•  Cascale: What were your first impressions of the Cascale Forum, and what grounded this experience as something worth attending? 

Lee Green:  Vietnam felt different, and not just because it was our largest event yet. There was a sense of urgency, yes, but also of real connection. With over 600 attendees, you might expect things to feel a bit impersonal. Instead, people came ready to lean in: curious, candid, and open to uncomfortable but necessary conversations.

For me, it was the honesty that stood out. From plenaries to breakout rooms, this wasn’t about soundbites. It was about substance. And when you see that kind of willingness to engage, from manufacturers, brands, and other key stakeholders, you know you’ve created something meaningful.

I’m super proud of what my team pulled together, and thankful for all the support from everyone at Cascale, and from our friends at Worldly.

Jay Gaines: From the moment Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, opened the forum with remarks on the human impacts of production and equity in the supply chain — especially for Vietnamese suppliers — it was clear this wouldn’t be business as usual.

The tone was grounded, candid, and refreshingly agenda-free. And in these uncertain times — with rising geopolitical tension, shifting buyer expectations, and real economic pressure on brands and suppliers — that kind of unvarnished dialogue felt both rare and essential. The stakes are high, and everyone knew it. That’s what made this forum so vital. It wasn’t just a gathering — it was a recommitment to confronting the hard stuff, together.

One moment that stuck with me: a supplier and brand talking openly about the challenge of aligning on energy goals. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t rehearsed. At times, it was tense. But out of that discomfort came something valuable — a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and constraints, and the start of a path forward that could actually work for both. That’s what real partnership looks like and that’s how we all accelerate progress.

• Cascale: Why did this event matter, and what did it reveal about the moment we’re in?

L.G.: Vietnam sits at the heart of the global supply chain, especially for apparel and footwear. As captured in Cascale’s recent Vietnam Country Report, it’s the world’s third-largest apparel exporter, and a major player when it comes to manufacturing. So hosting our event there wasn’t just symbolic; it was intentional.

We consciously move the Cascale Forum to a different location in Asia each year, because this is where the majority of the world’s production takes place. And Vietnam, in particular, is at a critical juncture. From navigating decarbonization pressures to facing new trade uncertainties, it’s a country that embodies both the challenges and the potential of our industry.

But this wasn’t just a forum about sustainability; it was about listening to what manufacturers need, and how brands and other stakeholders can and must step up. The fact that people still showed up, in numbers and with intention, tells me we’re building something that resonates.

One moment that really stayed with me was Sim Thai’s honest reflection on what conversations with buyers usually look like. She is director of a small, vertically integrated factory in Vietnam, Thai Son S.P Cut&Sew Knitwear Company and shared that climate rarely even makes it to the negotiating table — it’s still all about price. And yet, she’s made improvements anyway, because it’s the right thing to do. That kind of candour matters. It reminds us why manufacturers need to be seen and heard as full partners, not just implementers.

J.G.:  Exactly. Vietnam and the entire Southeast Asia region has long been a critical hub for global manufacturing, but this forum came at a particularly important moment. The growing uncertainty around U.S. tariffs and trade policy was front of mind for many participants. Suppliers are under pressure. Brands are recalibrating. Everyone is navigating risk.

And yet — despite that uncertainty — what stood out was the level of engagement. People still showed up. They leaned in. They asked hard questions. That kind of presence matters. It signals that even in moments of stress, this community is still choosing progress over paralysis. Still choosing to collaborate instead of retreating into silos.

That’s the kind of resilience the industry needs right now.

All smiles from attendees at the Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City.

• Cascale: How would you describe the partnership between Cascale and Worldly at this event?

L.G.:  I’d describe it as focused, complementary, and genuinely collaborative. It was a real partnership, not just in name, but in how we showed up.

We also know that the connection between Cascale, Worldly, and the Higg Index hasn’t always been as clear as it could be, and we’ve heard that from members. That’s why we’ve launched a new communications initiative, starting with a short benchmarking survey, to better understand what’s working and where we can improve. Showing up side by side at events like the Cascale Forum is part of that clarity effort. We want people to see that while our roles are distinct, we’re pulling in the same direction, helping the industry move from talk to action, together.

J.G.:  I’d agree with Lee wholeheartedly and add another resounding theme into the mix: strength through substance.

This forum worked because Cascale and Worldly each brought what we do best. Cascale created the structure: a space for dialogue, with the right mix of voices in the room. Worldly brought depth: the data, tools, and insight that help turn big conversations into operational action.

Our partnership isn’t about uniformity — it’s about momentum. Cascale is the convener and standard-setter. Worldly delivers the platform and insights that make implementation and collaborative action possible at scale. Together, we helped shape not just the agenda, but the tone: open, pragmatic, and focused on action.

• Cascale: How are Cascale and Worldly building on the momentum from Vietnam, and what value should our stakeholders expect next?

L.G.: One of the most exciting things to come out of Vietnam is the momentum it’s generated for deeper collaboration. We’re already exploring future co-hosted events and new ways to better integrate our work across member engagement, product development, and communications.

I’m also really proud of the work we’re doing together to improve how we explain the Higg Index and clarify the distinct but connected roles Cascale and Worldly play. If we can make that simpler and clearer for users, we’ll remove a major barrier to action.

I’m genuinely excited about where we’re heading, but I’m also under no illusions about the scale of the challenge. If this industry is going to transform in the way we all know it needs to, we’ll need persistence, partnership, and a bit of patience. We’re in it for the long haul.

J.G.:  Vietnam wasn’t a victory lap — it was a launchpad. As Lee mentioned, we’re already working together on future co-hosted gatherings that bring brands and suppliers together in new ways. Our shared goal is to enable more open discourse, drive more aligned action, and deliver measurable change across the value chain.

Whether it’s a convening, a framework, or a dataset, each of us brings something different and valuable to the table. The power comes from doing it together. Not just Worldly and Cascale working in sync, but from fostering the kind of collaboration between brands and manufacturers that actually moves the needle.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what this partnership is really about: amplifying impact through collaboration. Between our organizations, yes — but even more critically, between the stakeholders we serve. When we align around shared goals and take action with transparency and trust, that’s when progress becomes possible.

• Cascale: What’s one takeaway from the event that industry stakeholders shouldn’t ignore?

L.G.:  Manufacturers are speaking up more, and being listened to. It’s not just token participation anymore. We saw real co-creation happening, both on stage and behind the scenes. That shift, where manufacturers aren’t just implementers but true partners in shaping sustainability, is one to watch.

We all know this needs to happen. And as an organization, we have to be held accountable if we can’t help make it happen.

J.G.:  The biggest takeaway for me is that there has never been a more opportune moment to capture the momentum we’re seeing — and to elevate how we support collaboration across the value chain.

Forums like this show us that, when we communicate openly and listen closely, we’re often more aligned than we think. The urgency is shared. The commitment is shared. The goals are shared.

One moment that stood out for me was during a workshop Worldly and Cascale hosted at the forum on our new Insights Hub. We brought brands and manufacturers together, side by side, and it didn’t take long for the conversation to evolve. They weren’t just exploring the data — they were brainstorming, in real time, how they could use it together to identify hotspots, collaborate more effectively, and move faster on joint priorities. That’s the kind of interaction we need more of — pragmatic, data-driven, and rooted in mutual understanding.

Because if we want equitable progress — not just progress that makes sense for some players — then collaboration has to be the operating system. And that includes aligning incentives, economics, and expectations in ways that make sense for everyone involved.

• Cascale: If you could leave readers with one final reflection, what would it be?

L.G.: Just a huge thank you; to everyone who made Vietnam possible. From our speakers and sponsors to the local partners, Worldly, and the Cascale team. These events really do take a village.

But more than that, I think Vietnam reminded us that this work only moves forward when we show up…together. Not just once a year, but consistently. That’s what we’re committed to. And if we keep listening, collaborating, and pushing each other to do better, I genuinely believe we can help shift this industry in the right direction.

J.G.:  Yes, the future feels daunting — and the scale of environmental, social, and labor challenges we face can be paralyzing.

But systems thinking, strong partnerships, the right data, and effective collaboration will help us continue to turn intention into momentum.

What Vietnam made clear to me is this: the path forward won’t be straight or simple, but none of us are walking it alone. And that makes all the difference.

Attendees were engaged and eager to delve further into the latest changes around global trade, aligning broader sustainability aims.