2:22:37 PM | 12/2/2025
In 1989, amid Vietnam’s “Doi Moi” (renewal) policy, a group of soldiers returning from the southwestern battlefields, starting nearly from scratch, began building TBS Group with determination and vision. At that time, there was almost no experience in the country in sports shoe manufacturing. TBS Group learned and developed independently, guided by the philosophy, “If the world can do it, we can do it,” gradually growing into a multi-industry investment corporation with nearly 50,000 employees.
Beyond its significant contributions to the national economy, TBS Group has been a pioneer in pursuing green growth and digital transformation, aiming for sustainable development.
Mai House Saigon - A 5-star hotel developed and operated by TBS Group, consistently ranked among Ho Chi Minh City’s most loved hotels
Foundation for growth and integration
Over more than three decades, TBS Group has established itself as a leading private multi-industry corporation in Vietnam, built on four strategic pillars: fashion manufacturing, real estate, logistics and operations management, and resorts and hospitality. Each sector has received systematic investment in scale, technology, and modern management capabilities, creating an efficient, closed-loop production and business ecosystem.
Leather goods and handbags remain a key pillar, supported by a network of 30 large-scale factories and production complexes across Vietnam and one factory in Indonesia, along with representative offices in countries and territories including Hong Kong, China, and the United States. As the company has grown, TBS Group has placed strong emphasis on management efficiency in both breadth and depth. This foundation enables sustainable development and deep integration into global value chains, securing TBS Group’s position as a strategic partner for many leading international fashion brands.
A major milestone in TBS Group’s development was the implementation of the SAP management system, a comprehensive digital platform that integrates and synchronizes all operations from production, warehousing, and logistics to finance and accounting. Real-time, transparent data allows leadership to make faster, more accurate decisions while continuously optimizing operational processes. This system has supported stable export growth to the United States, Europe, and numerous Asian markets.
Alongside digital transformation, TBS Group has invested heavily in automation and smart technologies, including automatic cutting machines, sensor-based quality inspection systems, and green, energy-efficient production processes. These innovations enhance productivity and cost efficiency while minimizing environmental impact, advancing a smart, sustainable manufacturing model. Notably, the TBS factory in Indonesia was built to international standards, enabling efficient service to the ASEAN supply chain.
Beyond fashion manufacturing, TBS Group develops real estate with a green focus, creating healthy, harmonious living spaces and sustainable lifestyle ecosystems that balance the interests of residents, investors, regulators, and communities.
In resorts and hospitality, TBS Group emphasizes green design, energy efficiency, and environmentally friendly operations, contributing to the development of sustainable tourism.
TBS Group also recognizes the quality of human capital as a core competitive advantage for sustainable growth. The group has established continuous training programs, ranging from basic skills to executive management, linked with clear career paths and an innovation-driven culture. Employees are encouraged to improve processes and propose green initiatives, fostering an active and responsible learning environment. To date, over 700 high-potential staff have been trained, forming a “train-the-trainer” team, a key force supporting TBS Group’s globalization strategy and advancing Vietnam’s fashion industry.
The multi-industry structure creates a closed-loop ecosystem that completes the value chain from production to distribution, enhancing TBS Group’s competitiveness and resilience to global fluctuations. Looking toward 2030, TBS Group remains committed to sustainable development, driving comprehensive digital transformation across three levels: industry, supply chain, and factory/complex. The group continues to invest in science and technology, renewable energy, and green operational models. Guided by the vision of “sustainable growth through management excellence and innovation,” TBS Group aims to become one of the top five global suppliers in the leather goods and handbag sector, strengthening its Vietnamese brand presence and contributing actively to the national industrial landscape in the era of global integration.
TBS Group also recognizes human capital quality as a core competitive advantage for sustainable growth
Pioneering green manufacturing
The leather and handbag industry is traditionally energy-intensive, chemical-heavy, and generates significant waste. At TBS Group, these challenges have become a catalyst for innovation, driving the company’s efforts to green the entire production chain, optimize efficiency, and achieve sustainable growth.
TBS Group’s factories operate wastewater treatment systems meeting Class A and B standards with a capacity of 1,500 cubic meters per day, ensuring effluents are fully treated before release. Continuous dust filtration and exhaust treatment for biomass boilers maintain a clean working environment. The use of environmentally friendly, water-based chemicals reduces soil and water impact while enhancing TBS Group’s credibility in the international supply chain.
In logistics, the Tan Van ICD center and its associated warehouses are designed for energy efficiency. Thermatech roofing reduces rooftop temperatures by up to 6 degrees Celsius and saves 15% in electricity, complemented by surrounding green landscaping, 24/7 operation monitoring, and fire protection systems. TBS Group’s factory in Indonesia follows the same green standards, expanding the supply chain and creating local employment.
TBS Group has invested in over 150,000 square meters of solar panels, generating more than 2.5 million kilowatt-hours per month to support internal operations and external distribution. Additional energy-saving measures, including LED lighting, photovoltaic sensors, natural ventilation, and treated wastewater reuse, reinforce the company’s commitment to clean production and a circular economy.
These sustained efforts have earned TBS recognition with a series of prestigious awards: four consecutive years in the Top 10 Vietnam Excellent Brands (2015-2018); three consecutive years in the Top 10 Sustainable Enterprises in Vietnam (2016-2018); the First-Class Labor Order in 2020; inclusion in the Top 10 Excellent Brands - Outstanding Business for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024; ISO 14001 certification across its entire factory system; and many other awards.
The green journey not only reduces emissions and conserves resources but also fosters a safe and humane working environment where employees become ambassadors of sustainable development. TBS Group has become a symbol of a modern Vietnamese enterprise, balancing economic growth with social responsibility while inspiring the broader business community on the path to sustainable, green production.
TBS Group has become a symbol of modern Vietnamese enterprise, balancing growth with social responsibility
People and community at the center
TBS Group believes that a business should not only generate economic value but also contribute meaningfully to society. Over the years, the company has developed and maintained practical, well-structured programs in welfare, education, and community support, establishing a strong human-centered identity.
Putting people at the heart of its operations, TBS Group implements comprehensive welfare programs, including meals, drinking water, protective equipment, healthcare, and convenience stores. These policies ensure a safe, healthy, and stable working environment while enhancing the productivity and long-term engagement of nearly 50,000 employees.
Supporting national human resource development is another core mission of TBS Group. The company has invested in upgrading schools in Di An, Ho Chi Minh City, and collaborates with vocational schools and universities to deliver practical training programs and applied research projects for Vietnam’s leather and fashion industry.
TBS Group has also managed the TBS Group Scholarship Fund for more than 22 years, awarding thousands of scholarships annually. In the 2024-2025 school year, the company provided 9,749 scholarships worth over VND9 billion, supporting ambitious and talented young people and helping to build a strong future Vietnamese workforce.
More than two decades ago, when “sustainable development” was still a new concept in Vietnam, TBS Group recognized its responsibility to people and the community as a key pillar of its long-term strategy. This approach positioned TBS Group as one of the pioneering enterprises working alongside VCCI to build a sustainable Vietnamese business community. Since the launch of the Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI) in 2016, TBS Group has consistently ranked among the Top 10 Sustainable Companies, reinforcing its leadership in promoting human-centered values and community engagement.
“We believe that effective governance, social responsibility, and community partnership not only support TBS Group’s sustainable growth but also elevate the Vietnamese brand on the global stage,” said Chairman Nguyen Duc Thuan, delivering a message of inspiration and reaffirming the resilience of Vietnamese businesses in the era of integration.
By Tran Trang, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
