Weaving a Sustainable Future: Kim Vu Fabric Shines at the APEC Women’s Business Activator Program
The global business landscape is being reshaped by visionary women leaders, and at the forefront of this transformative movement is the APEC Women’s Business Activator Program. This initiative, designed to empower women-led businesses, recently saw Mrs. Tran Hoang Kim Ngan (Mrs Kim Julie) , representing Kim Vu Fabric, proudly participate, bringing with her a powerful narrative of tradition, innovation, and sustainability.
Empowering Women-Led Businesses: The APEC Women’s Business Activator Program
The APEC Women’s Business Activator Program is a testament to the power of international cooperation in fostering economic well-being and gender equality. Supported by the Australian Government and meticulously implemented by the Australian APEC Study Centre and RMIT Activator, this program is a beacon for women entrepreneurs seeking to expand their ventures globally.
Its core mission is to strengthen the capacity of women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by equipping them with essential business competencies and strategies to navigate the complexities of both local and global markets
Participants engage in a dynamic blend of online and offline activities throughout 2025, culminating in an intensive five-day session in Melbourne, Australia. This immersive experience brings together powerhouse women from diverse economies such as Vietnam, Peru, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Mexico, the Philippines, China, and Thailand.
What made this program stand out was not just the technical knowledge, but the powerful cross-cultural connections it fostered. Entrepreneurs brought their stories, passions, and ambitions, building a collaborative spirit that transcended borders. It wasn’t just about expanding a business — it was about redefining leadership and purpose in the global economy.
The story Kim Vu Fabric brought to the world
Representing Kim Vu Fabrics and Fashion Co., Ltd., Mrs Kim Julie brought a deeply personal and forward-thinking narrative to the program. Her presence brought a compelling story of transforming a traditional family business model into an innovative enterprise focused on the research and development of sustainable fabrics. The company’s mission is clear:
“To position Kim Vu Fabrics and Fashion Co., Ltd. as a reliable partner providing advanced, unique, and eco-friendly materials and ODM solutions. Through international expansion, especially into APEC markets, we aim to uplift farming communities, reduce waste, and show that a small business from Ho Chi Minh City can scale globally through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.”
As Mrs Kim Julie shared, one of the greatest hurdles was aligning Vietnamese values and sustainable traditions with the fast-paced, often unsustainable global fashion industry — the second-most polluting sector in the world.
To tackle this, Kim Vu launched Pinalab, a pioneering line of sustainable fabrics made from pineapple leaves — an abundant agricultural byproduct in Vietnam, with over 40,000 hectares of pineapple grown annually from Phu Tho to Kien Giang. Rather than burning the leaves and contributing to pollution, Kim Vu turned waste into opportunity, creating a high-quality, breathable, anti-bacterial, and naturally UV-resistant fabric.
(Data Source: Journal of Science and Technology, Issue 48, 2020, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Study and Potential Evaluation of Pineapple Leaf in Textile Industry)
This innovation not only contributes to circular fashion and environmental preservation, but also generates new income sources for local farmers and elevates Vietnam’s presence in the global eco-textile movement.
Key lessons from the program
Participating in the APEC Women’s Business Activator was more than a business opportunity — it was a moment of transformation for Kim Vu. One of the most valuable takeaways was learning to better understand customer pain points through the Value Proposition Canvas.
“It has shifted us from simply selling fabrics to delivering meaningful, value-aligned solutions — building trust and long-term relationships with our buyers,” Mrs Kim Julie reflected.
This mindset shift is now guiding Kim Vu’s expansion into global markets, especially across APEC regions. The company aims to act not only as a supplier but as a bridge — connecting Vietnamese tradition with global sustainability standards.
A journey that changes everything
The journey of Kim Vu Fabric within the APEC Women’s Business Activator Program stands as an inspiring example of how tradition and innovation can coalesce to create a sustainable and impactful global enterprise. It underscores the program’s success in empowering women entrepreneurs to not only scale their businesses but also to champion critical causes, proving that purpose-driven ventures can indeed change the world, one thread at a time.
