Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City – A Unified Approach to Sustainable Manufacturing
The Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City, scheduled for May 14-15, 2025, will serve as a pivotal gathering of manufacturers, suppliers, brands, retailers, and key industry stakeholders. The event aims to drive actionable solutions for decarbonization, environmental performance enhancement, responsible purchasing practices, and the reduction of audit fatigue. With sustainability at its core, the forum highlights Vietnam’s strategic importance as the world’s second-largest exporter of textiles, apparel, and footwear. For the first time, Cascale’s Manufacturer and Brand & Retail Forums will be merged into a single, comprehensive platform, fostering deeper collaboration and industry-wide transformation.
Vietnam, a crucial hub in the global supply chain, continues to play a significant role in the evolution of sustainable manufacturing. As environmental and social governance (ESG) becomes a priority across industries, the forum will address the pressing sustainability challenges faced by manufacturers, brands, and policymakers. With an impressive roster of advisory council members—including leaders from the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), Crystal International, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Hirdaramani Group, New Balance, Puma Group, and the Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association (VITAS)—this two-day immersive event is designed to foster meaningful dialogue and actionable strategies.
Addressing Sustainability as a Business Imperative
Colin Browne, CEO of Cascale, will deliver the forum’s opening address, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainability initiatives to be integrated into core business strategies. “Given the evolving regulatory landscape and increasing demand for accountability, sustainability is no longer optional—it’s a business imperative,” Browne stated. “Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City provides a unique opportunity for industry stakeholders to embed future-proofing practices into their operations, ensuring long-term resilience and impact. Vietnam remains a leader in sustainable initiatives, making it an ideal location to host this critical industry gathering.”
The forum will serve as a platform for key industry players to explore solutions that align with global sustainability goals while enhancing operational efficiency. As the global demand for ethical and environmentally responsible practices intensifies, businesses are under increasing pressure to innovate and implement scalable solutions. The event will showcase how collaboration between brands, manufacturers, and policymakers can drive substantial improvements in environmental performance and social responsibility.
A Strategic Partnership for Industry-Wide Impact
Scott Raskin, CEO of Worldly and Lead Partner of Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City, underscores the importance of industry collaboration in achieving meaningful progress. “Suppliers are facing mounting pressure to meet sustainability targets, navigate complex reporting requirements, and manage audit fatigue, all while running their businesses efficiently,” Raskin noted. “By partnering with Cascale, we are developing solutions that enhance transparency, streamline data-sharing, and promote real collaboration between brands and their suppliers. Our goal is to reduce redundancies and focus on impactful progress—lowering environmental impact while improving working conditions.”
The forum will present best practices for reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to sustainable energy sources. With Vietnam targeting carbon neutrality by 2050, industry leaders will discuss pathways to achieving substantial reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Cascale’s goal of a 45% reduction in GHG emissions across the apparel industry value chain by 2030 aligns with Vietnam’s sustainability ambitions, reinforcing the need for concerted efforts through initiatives such as the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap and GIZ PDP Solar Rooftop Initiative.
Vietnam’s Role in the Global Sustainability Movement
Vietnam’s textile, apparel, and footwear industry has experienced remarkable growth, with an estimated revenue of $44 billion in 2024—a more than 11% increase from the previous year. VITAS projects further growth, aiming for over $47 billion in export revenue in 2025, demonstrating the country’s commitment to sustainable development and economic resilience. The industry’s success underscores Vietnam’s potential to become a global leader in green manufacturing, as stakeholders increasingly prioritize renewable energy adoption, waste reduction, and circular economy practices.
The forum will highlight how Vietnam’s sustainability strategies align with broader global efforts to mitigate climate change. As a key manufacturing hub, Vietnam faces unique challenges, including regulatory compliance, resource management, and ethical labor practices. Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City will serve as a crucial venue for discussing these issues and identifying solutions that can be implemented at scale.
Unified Action for a Sustainable Future
The theme of the 2025 forum, “Co-Creating Tomorrow: Unified Action for People & Planet,” reflects the industry’s commitment to collective progress. Attendees will participate in thought-provoking sessions covering key topics such as:
- Updates on Cascale’s Higg Index tools, available exclusively on Worldly, to enhance transparency and sustainability tracking.
- Expert insights on decarbonization strategies and renewable energy integration in manufacturing.
- Specialized training sessions offering certifications that enhance organizational credibility and commitment to sustainable practices.
- A dynamic exhibition area showcasing innovative solutions from industry leaders and sustainability pioneers.
Kyle Chung, Assistant General Manager of Corporate Quality and Sustainability at Crystal Group Limited, emphasized the significance of industry-wide collaboration: “This forum is an opportunity for manufacturers to voice their perspectives and drive impactful change across the global fashion value chain.”
Similarly, Leonie Vaas, General Manager of Sustainability at Hirdaramani Apparel, reinforced the importance of shared solutions: “The Cascale Forum provides a valuable platform for industry leaders to discuss, innovate, and implement sustainable practices that will shape the future of apparel manufacturing.”
Tony Hung, Supply Chain Sustainability Manager at New Balance, highlighted the necessity of collective action: “At New Balance, we recognize that the only way to create a more responsible apparel and footwear industry is by working closely with peers, supply chain partners, and local communities.”
A Call to Action for Lasting Change
Lee Green, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications at Cascale, emphasized that the forum is more than just an industry event—it is a movement toward real, measurable change. “We’ve listened closely to our members and the broader industry, identifying where we can make the greatest impact. The Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City is a culmination of these efforts, designed to bring together key players across the value chain with manufacturers at the core. This event offers a unique opportunity to collaborate, learn, and take action on the most pressing sustainability issues.”
With the apparel, footwear, and textile industries facing mounting environmental and ethical challenges, the need for unified action has never been greater. The Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City will serve as a catalyst for progress, empowering businesses to embrace sustainability as a fundamental aspect of their operations. By fostering innovation, collaboration, and shared accountability, the forum will play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for the global manufacturing industry.
In a world where sustainability is no longer optional, but a necessity, the Cascale Forum stands as a testament to the industry’s commitment to creating a positive impact. As stakeholders gather in Vietnam for this landmark event, the message is clear: the time for action is now.
