Cascale’s gathering, previously known as the Manufacturer Forum, also aims to foster collaborative efforts towards achieving sustainability objectives that benefit the consumer goods sector.
Scheduled for 14-15 May 2025 in Ho Chi Minh city, this year’s forum emphasises the importance of sustainable practices, highlighting Vietnam’s significant position as a leading global exporter in textiles, fashion and footwear.
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Adopting the theme “Co-Creating Tomorrow: Unified Action for People & Planet,” the two-day conference will serve as an impetus for joint initiatives. The forum is accessible to both Cascale members and other participants involved in the industry.
For the first time, it merges the Manufacturer and Brand & Retail Forums into a single integrated event and takes place in one of the world’s pivotal production centres.
Cascale says Vietnam has emerged as a pivotal hub for the production of environmentally conscious consumer products, particularly within the sectors of textiles, garments, and footwear, as well as bags.
The country’s revenue in this domain is projected to hit $44bn in 2024, marking an increase of over 11% from the previous year. This positions Vietnam as the second-largest global fashion exporter, trailing only behind China.
The Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) has set a target to generate export revenues exceeding $47bn within the current year while adhering to its environmental commitments. These include a strategic shift towards renewable energy adoption as part of Vietnam’s broader goal to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2050.
In alignment with Cascale’s objective to attain a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions throughout the apparel industry’s value chain by 2030, Vietnam is actively participating in climate action initiatives.
Among these are the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap and the GIZ PDP Solar Rooftop Initiative. Both programmes are designed to aid Vietnamese manufacturers in their efforts to lower carbon footprints and contribute significantly to industry-wide decarbonisation.
Cascale CEO Colin Browne said: “There could not be a better time or place to convene on sustainability challenges given the evolving regulatory landscape and resounding appeal for industry to fill in the gaps where promises are often falling short. Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have,’ it’s a business imperative.
“Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City is an opportunity for stakeholders to embed future-proofing practices into core business strategies to drive growth, resilience, and lasting impact. We are honoured to host it in Vietnam, a country who remains committed to delivering on green initiatives while being in close proximity to the sourcing regions and manufacturer networks who see the first-hand impacts of the climate crisis and deepening injustices.”
The forum will also present discussions, insights on Cascale’s Higg Index tools, which are accessible via Worldly, inspirational talks, an interactive exhibition space, and specialised training sessions.
The forum’s direction is steered by an advisory council comprising influential figures from organisations such as the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), Crystal International, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Hirdaramani Group, New Balance, Puma Group, and the VITAS.
