A new partnership connects United States hemp production with Vietnam’s established spinning, weaving and garment manufacturing base.

Montana-based industrial hemp fiber and grain producer, processor and supplier Ind Hemp is working with U.S.-Vietnam import-export specialist Summit International Trading to bring hemp to Vietnamese natural fiber textile manufacturer Thien Phuoc Ramie Group.

Under the agreement, Ind Hemp will supply decorticated hemp fiber grown and processed in Montana with Summit International Trading managing import logistics and in-country coordination. Thien Phuoc then handles degumming and spinning the hemp for use in its textile production.

In December, Summit International imported the first containers of raw U.S. hemp fiber into Vietnam, following recent policy changes allowing the fiber imports. Since receiving those initial shipments, Thien Phuoc has already processed the fiber into yarns and fabrics, which were shown this week at the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland.

In the past, most hemp materials were largely sourced from China and limited to yarns and fabrics. With U.S. hemp now funneling into Vietnam, American and European brands can achieve greater supply chain transparency.

As of 2025, Vietnam is now the largest exporter of textiles to the U.S., surpassing China. The country has a well-developed fiber processing and garment manufacturing base with supply chain stability—a selling point for brands looking to diversify their supply chains after the disruption in China caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The country also maintains a more favorable trade relationship with the U.S., with no import tariff on American agricultural products, including hemp and cotton. A number of major global brands, including Levi Strauss & Co., VF Corp., Patagonia and Lululemon already have significant supplier networks in Vietnam.

“Vietnam is an expert and leading manufacturer and supplier of textiles, specifically those made with sustainable natural fibers,” said Thanh Hu of Summit International Trading. “American farmers are known to produce the best crops at scale in the world, and from visiting the farms and facilities of Ind Hemp in Montana last year, we are confident that we have the partner necessary to supply both quality and consistency as hemp fiber continues to grow in both use and demand in textiles in Vietnam.”

This partnership plays a role in Ind Hemp’s broader effort to expand international markets for U.S.-grown industrial hemp. Along with its business in the food sector, Ind Hemp has focused on expanding trade relationships for textile production. While the company said it is committed to supporting domestic manufacturing using its hemp, Ind Hemp has scaled its production and processing faster than the U.S. market can consume. Over the past two years, Ind Hemp has exported across North America and into multiple countries in South America, Europe and Asia.

Morgan Tweet, CEO of Ind Hemp said this partnership will allow the company to put its hemp into the hands of manufacturers who are ready and able to create textiles at scale.

“Summit International has deep experience importing from and exporting to the U.S. from Vietnam and managing international textile supply chains,” she said. “Ms Thuy of Thien Phuoc has built a strong natural fiber processing platform with Ramie. Together, they have the capability to integrate hemp into an existing, working textile supply chain system.”