Diep Thanh Kiet, vice chairman of the association, said

Lack of technical ability to design and build their own brands and production lines.

Although labor costs are low, most workers have limited technology and low productivity.

In the next 5 years, if the footwear industry does not invest more in designing and researching new products, production capacity and distribution, the industry will not grow again.

Vietnam now imports most of its raw materials for shoemaking every year, and local businesses can only produce low quality canvas.

And shoe lines.

Most of the machinery and equipment is imported, and 70% of the leather needs to be imported.

The association also said the government should introduce new policies to attract overseas.

And leather shoes manufacturers invest in Vietnam, which will help Vietnam improve its technological strength.

The footwear industry is growing rapidly now and will reach US $12 billion by the end of 2014, an increase of 16% over the same period last year.