One of the largest is the state-owned Vinatex, which accounted for an estimated 22% of Vietnamese textile and garment exports in 2006. One of Vinatex’s affiliates, Viet Tien Garment Company, has invested more than US$10 mn during the past five years in order to upgrade its production lines. Most of this new equipment has been imported from Japan and Singapore.

Also, in 2006 the sector exported textiles and garments to the value of US$5.8 bn, making it Vietnam’s second largest export earner after crude oil. Buyers from a number of the world’s leading textile and apparel companies have sourced apparel from Vietnam including Express, Hucke, Itochu, JC Penney, Jupitar, Kmart, Kowa, Lee Cooper, Li & Fung, Mast Industries, Nichimen, Nissho Iwai, Otto, Sara Lee, Seidensticker, Sumitomo, Tomen, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret, and Wal-Mart.

Three major developments over the past 20 years have led to the industry’s present vibrancy. One was the introduction in 1986 of the so-called Doi Moi economic reforms which—notwithstanding the government’s communist leanings—gave encouragement to the private sector and allowed market forces to determine the allocation of resources. A second was the collapse of the Comecon (Council for Mutual Economic Cooperation) bloc in 1990-91 and that of the Soviet Union in 1991. These events caused initial hardship but prompted the country to forge links with the West and enter the international community. The third was the granting by the USA of normal trading relations (NTR) or most favoured nation (MFN) status in December 2001, which led to a dramatic reduction in import tariffs in the US market.

The future for the textile and garment industry in Vietnam looks promising. Vietnam joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at the beginning of 2007 and seems set to build upon its recent export success. Moreover, the Vietnamese government is highly supportive of the textile and garment sector, and there are strong incentives to attract foreign investment. The government has outlined ambitious plans for the industry’s development. If these plans are fulfilled, employment and exports in the sector will double by 2010.

Size of Vietnam family in certain regions are different, it is affected by education factors, social and economy features, customs as well as culture. In Red River delta, there are 4.1 people living in a family on average, the lowest ratio nationwide while it is 5 people in Northwest.

According to socialists’ analysis, small family size is making good contribution to sex equality, minimizing troubles and quarrels which often happen in multi-generation families. In the past, women had many babies. With limitation to 2 babies, women now have more time to participate social activities, making considerable contribution to the development of the nation. They are more fairly treated and have opportunities to improve their education as well as profession. However, small family size has some side effects: Care for old people is limited, children and old people are more lonely. A survey in Hanoi shows that 30% family living in the centre revealed they did not have or had little time to care and educate their children.

Small family size, children live separately from their parents when getting married, makes old people more lonely and difficult in life, especially when social insurance for old people is very limited in rural areas in Vietnam.

In addition, open development of the economy makes Vietnam families at risk of social evils such as: addiction, prostitution etc…These side affects challenge life organization for old people, family services and baby care. Predicting these challenges, authorities have made some tough measures to enhance sense of family and its role in the modern time.