNG is one of Vietnam's largest publicly listed garment manufacturers, headquartered in Thai Nguyen province (Northern Vietnam). The company operates multiple factories with a combined workforce of over 10,000 employees. TNG produces sportswear, outerwear, and performance apparel for international brands and has invested significantly in automated cutting, bonded seam technology, and sustainability certifications. Their scale makes them best suited for brands with larger order volumes.
Maxport Limited
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Hanoi, Maxport is one of Vietnam's most technically advanced sportswear manufacturers, producing for brands including Nike, Lululemon, Asics, and Kathmandu. The company operates multiple factories with over 6,000 workers and is known for strong R&D capabilities, particularly in technical outerwear and performance tops. Maxport holds high social compliance standards and has built a reputation for innovation in garment engineering. MOQs are high, making Maxport a better fit for established brands running larger programs.
Thygesen Textile Vietnam
A subsidiary of the Danish Thygesen Textile Group, this manufacturer produces high-performance sportswear and running apparel primarily for the European and US markets. Thygesen operates with a production capacity of up to 800,000 garments per month and specializes in activewear made from polyester, spandex, nylon, and bamboo blends. They offer full-package production from fabric sourcing through packaging and shipping, with standard lead times of 10-12 weeks for full production cycles. Sustainability certifications include OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and GOTS.
Thai Son S.P Sewing Factory
Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Thai Son S.P. specializes in circular-knit performance fabrics and produces running tops, leggings, shorts, and sports bras. The factory offers in-house sample development and has experience working with emerging brands entering the Vietnamese market. Communication is in English, which is a genuine advantage during development cycles. MOQs start at approximately 800 pieces per style and color, making them more accessible than many larger factories.
Dony Garment Company
Dony specializes in sportswear and activewear manufacturing with a focus on customization and private-label services. The company offers relatively flexible MOQs compared to larger factories, making it a viable option for smaller brands and startups. Dony maintains multiple compliance certifications and offers services ranging from design consultation to finished product packaging.
Dugarco (Duc Giang Corporation)
Established in 1990, Dugarco is one of Vietnam's leading textile manufacturers with dedicated sportswear production facilities. The company has significant scale, producing for global retailers and fashion brands. Their capabilities span breathable technical fabrics, moisture-wicking finishes, and modern activewear construction. Dugarco is better suited to brands that need consistent, high-volume production with standardized quality-control processes.
Note: These are manufacturers. Cosmo Sourcing is a sourcing partner that connects brands with vetted factories. We do not manufacture products ourselves.
Where Running Apparel Is Manufactured in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding provinces (Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An) form the country's largest garment manufacturing cluster and are where most international sourcing activity takes place. The concentration of factories, fabric suppliers, trim vendors, and logistics providers makes production management more efficient here than in other regions.
Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Nam Dinh) has a growing sportswear presence, with factories like Maxport and TNG operating large-scale facilities. Labor costs are slightly lower, though the supply chain ecosystem is less dense, which can extend lead times for fabric and trim sourcing.
Central Vietnam (Hue, Da Nang) is emerging as a hub for newer factories purpose-built for technical knit and woven sportswear. However, capacity remains limited compared to the south and the north.
How to Source Running Clothes from Vietnam: Step by Step
Step 1: Build a Detailed Tech Pack
Before contacting any factory, prepare a complete tech pack: detailed sketches or CAD drawings; fabric specifications (composition, weight, finish); construction details (seam types, stitch density, panel placement); size grading with measurements; Pantone color references; and packaging requirements. Factories take you more seriously with a professional tech pack, and it cuts weeks off development. Our Sourcing Kit includes tech pack templates.
Step 2: Identify and Shortlist Factories
Narrow based on capability match. Running shorts require different expertise than compression tights. Check for relevant certifications (BSCI, WRAP, OEKO-TEX, ISO 9001) and review the factory's client roster. A factory that produces for recognized performance brands has already passed the high-quality bar.
Sources include B2B platforms like Global Sources, trade shows (the Vietnam International Textile & Garment Industry Exhibition in HCMC is the largest), brand referrals, and professional sourcing companies with established factory networks.
Step 3: Request Quotes and Evaluate
Send your tech pack to 4-6 shortlisted factories. A complete quote should break down unit price by fabric cost, CMT (cut-make-trim), and packaging, and include MOQ per style/color, sample cost, timeline, bulk lead time, and payment terms.
The lowest price is rarely the best value. Pay attention to which factories ask detailed clarifying questions about your specs. That signals genuine capability.
Step 4: Order and Evaluate Samples
Request pre-production samples from your top 2-3 factories. Evaluate fit, fabric hand feel, construction quality (seam strength, stitch consistency, finishing), and how well the factory interpreted your specifications. How a factory responds to revision feedback tells you a lot about how it will handle production.
Expect 2-4 weeks for initial samples, 1-2 weeks for revisions. Budget $50-200 per sample plus shipping.
Step 5: Run a Trial Production Order
If possible, start with a smaller initial order before committing to a full bulk. This validates factory consistency, communication during active production, and packaging/labeling execution. Arrange a pre-shipment quality inspection (in person or by a third party) before the order ships.
Step 6: Manage Logistics and Landed Costs
Calculate full landed cost before placing an order: factory unit price, inland freight, ocean or air freight, import duties (20% US reciprocal tariff plus product-specific duties), customs brokerage, and warehousing. Ocean freight from Vietnam takes 20-30 days to US West Coast ports and 30-40 days to East Coast ports.
What to Watch Out For
MOQ requirements can be high. Many established Vietnamese sportswear factories set MOQs at 800-3,000 pieces per style per color. If you are launching a new brand with limited SKUs, look specifically for factories that accommodate lower MOQs (typically 300-500 pieces), or work with a sourcing partner who knows which factories offer flexibility for smaller brands.
Communication gaps are real. Not all factories have English-speaking staff, and technical miscommunication during development can lead to costly sample revisions. Working with a bilingual sourcing partner or hiring a local liaison can prevent misunderstandings that delay production by weeks.
Fabric sourcing adds lead time. If your chosen fabric is not available from Vietnamese mills, the factory may need to import it from China, Taiwan, or Korea. This can add 2-4 weeks to your timeline and may affect your product's rules-of-origin qualification for preferential tariff treatment under agreements such as the CPTPP or EVFTA.
Quality varies between factories. Vietnam has world-class factories and mediocre ones. The brand names on the factory list do not guarantee your order will be treated with the same priority as a Nike production run. Always verify capability through samples and, ideally, a factory visit before committing to bulk. Our guide to Vietnam's top clothing manufacturers covers how to evaluate factory quality in more detail.
How Vietnam Compares to Other Sourcing Countries
China still has the deepest supply chain and the widest range of fabric options, but effective US tariff rates on apparel exceeding 54% make it increasingly expensive for US-market brands. China remains a strong option for non-US markets or for products where the availability of specific fabrics or components is a factor.
Bangladesh offers the lowest labor costs in the region, but lags behind Vietnam in technical sportswear construction and performance fabrics.
Indonesia and Cambodia are growing alternatives with competitive tariff rates (19% US reciprocal tariff for both), but their sportswear manufacturing ecosystems are less mature than Vietnam's for technical running apparel. For broader activewear manufacturing options in Vietnam, including yoga and gym apparel, see our dedicated guide.
Source Running Apparel in Vietnam with Cosmo Sourcing
Cosmo Sourcing has been helping brands source from Vietnam since 2012. Our team in Ho Chi Minh City works directly with vetted factories, and we operate on a flat-fee pricing model with no commissions or hidden markups. You get original factory quotes, direct introductions to factories, and full transparency throughout the process. A typical sourcing project includes 2 to 6 quotes from qualified manufacturers, sample coordination, quality control support, and shipping guidance.
Ready to start? Reach out at info@cosmosourcing.com or contact us here to discuss your running apparel project.
