Trinh Thi Thu Hien, Deputy Director General, Agency of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade addressing the Opening Keynote for the Seminar. — Photos of the organiser

HÀ NỘI — As one of the world’s leading garment exporters and a key supplier to the US, EU, and CPTPP markets, Việt Nam’s textile and garment industry stands at a pivotal crossroads. While benefiting from 16 free trade agreements (FTAs), the industry now faces growing pressure to meet emerging sustainability and due diligence requirements that are redefining global market access.

To remain competitive, Việt Nam’s garment manufacturers must shift from volume-driven growth to green and circular production models with access to green finance as the key enabler.

Recognising this imperative, the Strategy Forum “Financing Vietnam’s Leap in Garment Sustainability”, co-hosted by Chan Chao International and CCX Partners on October 17 as part of the Vietnam International Textile & Garment Exhibition (VTG) 2025, convened policymakers, financiers, manufacturers, academics, and innovators to explore how capital can accelerate the sector’s green transformation.

Opening the Forum, Trịnh Thị Thu Hiền, Deputy Director General of the Agency of Foreign Trade (MOIT), underscored the importance of FTAs in enhancing Việt Nam’s garment export competitiveness through compliance with rules of origin and utilisation of tariff preferences.

“Vietnamese goods enjoy substantial advantages through preferential tariff treatment under FTAs. However, these agreements also embed deeper commitments on labor, environment, and sustainable development turning pressure into motivation for the sector’s green transformation,” she noted.

Maria Pateguana, Unit Head of Private Sector Development, ADB Vietnam, emphasised that “Green is no longer a cost—it’s currency,” highlighting ADB’s initiatives such as the Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP), GS1 Carbon, and SME Sustainability Standards Toolkit designed to help Vietnamese suppliers meet ESG disclosure and green finance standards.

From an impact investing perspective, Trang Ngô, Associate Vice President at Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), discussed how “Green and Orange Transformation” models are redefining inclusive, gender-smart investment across Asia’s apparel sector.

A panel discussion between Trinh Thi Thu Hien, Deputy Director General, Agency of Foreign Trade (MOIT), Dr. Rajkishore Nayak, Associate Professor, RMIT University, and Ms. Pham Thi Van Thanh, Branch Director, VietinBank South Saigon, moderated by Tu Anh, Senior Business Representative, DATA Group.

From finance to fabric

Phạm Thị Vân Thanh highlighted VietinBank’s leadership in sustainable finance through its GreenUp program and Sustainable Finance Framework, supporting apparel SMEs in their green transition.

In a conversation between Kent Teh, Senior Director of Tessellation Group, and Lê Thanh Vân, CEO and Founder of GUMAC, global manufacturing expertise met local brand ambition. Tessellation emphasised that sustainability is a competitive advantage, while GUMAC reflected the aspirations of Việt Nam’s emerging fashion brands seeking green finance, strategic partnerships, and global reach.

As Chan Chao International and CCX Partners look ahead to VTG 2026, their shared vision is clear to build a platform where green capital meets manufacturing transformation and where Việt Nam’s next generation of apparel brands can thrive. — VNS