Shein finds there’s no place like China after Vietnam experiment disappoints
The advantage of having a Vietnamese export base is no longer as large as it used to be.
Just over a year ago, Chinese fast fashion giant Shein embarked on a bold venture by leasing 15 hectares of warehouse space near Ho Chi Minh City, intending to establish Vietnam as a significant export hub. At the time, the plan seemed promising despite the inherent risks. The strategy became particularly appealing as the U.S. was set to eliminate duties on small parcels from China, a move that President Donald Trump had recently approved.
Additionally, concerns over a potential trade war were escalating, leading to tariffs on Chinese goods soaring to 145% in April 2025. Despite these favorable circumstances, Shein's experiment in Vietnam has not yielded the anticipated results.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.