The “Golden Hands” title at the 7th Vietnam Textile and Garment Skilled Workers Competition, organized by Vinatex and the Vietnam Textile and Garment Trade Union in 2026, is not only an individual worker’s achievement but also the result of collective effort. Seamless coordination between production stages and innovative production line organization proved to be the key to extending Huegatex’s winning streak in the knitwear category. The achievement also provides a model for upgrading skills that can be replicated across all Huegatex factories.
When we met Golden Hands award recipient – Ms. Ho Thi Thao and Chairman of the Huegatex Trade Union – Mr. Nguyen Tien Hau, after the competition, the excitement was still palpable. Huegatex was not only the host of the knitwear competition but also the reigning champion in the category, having won the title at the 6th competition in 2023. The pressure of competing on home ground, coupled with the achievements of previous teams, became a source of motivation, giving the Huegatex team the confidence to take on the challenge. Join Vietnam Textile and Fashion Magazine as we hear their reflections on the preparation process, confidence, and determination of the people of Vietnam’s former imperial capital.
Success is a team effort, not an individual achievement
Ho Thi Thao, a worker at Garment Factory No. 4 of Hue Textile and Garment Joint Stock Company (Huegatex), was the factory’s sole representative in the knitwear category of the Skilled Workers Competition held in August 2026. After working overtime to support the 60-days push to fullfill orders, Thao continued to make time to hone her skills. One month before the competition, the factory arranged for her to train alongside 4 teammates. Together, they assessed each member’s strengths to determine the optimal production line layout and coordinate their work to complete products efficiently.
This year’s competition introduced a more demanding format designed to better distinguish the teams’ capabilities: each team had to complete 3 polo shirts and 3 pairs of shorts within 25 minutes. The challenge involved not only sewing speed and quality, but also the ability to organize production flexibly, arrange equipment, allocate labor, balance the production line, and handle unexpected situations. According to Thao, this was a practical innovation that helped workers not only improve their technical skills but also develop a mindset for continuous improvement, adaptability across different product styles, and teamwork.
Having been with Huegatex for 10 years, Thao began her career at Garment Factory No. 3, performing basic tasks such as attaching labels and packing finished products. In 2018, when Garment Factory No. 4 began operations, she proactively requested a transfer to the new factory for easier commuting and was assigned to the production floor. Starting out with no experience in her new role, Thao persevered in learning the required techniques and familiarizing herself with the machinery and equipment. She quickly rose to become one of the factory’s highest-productivity workers and was recognized on several occasions at Huegatex’s year-end party. However, the Skilled Workers Competition marked a new milestone for her, offering her first opportunity to test her skills in a specialized professional contest.
According to Thao, the key to high productivity lies not in individual effort alone, but in the coordination of the entire production line. Each worker must make the most of their capabilities while maintaining a steady production rhythm and supporting teammates. The most important principle is to get it right the first time: fully understand the technical requirements, ensure that machinery, equipment, and materials are properly prepared, perform each operation accurately, eliminate unnecessary movements, and maintain quality control at every stage. Speed must go hand in hand with accuracy, product appearance and consistency, rather than pursuing output at any cost.
Lessons from the production floor
Mr. Nguyen Tien Hau – Deputy General Director and Chairman of the Huegatex Trade Union, said the company had made thorough preparations for the 2026 Skilled Workers Competition, from contestant selection to training arrangements. The selection process was conducted objectively, based on the results of the company-level competition and a comprehensive assessment of each candidate’s technical skills, quality of work, productivity, discipline, sense of responsibility, learning ability, and competitive composure. In the two months before the competition, contestants were provided with dedicated training time, equipment, and organized practice sessions to ensure they could meet the new requirements effectively.
Every year, Huegatex organizes a company-level Skilled Workers Competition to assess and improve employees’ skills, promote emulation initiatives, and identify outstanding workers to represent the company at industry-level competitions. It also provides an opportunity for employees to exchange knowledge and experience, recognize skilled workers, and foster a culture of continuous learning and skills development throughout the company.
A key innovation in the 2026 competition was the requirement for each team to complete 2 different product types, demanding more preparation and training time. After several trials, Huegatex opted for a “standing-workstation production line” rather than a “seated-workstation production line.” This arrangement shortened transfer times between operations, facilitated faster movement through the line, and increased flexibility in production organization. The solution helped improve workflow speed and earned the team an additional award for “Most streamlined and efficient production line design.”
Following the competition, Ho Thi Thao, the Golden Hands award recipient in the knitwear category, expressed her joy and surprise at the results achieved through persistent training and hard work. She was also delighted that her colleagues in the woven-garment category won the Bronze Hands title, even though this is not the company’s core strength. Thao hopes to share her experience with colleagues through hands-on guidance and joint practice, exchanging lessons on work techniques, quality control, problem-solving, time efficiency, and productivity improvement.
According to Thao, a skilled worker needs more than strong technical abilities. They must also be proactive in learning and making improvements, take responsibility for quality, and coordinate smoothly with colleagues. Skills can be developed through practice, but a willingness to improve and a commitment to doing better every day are the foundations of sustainable progress.
