5 Vietnamese sustainable fashion brands make their mark

Having spent two decades working as an environmental chemist in Switzerland, Pham Ngoc Anh made the bold decision to leave behind a secure career and return to Vietnam, founding La Pham in 2016. Raised in a family guided by scientific thought—her father a scientist—she once set aside her love for fashion to pursue environmental research. But an invitation to design ao dai for the Burning Man festival rekindled her creative spark and led her into the world of fashion, guided by a sustainable fashion ethos: minimising waste while honouring traditional materials such as silk, hemp and brocade. Six years on, La Pham has graced both local and international runways, including a notable appearance at the UN Dress competition in Switzerland in 2022—marking Vietnamese fashion as one rooted in culture and committed to the environment.

At the heart of La Pham lies the brand’s signature fabric: brocade—earthy, rich in cultural heritage, and brimming with authenticity. Woven by artisans in Lac village, Mai Chau, each length of cloth carries its own story, shaped by the maker’s hands and spirit. Yet, the lack of standardisation and certification presents obstacles to taking brocade global. Still, driven by responsibility and deep passion, Ngoc Anh has turned such imperfections into distinctive charm, creating timeless, wearable pieces that avoid waste and tread lightly on the environment. For her, sustainable fashion is a vehicle to inspire conscious consumption, environmental awareness and the preservation of cultural traditions.

La Pham does not follow the hurried pace of fast fashion. Instead, it remains true to its values—selecting local materials to reduce carbon footprints and designing pieces meant to endure. Over time, the label has earned its place in the market, proving that fashion can be as meaningful as it is beautiful. Ngoc Anh’s journey is a source of inspiration to a new generation of designers, showing that Vietnamese fashion, when built on identity and integrity, can carve out its future sustainably on the global stage.

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Moi Dien, the brainchild of designer Tom Trandt (Tran Minh Dao), is a vibrant force bringing Vietnamese spirit into contemporary sustainable fashion. A graduate of Parsons in New York, Tom harbours a bold ambition: to reflect Vietnamese identity through daring, offbeat designs. The name Moi Dien, meaning “speak your mind”, is both memorable and meaningful—a declaration of individuality and creativity. From Tui ba gang and Canh kieu to Cai bang, each piece unfolds a cultural narrative, told with a tone that is eccentric, humorous and refreshingly nuanced.

With unisex silhouettes echoing the flowing lines of traditional ao dai and ao ngu than, the brand champions gender fluidity while reaffirming that Vietnamese fashion has never been confined by rules. It’s expressive, fearless—and unmistakably Vietnamese.

Tom Trandt does not chase trends. Instead, he devotes careful attention to each creation. For him, producing fewer pieces to a higher standard is the true path—every shirt, every pair of trousers, a carefully crafted work of art. From the choice of sustainable materials to each hand-finished stitch, his perfectionist approach has helped Moi Dien capture the attention of both local and international fashion circles. The label is a frequent presence on leading runways and featured in esteemed global fashion publications. Still, its “crazy” aesthetic—while appealing to those drawn to daring design—can be unfamiliar territory for customers more accustomed to mainstream styles.

The “KAO Profession” collection, created in partnership with Community Buzz /+84/, stands as a defining moment in Moi Dien’s sustainable journey. Crafted using scrap fabric and recycled cotton, it not only lowers environmental impact but also powerfully advocates for a zero-waste mindset. Taking cues from the diverse working culture of Saigon, each piece—particularly those in denim—is marked by asymmetrical patterns and bold colour transitions, offering a rebellious statement for a generation ready to dream and to act. With every design, Moi Dien goes beyond clothing to tell stories, forging deep emotional ties with its audience. It’s more than a fashion brand—it’s a cultural movement, one that ignites creativity and pride among Vietnam’s youth, boldly setting its sights on the global stage.

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Dong Dong—a name that evokes the slow swirl of Saigon’s afternoons—was founded in March 2020 by Kieu Anh, Thao Trang and Tu Quan. Prompted by concerns over the volume of discarded plastic tarpaulins flooding urban areas, they began experimenting with ways to transform this material into fashion. Awning and truck tarpaulins, once bound for landfill, became one-of-a-kind backpacks and handbags. After countless trials, their first upcycled backpack emerged—not only stylish and practical, but grounded in purpose: fashion that does not compromise the environment.

The name “Dong Dong” suggests a closed circle, capturing the essence of a green lifestyle centred on reducing, reusing and recycling. Each design is a second life for used tarpaulin, reimagined into bold, functional accessories that echo a distinctly Vietnamese flair.

The highlight of Dong Dong’s journey lies in its pioneering effort to transform shrimp pond liners—one of the shrimp export industry’s most significant waste materials—into fashion. With 737,000 hectares of shrimp farms across Vietnam, an estimated 1.7 to 2.6 tonnes of tarpaulin per hectare is discarded annually, most of it burned, contributing to environmental pollution. In response, Dong Dong has painstakingly developed a collection system spanning from Soc Trang to Saigon, devoting eight months to sorting and cleaning these muddy liners before turning them into refined handbags. From material once left to rot, they breathe fresh life into every design, proving that sustainable fashion can be both elegant and deeply meaningful.

Dong Dong does more than produce beautiful pieces—it shifts perspectives. Here, sustainability is not a compromise but a celebration. Every “homeland” design is imagined and crafted by Vietnamese hands, carrying a strong sense of place. Dong Dong’s journey reveals that even from humble beginnings—like old canvas—young Vietnamese creatives can tell compelling stories through fashion, contributing to a more sustainable future with pride and authenticity.

TimTay was founded in 2014, a heartfelt vision nurtured by two sisters, Hoang Tu and Hoang Anh, and brought to life through their shared devotion to craft. Tu, with a singular creative sensibility, imbues each collection with the essence of Vietnamese culture. Meanwhile, Anh, as brand builder, breathes soul into the TimTay narrative. The name “TimTay”—meaning heart and hand—is more than just a label; it reflects their guiding ethos: fashion crafted with feeling, rooted in local heritage and made with meticulous care.

Deeply inspired by Vietnamese traditions—from folk art and music to village crafts and daily rituals—TimTay’s designs are more than garments; they are stories told through fabric. The brand encourages customers to explore the richness of Vietnamese creativity and individuality. With its Silk 1 collection, TimTay reached a new milestone. Employing a zero-waste cutting technique, it boldly redefines conventional fashion, achieving a fabric waste rate of 0%, in stark contrast to the usual 15–20%.

Over the past decade, TimTay has upheld a thoughtful set of commitments: embracing natural fabrics like pure silk and cotton, ensuring products are both biodegradable and kind to the skin; sourcing locally to lower emissions while supporting homegrown businesses; and prioritising durability to extend a garment’s life. Leftover materials are never wasted—they’re reimagined or repurposed, embodying the brand’s zero-waste ethos. While the wider world races toward fleeting trends, TimTay takes a slower, more intentional path—infusing every stitch with care. In doing so, it sets a quietly powerful example, inspiring fellow Vietnamese brands to believe that sustainability and cultural storytelling can thrive together.

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