In May 2025, an online training series - Watermark Cuu Long - provided practical guidance on water stewardship for textile companies. Aimed to enhance water and wastewater management, these sessions were designed to optimise production costs while protecting our vital river basins. The business response was overwhelming!

Extensive outreach: After three webinars with a participation of over 700 employees from 400 textile factories, we witnessed a wave of enthusiasm spanning from Hung Yen to Long An and beyond. Factories, eager to embrace change, engaged through Zoom sessions and further exchange on Facebook, signaling that water management is no longer an optional add-on; it's now a priority for the Vietnamese textile community.

Actionable learning: The training did not stop at "listening to know"; but transformed into dynamic forums for actionable learning, where participants actively engaged with experts, asking an average of nearly 50 questions per session. Discussions revolved around crucial topics such as measurements, auditing, wastewater treatment and recycling measures, and real-world experiences with the Higg FEM and ZDHC systems. This exchange of knowledge sparked a ripple effect amongst textile companies.

Inspiring good practices: Factory stories inspired peer actions as PPJ and Alliance One leaders shared their remarkable journeys towards water sustainability. They showcased their water audits and innovative water balance diagrams. PPJ set an ambitious goal to reduce water consumption by 30% by 2028 through investment in water-saving technologies such as lazer, Ozone and Eflow washing machines. "We used to think that water saving was the technical department’s responsibility. Since joining TFL and WWF training series from 2022, the whole factory got involved, from leadership to workshop workers. Awareness changed, and actions transformed!" a representative from PPJ proudly shared.

To further this meaningful momentum, Watermark Cuu Long Contest has been launched, encouraging factories to showcase their best practices in improving water, wastewater, and chemical management. This initiative is designed not just to inspire individual action but to cultivate a collective commitment to protecting shared watersheds.

Collective action: Step #4 in the 5-step WWF Water Stewardship Ladder is also reflected in this programme. Collaborating with WWF, GIZ, 14 international fashion brands and technical partners, we have cultivated the TFL Learning Community, amplifying learning opportunities and sharing exemplary practices in water resource sustainability.

The marvelous community of practitioners from factories, brands and the team of trainers has always been motivated to further invest in technical resources that creates a lasting impact in each factory. Yet, the excitement doesn’t end here; a new chapter awaits! Get ready to embark on the next season ‘Watermark Dong Nai’, which is set to launch in October 2025. Let’s keep the momentum going and join heart and hand for a healthy water resource.