In Vietnam, the market for wigs and extensions is growing, driven by international demand, particularly in Europe, the United States and Africa. Appreciated for its natural quality, its resistance and its versatility, Vietnamese hair, often poorly processed, is highly sought after. In 2024, the country was already exporting tens of millions of dollars worth of hair products. A sector in strong expansion, restructured during the Covid-19 pandemic.
North of Hanoi, in the middle of the rice fields and the industrial complex of Bac Ninh, is the “hair village”. In Binh An, between the pho and banh mi stalls, dozens of traders sell processed hair. Old barns have been converted into workshops where raw materials are sorted, weaved and colored. Others have developed real factories. This is the case of this saleswoman: “The majority of my hair comes from Vietnamit is Vietnamese raw hair, so the quality is always guaranteed, especially for bleaching and dyeing. »
Transformed into extensions or wigs, Vietnamese hair is renowned for its quality, resistance and natural appearance. Little processed and often cut directly on the donors’ heads, they are highly sought after on international markets, says this other seller: “Today, our market is developing mainly in Africa. Around 85% of our sales are made in Africa. In a month, we produce between 1.6 and 2 tonnes of goods. »Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia : Africa is now establishing itself as a booming market, alongside Europe and United States.
The hair is also purchased in India
Long dominated by Chinese and Indian players, the sector is now seeing Vietnamese producers emerge. Present in the region for 15 years, a producer observes that the sector has been restructured since the Covid-19 pandemic : « Before, Chinese buyers came to Vietnam, to Bac Ninh, to collect Vietnamese hair. But when Covid arrived, they could no longer come. So, we had to produce it ourselves. We bought the know-how, the technique to transform hair. »
Driven by strong economic growth, the average standard of living is increasing in Vietnam. Hair donors are becoming rarer, pushing collectors towards the most rural areas of the country. The hair is sometimes bought back for a few euros, raising ethical questions. Some local sellers also turn to hair from other countries, notably India, which is cheaper but whose provenance is more difficult to trace. “This hair is then sold to countries like Vietnam. Then, from Vietnam, they are resold to other countries, mainly in Africa. But in our factory we only sell one quality : raw Vietnamese hair from donors ».
The man claims to be attentive to ethical questions. These high-end wigs, 100% made in Vietnam, are sometimes resold for more than 600 euros, representing a significant income for these merchants, who are banking on a booming sector.
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