In February 2024, the Commission for Standards, Metrology and Quality of Vietnam (STAMEQ) and APO Secretariat in collaboration with the University of Textile and Garment (Vietnam), Griffith University, and CSIRO (Australia), launched a research and advisory project aimed at advancing the productivity and sustainability of Vietnam’s textile and garment industry.

This project represents a significant step in addressing the challenges faced by Vietnam’s textile and garment industry and establishing a foundation for sustainable, innovative growth. Aiming for a completion in December 2024, the project will include key milestones such as stakeholder engagement workshops, interviews, and the submission of findings for the final report. The findings will also be presented and disseminated in a workshop organized in collaboration with STAMEQ and Hanoi Textile University in the last quarter of 2024.

The textile and garment sector is a cornerstone of Vietnam’s economy, serving as a key export industry. However, it faces substantial challenges, including declining exports to major markets like the EU and USA, increased competition from other countries, and the need to balance skilled workforce retention with cost efficiency. There is also a growing demand for sustainable production practices, necessitating significant investments in time and resources.

This research and advisory project seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the current macroeconomic landscape, focusing on megatrends impacting Vietnam’s textile and garment industry. It also aims to design a long-term strategy to enhance productivity in the sector by exploring both challenges and opportunities, with a specific emphasis on the pivotal role of technology in enhancing productivity. Key objectives include identifying megatrends affecting the industry and developing future scenarios for the sector up to 2045 using data from national and international sources, complemented by insights from expert interviews.

Dr. Ha Minh Hiep, APO Director for Vietnam and Acting Director-General of STAMEQ delivered the opening speech (Photo courtesy of: Thanh Tung, Vietnam Quality Magazine)

Dr. Ha Minh Hiep, STAMEQ Acting Director-General, delivered the opening remarks and welcomed participants, including 40 industry representatives, 25 experts from universities and research institutes, and 25 officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and STAMEQ. He emphasized the importance of applying technology and innovation in the textile industry to enhance productivity and competitiveness in this era of digital transformation.

Dr. Pham Thu Hien, CSIRO, delivered a presentation. (Photo courtesy of: Thanh Tung, Vietnam Quality Magazine)

Dr. Pham Thu Hien, CSIRO, Australia, representing the project consultant team, provided an overview of the Vietnamese textile industry, highlighting major trends such as ESG sustainability indices, green standards aimed at achieving net-zero emissions, Industry 4.0 technology, proactive buyers, high-quality labor, advanced materials, and geographic trade volatility.

During the workshop, key topics related to sustainable development in the textile industry were addressed. , Compliance and Sustainability Department, Linea Aqua, Vietnam, discussed sustainable textile production, while Dr. Nong Ngoc Duy, CSIRO, Australia, presented growth scenarios for Vietnam’s textile industry. Nguyen Thanh Ngan, Deputy Head of Investment and Development, Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group, explored the carbon emission reduction policies of various countries and strategies for textile enterprises to meet those requirements. The workshop also served as a forum for managers and businesses to share insights and discuss pressing issues in the textile industry. Concluding the event, Dr. Hoang Xuan Hiep, Rector, Hanoi University of Textile and Garment Industry, reiterated that productivity and quality were among the most critical issues in the textile industry and underscored the necessity of adopting green standards to enhance competitiveness and align with current global trends.

Presenters at the workshop. (Photo courtesy of: Thanh Tung, Vietnam Quality Magazine)