Asia Garment Hub
Training: To the Finish Line of Higg FEM (Vietnamese)
Industry-backed collaboration to improve environmental performance and data accuracy using Cascale’s Higg FEM 4.0 - delivered in Vietnamese.
At a Glance
- Language: Vietnamese
- Audience: Apparel/textile manufacturers, brand specialists, verifiers
- Purpose: Accurate Higg FEM 4.0 data, practical implementation, measurable improvements
- Timeframe: Initiated by GIZ with partners (2023–2024); transitioning to TFL Viet Nam stewardship
Implemented by the Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS) under Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of BMZ; sustained by TFL Viet Nam.
What is TFL?
To the Finish Line (TFL) is a collective action and learning platform that supports manufacturers in Viet Nam to improve environmental performance through Cascale’s Higg FEM 4.0. It blends structured training, technical deep-dives, and practitioner meet-ups to drive accurate reporting and real operational change.
Programme Pillars
1) TFL Higg FEM Training Programme
A Vietnamese-language pathway that takes facilities from understanding Higg FEM 4.0 requirements to implementing improvements and preparing for verification.
2) TFL Higg FEM Deep Dives
Annual priority topics selected by the TFL Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) for hands-on, practice-first learning.
- 2023: Waste (Waste No More) + CAT++ Climate Action Training
- 2024: GHG Internal Audit and GHG Management System
3) Higg FEM Meet-Ups
An annual, in-person workshop for leading practitioners—verifiers, high-performing manufacturers, brand specialists—to align interpretations to local context and improve data accuracy.
Tools & Downloads
Governance
TFL Viet Nam
From 2024 onwards, TFL Viet Nam has been financed primarily through private-sector contributions, operating on a not-for-profit, open-book accounting basis. During the transition phase up to June 2025, GIZ provided facilitation and quality assurance. TFor a limited time, training information from 2023 is available to view here.
TFL Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC)
TTAC provides technical oversight for TFL’s training, deep-dives, and meet-ups to keep them relevant and high quality. Membership is by invitation/nomination based on expertise, with pro-bono, ad-hoc contributions.
Impact indicators TTAC tracks:
- Can the training deliver quality + cost-efficiency for long-term industry financing?
- Do meet-ups improve systemic data accuracy, moving manufacturers toward self-governance?
Coordination Team
Chi Phan - GIZ Facilitator
Senior Project Officer at GIZ Viet Nam with a background in Chemistry and Material Sciences, and 20+ years’ experience across the global textile supply chain (Vestergaard, Bao Minh Textile, Higg Co, VITAS, GIZ, IVCC and others).
Duong Dang - Programme Coordinator
Holds Master’s degrees in Transdisciplinary Social Development and Responsible Management & Sustainable Economic Development. Nearly 10 years coordinating sustainability projects with government, academia, and business—focused on training and advisory.
TTAC Member Profiles
Bien Vu - Country Manager, Leadership & Sustainability
Cascale Higg FEM Approved Trainer; ZDHC Accredited Trainer; Cascale General & Chemical Specialist Verifier; Technical Team Leader for TFL Higg FEM 2023. Extensive verification experience across textile, garment & footwear facilities in SEA.
Chinh Nguyen - Manager Environmental Sustainability, PUMA SE
MSc in Chemical Engineering; 10+ years across R&D, QA, H&S, CR, and Environmental Sustainability at multinationals including TotalEnergies, Petroineos, VF and PUMA. Expert in Higg FEM, ZDHC, Textile Exchange and related standards.
Linh Cao - Environmental Sustainability, ON Viet Nam
Bachelor’s in Business Administration and MBA in Sustainable Fashion. 11 years in sportswear and footwear from quality to sustainability, focusing on environmental performance and circularity at ON Viet Nam.
Minh Nguyen - Senior Manager, Compliance, Facility Engineering & Sustainability, Hanesbrands Viet Nam Office
20+ years in manufacturing across operations, supply chain, QA, and auditing at Unilever, IKEA, and Hanesbrands. Deep expertise in LEAN, Sustainability, and Compliance.
Oanh Nguyen - HSE & Sustainability Manager, Saitex International
MSc in Health, Safety & Environment; 19 years in Nike shoe factories and garment sector. Familiar with Higg FEM/FSLM, Bluesign, B-Corp, Cradle to Cradle, Regenagri/GOTS/GRS/RCS/OCS, SA8000, ISO 14001, Oeko-Tex, Better Work, and more.
Partners & Get Involved
Interested in participating in the next TFL meet-up or enrolling facilities in training? Contact the TFL Viet Nam coordination team.
