Between Green Costs and True Value — Faslink’s Steadfast Journey Toward Sustainable Fashion

Vietnam’s Green Economy at a Crossroads

In recent years, the phrase “green economy” has gained momentum across Vietnam. From biodegradable packaging to organic foods and sustainable fashion, more enterprises are embracing responsible production.

Yet behind this progress lies a difficult reality — high production costs, limited technology, and price-sensitive consumers.

As highlighted in The EXCHANGE Asia (September 21, 2025) — a feature published under the framework of the ESG PLUS Awards — many Vietnamese companies pioneering eco-friendly goods are still struggling to scale due to cost burdens and market readiness challenges.

About the ESG PLUS Awards

The ESG PLUS Awards is dedicated to recognising outstanding businesses and entrepreneurs driving sustainable transformation through their commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) excellence.

It celebrates innovation, responsible leadership, and sustainability, offering a prestigious platform that enhances brand credibility and fosters strategic partnerships and cross-industry collaboration.

By championing ESG best practices, the award empowers businesses to achieve long-term resilience and global recognition, shaping a more sustainable and ethical future for all.

Faslink — 15 Years of Turning Waste Into Wear

Among the stories featured, Faslink stands out as a long-term example of persistence and purpose. Since 2008, Faslink has been committed to sustainable fashion through local, regenerative materials — developing fibers made from pineapple leaves, coffee grounds, lotus stems, bamboo, and recycled blends. Behind every meter of fabric lies significant investment in R&D, certification, and clean production, often making green materials 20–40% more expensive than conventional polyester or cotton.

Yet for Faslink, that cost reflects conviction rather than compromise: “Sustainability cannot be just a slogan. Every fiber we make carries a story of responsibility — to the land, the people, and the future of fashion,” said Nguyen Bich Dien, Deputy General Director of Faslink, in the interview with The EXCHANGE Asia.

Turning Challenges Into Collective Innovation

Like other sustainable manufacturers, Faslink faces barriers such as limited clean input materials, expensive technology, and small-scale operations. But instead of stepping back, the company moves forward through collaboration and open innovation. Its Open Innovation Ecosystem brings together farmers, engineers, research partners, and designers, co-developing new sustainable materials that blend Vietnamese cultural roots with global standards.

Flagship materials like PINALINA™ (from pineapple leaves), All About Café™ (from coffee grounds), and Lotus CollaTech (from lotus collagen) reflect not only Faslink’s technological capability but also its commitment to redefining the value of local resources

Bridging the Gap Between Awareness and Action

A Deloitte Vietnam survey cited in the article found that while 50% of consumers express interest in sustainable products, fewer than 30% are willing to pay a premium.

To close this gap, Faslink focuses on three core pillars:

• Technology: improving energy efficiency, water recycling, and biomass use to lower production costs.
• Education: running campaigns like “Mặc THƠM”  and “Second Life”, Works shop: Fabric Fusion 2025 that allow consumers to experience sustainable fashion firsthand.
• Transparency: building traceable supply chains that help global buyers trust and choose Vietnamese eco-textiles.

The Long Road Is Worth It

Faslink’s story represents Vietnam’s twin transformation — digital and green. Despite cost challenges, the company continues to weave sustainability into every thread — not as a trend, but as a long-term mission.

“The true value of fashion doesn’t lie on the surface of the fabric — but in the journey behind each thread, where hope for a sustainable future is woven in.”