Vietnam's exports of clothing rose by 38% to $15.6 billion in 2011, thanks in part to a 12 percent increase in average prices. Geographically, they rose by 52 percent in Japan, by 41 percent in Europe and by 14 percent in the U.S. Footwear exports from Vietnam hit $5.7 billion in the period from January through November last year, and the country's Leather and Footwear Association thinks that the final tally for 2011 will hit $6.2 billion. From January through October, footwear exports jumped by 25.8 percent compared with the same period in 2010 to $5.11 billion. The industry group expects growth to slow in 2012, forecasting an increase in exports of about 12 percent.

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