In the textile and garment industry’s journey toward green transformation and sustainable development, the media serves not only as a channel for information dissemination but also as a “green thread” connecting businesses with markets, investors, financial institutions, and the broader community. In an interview with Vietnam Textile Garment & Fashion Magazine, Mr. Le Trong Minh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Finance and Investment Newspaper, shared his perspectives on the role of the media in raising awareness, promoting green transformation, and supporting enterprises in enhancing their competitiveness while pursuing sustainable development.
Interviewer: In the context of the textile and garment industry facing increasingly pressing demands for digital transformation and green transition, how do you assess the role of the media in supporting enterprises as they adapt to these trends?
Mr. Le Trong Minh: I believe that the media is not merely a communication channel for promoting products; it also serves as a catalyst that amplifies the values enterprises strive to create. Through media coverage, efforts related to digital transformation, green transition, corporate social responsibility, and corporate culture can gain broader recognition and stronger public trust than through self-promotional communications.
More importantly, the media also plays the role of a constructive watchdog. Objective perspectives from the press help businesses identify shortcomings, improve governance practices, and strengthen operational performance. At the same time, timely reporting on non-transparent business practices contributes to fostering a healthier business environment.
In the context of the global shift toward green growth and sustainable development, I believe the relationship between the media and businesses should be regarded as a strategic partnership rather than merely a channel for publicity. The media helps enterprises communicate meaningful stories and long-term values to society, while businesses contribute practical experiences, emerging trends, and industry expertise that enhance the quality and relevance of media coverage.
In today’s environment, where information spreads rapidly, businesses must also take a more proactive approach to communications. Whenever issues arise or explanations are needed, timely, accurate, and transparent disclosure is critical. Silence or delayed responses can create an information vacuum, allowing unverified narratives to influence public perception and potentially damage trust in the business.
To maximize the effectiveness of green transformation and sustainable development initiatives, businesses need to partner with reputable media organizations that possess a strong understanding of their industries and can effectively reach the intended audience. When communication is delivered through trusted channels and reaches the right audience, the influence and resonance of new strategies, commitments, and development goals are greatly amplified.
In my view, the partnership between the media and businesses delivers its greatest value when it is grounded in transparency, responsibility, and a shared vision for sustainable growth. Under these conditions, the media not only reports on corporate activities but also helps communicate the broader economic and social value that businesses generate through their development efforts.
In your view, how should the media adapt its approach and communication methods so that it not only reports on sustainability initiatives but also encourages textile and garment enterprises to pursue sustainable development in a more substantive manner? How can green transformation be presented as a compelling and engaging topic that resonates with the public while helping audiences gain a comprehensive and accurate understanding of this trend?
Green transformation is no longer optional, it has become a prerequisite for textile and garment enterprises that wish to remain competitive and continue accessing global export markets. However, one of the greatest challenges is that concepts related to sustainable development are often highly technical and difficult for the public to fully understand.
I believe the media should act as a “bridge” between technical expertise and public understanding. Complex concepts related to sustainability need to be translated into practical, relatable stories that resonate with people’s daily lives. Instead of focusing exclusively on emissions targets or circular economy indicators, the conversation should highlight how green transformation influences jobs, incomes, business resilience, and long-term economic development. To achieve this, communication efforts should place greater emphasis on storytelling and adopt a people-centered approach. Through relatable examples, visual illustrations, and real-world experiences, the media can help audiences connect with the purpose and value of the green transition. When the public understands and supports these initiatives, sustainable development goals can be implemented far more effectively.
Instead of focusing solely on a new production line or a major capital investment, we should tell the stories of workers who benefit from safer and better working conditions, and businesses that are able to conserve resources, reduce costs, and secure orders through their green transition efforts. When audiences can see the tangible benefits and practical value of these initiatives, they are far more likely to relate to them and embrace the message.
The media should also take a comprehensive view of the global sustainability standards, which is undoubtedly becoming an essential part of international trade and development, there are instances where environmental requirements may function as technical trade barriers or protection tools. This issue should be reported objective to help businesses make more informed decisions and support state management agency in formulating appropriate policies.
To make communication on green transformation more effective, businesses must also take a proactive role in partnering with the media, through providing background information, sharing transparent data, and facilitating factory visits and press trips with clearly defined objectives. Companies should also engage journalists who possess relevant expertise and a strong understanding of both the business and the industry. When the media has a clear understanding of the underlying issues, stories about sustainability and green transformation become more vivid and compelling, enabling them to generate a stronger impact and broader resonance across society.
Many textile and garment enterprises are currently under pressure to invest in both green transformation and digital transformation while facing limited financial resources. In your view, what approach should companies take to ensure that these transformation efforts meet market requirements while also delivering effective returns on investment? At the same time, what role can the media play in helping businesses strengthen their credibility and transparency in the eyes of investors and financial institutions, thereby improving access to green financing and other sustainable development funding solutions?
In my view, businesses should view green and digital transformation as a business imperative. They are no longer merely matters of environmental responsibility or sustainable development; they have become essential requirements for maintaining competitiveness, securing orders, and deepening participation in global supply chains. As export markets continue to tighten requirements related to environmental performance, emissions, and sustainable governance, companies that are slow to adapt risk losing their competitive edge and, potentially, access to customers altogether. For this reason, investing in green transformation is necessary, but does not require large-scale investments from the outset. In practice, many international brands have already brought criteria such as carbon emissions, renewable energy usage, supply chain traceability, and social responsibility into their supplier selection processes. As a result, green transformation is evolving from a compliance requirement into a new source of competitive advantage for textile and garment enterprises.
What is important is that businesses should develop a transformation roadmap that aligns with their scale, capabilities, and available resources. Priority should be given to initiatives that deliver clear and measurable benefits, such as energy-efficiency improvements, operational optimization, the digitalization of management processes, or solutions that directly address customer requirements. Early wins provide both proof of concept and additional capacity, allowing companies to pursue the next stages of transformation more effectively.
In addition, compliance with green standards is increasingly becoming an important factor in accessing capital. Today, many investors and financial institutions evaluate not only a company’s business performance but also its commitments to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles before deciding whether to invest, establish partnerships, or extend credit.
In this process, the media plays a crucial role as a bridge connecting businesses, financial institutions, and regulatory authorities. Through forums, thematic seminars, and networking initiatives, the media helps bring these stakeholders closer together, enabling businesses to gain access to information on green finance, financial support programs, and emerging requirements from international markets. At the same time, the media contributes to strengthening corporate transparency and credibility by providing objective coverage of companies’ efforts in green transformation and sustainable development. Such visibility serves as an important basis for investors, banks, and business partners when assessing a company’s governance capabilities.
I believe that the role of the media today extends far beyond simply reporting the news. It has become a platform for connecting knowledge, resources, and opportunities for collaboration. When businesses, media organizations, and financial institutions work together, the textile and garment industry’s green transformation journey can be advanced in a more effective, practical, and meaningful manner.
Thank you very much for sharing your insights!
