Viet Tien was once a privately owned company named “Pacific Enterprise” with eight share holders and directed by Sam Bao Tai, a Chinese businessman. The enterprise had only 65 sewing machines and about 100 workers.
After 1975 the enterprise was nationalized and managed by the Ministry of Light Industry (now Ministry of Industry). In May, 1977 it was renamed Viet Tien Garment Enterprise. With the development of the garment sector, the enterprise was changed into a company and later a corporation, but the name Viet Tien (meaning Vietnam advancing forward) was kept at the wishes of the staff.
At present, VTEC has six enterprises and 14 affiliates with over 20,000 workers. It specializes in the manufacturing of garments and the trading of materials and accessories for the garment sector, equipment and components, and import-export services. Its products are diverse and are sold at over 20 shops and through 300 agents throughout the country. They have also been exported to the US, Europe, Japan and other ASEAN countries.
 

In 2010 the corporation reached a turnover of 4.5 trillion VND, an increase of 15% over 2009, bringing more income to the workers and stabilizing their life.
Its firm development is attributed to the sensible strategy set out by the corporation leaders. The renewal of technology and production equipment is considered a key in the strategy. The corporation also attaches importance to improving the management and development of human resources to reach international standards.
 

At an enterprise of the corporation on Le Minh Xuan Road in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, hundreds of people are sewing in a spacious facility. It is clean and ventilated, and the temperature is always kept at 260C. The production line is managed in a modern way. The capacity and quality of each machine is monitored by a system of computers. There is equipment to check the condition of the sewing needles to avoid technical problems and accidents at work. VTEC pays attention to all of these factors to increase the quality of the products and to meet international standards.
During this time of integration and fierce competition, VTEC considers the construction and protection of its brand name vital not only to popularize the brand but also the quality of the products. To ensure the quality of the products means to win the customers’ trust. Therefore, VTEC was the first in the garment and textile sector to apply the LEAN system, from management and production control to quality of products.
Each item in their line, from the buttons to the fringes or the labels, is made delicately, using specialized machines. The brands and logo are registered in domestic and foreign markets to help customers distinguish genuine and faked products.
At VTEC’ s shops and agencies, customers can find Viet Tien garments with different labels such as Viettien, Vee Sendy, San Sciaro, Mahattan, TT-up, Smart Casual and Vietlong. The prices differ depending on whether they are high grade or casual products.
Talking about the corporation’s new orientation in 2011 and the coming years, Bui Van Tien, VTEC General Director said: “In the past the corporation focused on manufacturing garments for men. Now it will manufacture more products for women and children. The corporation will continue maintaining domestic and foreign markets. Next year it will introduce a new label called Camelia and expand its market in China.”