Why Vietnam for Activewear?

Vietnam is not an emerging activewear destination — it is an established one. Major global sports brands manufacture here because the garment industry has decades of experience in performance fabrics, technical construction, and export-quality finishing. For NZ brands looking to launch or scale an activewear range, Vietnam offers what China offers — but often with lower MOQs, more flexibility on smaller runs, and a growing commitment to sustainable manufacturing.

Epic Sourcing's Vietnamese-speaking team has direct factory relationships across Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding manufacturing provinces. We know which factories produce activewear versus which ones claim to but don't.

What Activewear Can You Source from Vietnam?

Vietnamese factories are strong across the full activewear category: leggings and tights (full-length, 7/8, cycling, compression, printed); sports bras (low, medium, and high-impact; bonded, seamed, and racerback constructions); bike shorts; training tops and tanks; hoodies and sweats (fleece, French terry, technical fabrics); shorts (running, training, board shorts); matching sets for retail and wholesale; and yoga and pilates wear including seamless options.

Fabrics Available from Vietnamese Factories

Fabric selection is one of the most important decisions in activewear development. Vietnamese factories typically work with nylon-spandex blends (80/20 or 78/22 — the standard for premium leggings); polyester-spandex blends (more affordable, good for training shorts and tops); recycled fabrics (rPET — growing availability for brands with sustainability positioning); moisture-wicking performance fabrics; and premium Supplex and Tactel nylons with a matte, cotton-like hand feel.

Epic Sourcing can help you select the right fabric for your performance requirements, price point, and brand positioning.

The Tech Pack Question

Most established factories in Vietnam require a tech pack for custom activewear development. A tech pack specifies garment measurements and size grading, fabric and trim specifications, construction details and stitch types, label and hangtag requirements, and colourways and print or embroidery specifications. If you don't have a tech pack, Epic Sourcing can advise on how to develop one, or work with simpler specifications for first samples at an early stage.

How Epic Sourcing Sources Activewear from Vietnam

Step 1: Discovery Call — We learn about your activewear range: styles, fabrics, target price point, MOQs, and timeline. We give you an honest assessment of what's achievable in Vietnam.

Step 2: Factory Shortlist — We identify 2–3 vetted factories suited to your range. We filter out traders and agents, presenting you with genuine manufacturers with relevant production experience.

Step 3: Sample Development — We coordinate your initial samples, review construction, fit, fabric handle, and finishing against your brief, and report back before you approve.

Step 4: Bulk Production and QC — After sample approval, we oversee production and conduct pre-shipment inspection before goods are loaded.

Step 5: Freight and Compliance — We coordinate with your freight forwarder and ensure all documentation is correct. Your goods arrive NZ Customs-compliant.

Vietnam vs China for Activewear

Vietnam and China are both excellent for activewear fabric quality and competitive pricing. Vietnam often has lower MOQs, less US tariff exposure, and growing sustainability options. China has a much wider factory variety and more English-speaking contacts. For NZ brands wanting lower MOQs, supply chain diversification, and a competitive price — Vietnam is an excellent choice.

Ready to Launch Your Activewear Range?

Let's Talk Fabrics, MOQs, and Factories.

Book a free discovery call. Tell us what styles you want to develop and we'll give you a realistic picture — factory options, fabric costs, MOQs, and timeline. No pressure, no obligation.