The international footwear and leather industry has signaled renewed strength in 2025, with organizers reporting robust participation and visitor turnout at two major trade shows in Asia – the 33rd Shoes & Leather Exhibition in Guangzhou, China and the 25th Shoes & Leather Exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The Guangzhou edition, held from May 15–17, drew more than 800 exhibitors and over 20,000 professional visitors, with participants coming from 17 countries and regions. Organizers said buyers and suppliers from 78 markets worldwide attended, reflecting the fair’s continued role as a regional hub for sourcing materials, machinery and finished footwear.
The Vietnam show, staged from July 9–11 at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center, attracted a comparable 800-plus exhibitors and registered attendance of more than 15,000 professionals, according to event data. Industry players said the event offered a critical platform for manufacturers and suppliers as the sector navigates shifting global trade conditions and mounting pressure to embrace sustainable practices.
“The level of international participation at both Guangzhou and Ho Chi Minh City underscores not just recovery but growing confidence in Asia as the supply base for global footwear,” one organizer said.
Technology and Sustainability in Focus
In Guangzhou, exhibitors showcased a wide spectrum of machinery, tanning and cutting technologies, chemicals, components and accessories alongside finished footwear and leather goods. Several companies emphasized automation and digital design tools as the industry looks to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Vietnam’s edition, meanwhile, spotlighted sustainability and eco-friendly innovations. Taiwanese firm D&A Group introduced its BIO-Circul® bio-based edge paint series, promoted as the first of its kind, along with BIO-PU® bio-based polyurethane coatings designed to cut volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
Also Read: Global Footwear Exports Rise in 2024, China’s Share Slips Further
“Green technologies are no longer optional in this industry – they are becoming mandatory,” a D&A spokesperson said at the Ho Chi Minh City show. “Our aim is to combine aesthetics with lower environmental impact.”
Global Context
The strong attendance figures come at a time when footwear manufacturers across Asia face uncertainty from changing trade policies, including renewed U.S. tariff measures on certain imports, while also dealing with higher input costs and demands for transparency in supply chains.
China remains the world’s largest exporter of footwear, but Vietnam has rapidly expanded its share of global shipments in recent years, ranking as the second-largest supplier to the United States and European Union markets. Industry analysts said the concentration of two major international exhibitions in these countries within months of each other highlights their centrality to the global footwear supply chain.
Also Read: China’s Footwear Export Revenue Declines, Leather Shoe Shipments Show Resilience
“Vietnam has become indispensable to global brands, while Guangzhou remains a powerhouse for technology, machinery and raw materials,” said an industry consultant based in Hong Kong.
Outlook
Organizers said both shows exceeded expectations and confirmed that exhibitor bookings for 2026 editions are already strong. Guangzhou will continue to expand its focus on advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, robotics and smart automation, while the Vietnam event is expected to double down on sustainability themes in response to pressure from global buyers.
Despite lingering concerns over trade barriers and slowing consumer demand in some key markets, industry representatives described the exhibitions as an encouraging sign of recovery after years of pandemic-related disruptions.
“Footwear is a global industry, and the level of participation we saw this year shows the ecosystem is adapting, investing and preparing for the next phase of growth,” one exhibitor said.
