By: RootSource Media Staff,
The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT), taking place February 26–28, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, is fast becoming a key convening point for global textile manufacturing, materials innovation, and sustainable supply chains. As Vietnam continues to strengthen its role as one of the world’s leading apparel and textile production hubs, VIATT offers a critical platform for international collaboration across fibers, processing technologies, and next-generation materials.
Industrial hemp will be a notable part of this year’s program, with a U.S. industrial hemp delegation participating in panels, roundtables, and strategic discussions throughout the event. The delegation is organized by the National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC) as part of its broader international engagement and market development initiatives, supported in part by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to promote U.S. hemp interests abroad.
NIHC’s presence at VIATT reflects a growing recognition that hemp is moving beyond early-stage experimentation and into a period that demands clarity, consistency, and scale. For global textile markets, hemp offers a compelling solution as a renewable, low-impact fiber when supported by standards, processing infrastructure, and transparent supply chains.
On February 27, members of the U.S. delegation will participate in two featured sessions that address these themes from both market and design perspectives.
The first session, Unlocking U.S. Hemp Fibre & Textile Markets: Strategic Marketing and the National Industrial Hemp Council of America, will explore how the U.S. hemp industry is positioning fiber and grain as viable, scalable inputs for textiles and advanced materials. The discussion will focus on strategic market development, alignment across growers, processors, and manufacturers, and the role NIHC plays in coordinating industry and international trade engagement. The session features Corbett Miteff of KonopiUS, Trey Riddle of IND Hemp, and Morris Beegle, representing the National Industrial Hemp Council of America and the Bio-Smart Group.
The second session, Sustainable by Design: The Green Thread – Evolution of Hemp Fiber and Its Entry into High-Value Apparel and Home Textile, is hosted by the Asia International Hemp Federation and examines how hemp fiber is being integrated into higher-value apparel and home textile applications. The discussion bridges sustainability goals with performance, design, and commercial viability. Speakers include Sharon Deirdre Leyson, Secretary-General of the Asia International Hemp Federation, Jiraparnn Tokeeree of TOUCHABLE, and Morris Beegle, participating on behalf of the National Industrial Hemp Council of America and the Bio-Smart Group.
Beyond the formal programming, the NIHC delegation includes leaders working across multiple segments of the hemp value chain, including processing, materials innovation, and market development. Additional delegates include Guy Carpenter of Bear Fiber, Morgan Tweet of IND Hemp, and NIHC Chief of Staff Veronica Frantz-Eggleston.
A central focus of NIHC’s international work is bringing greater definition and alignment to hemp’s many applications. Industrial hemp is a complex crop that spans fiber, grain, floral hemp, cannabinoids, and derivative compounds. NIHC emphasizes the importance of clearly defining these categories so each can develop responsibly and credibly, without regulatory confusion or market friction. This clarity is especially critical for global textile and manufacturing partners seeking compliant, reliable sourcing pathways.
For Vietnam’s textile sector, hemp represents an opportunity to meet rising sustainability expectations while maintaining scale and performance. For U.S. hemp stakeholders, VIATT provides direct access to manufacturers, buyers, and technology providers shaping the future of global textiles.
As international markets increasingly demand sustainable materials backed by real infrastructure and standards, engagement at events like VIATT 2026 plays a vital role in aligning policy, trade, and industry execution. For NIHC and its partners, the goal is long-term collaboration that supports viable markets, responsible growth, and a more resilient global textile supply chain.
