Under the United Nations Development Goals, the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) aims to support the garment sector’s sustainable development and improve the standard of living of employees. The global fashion industry consumed 79 billion cubic metres of water, emitted 1,715 million tonne of CO2, and generated 92 million tonne of waste in 2015. The figures are forecast to grow by at least 50 percent by 2030.

Vu Duc Giang, President, VITAS opines, to achieve sustainable development and compete in the fashion industry’s global supply chain, Vietnam should focus on quality, technology, productivity, delivery time, and transparency It should also minimize its energy and resource consumption and invest in advanced technologies to meet international standards on work and the environment, he adds.

Dr Do Quynh Chi, Director, Research Centre for Employment Relations (ERC), says, Vietnamese manufacturers should improve their production values and invest in compliance with international labor and environmental standards to build a long-term and direct relationship with fashion brands.

Manufacturers should establish links with peer producers to fully explore their strengths, adds Giang. She emphasizes the importance of developing policies that promote SMEs in terms of technology and management, enabling them to participate in sustainable development standards and move up global supply chains.