Exploring Sustainability in Vietnam 

In this article, Sophie Valleteau, a member of our Sustainability Management Services (SMS) team, describes her first origins trip to Vietnam. A recent graduate from the University of Waterloo, Sophie is now our Sustainability Data Lead for Asia-Pacific. 

Working in coffee for the first time and usually sitting in front of her computer at the Singapore office, Sophie explained how "actually going out into the field and seeing the coffee trees brought all the data to life”. When asked about what struck her the most, Sophie described how “while meeting the producers, I realized how important coffee is to their livelihoods. It was touching to see how much care they put into maintaining the health of their soil and crops.” 

Sophie was one of 30 participants on the trip, alongside SMS Managers from across Asia as well as representatives from JDE Peet’s, Rainforest Alliance, Sky Vision, and CIRAD.  

“I didn’t expect so many people to be on the trip at first! It was great seeing all the relationships ECOM has with other organizations,” Sophie shared. “A highlight was meeting all the sustainability teams from Asia and learning about the number of projects ECOM is a part of across Asia. These are projects that improve both the environment and the lives of producers.” 

After spending a few days visiting the ACOM office in the bustling heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Sophie travelled out to the coffee farms of Bao Loc and Da Lat, where she visited our Farmer Training Centre and saw new coffee seedling hybrids are growing in nurseries.  

The seedlings are propagated using a variety of techniques, including cutting, micro-cutting, and grafting. “The micro-cutting was so much fun; it’s like making a little baby!” Sophie described participating in propagation activities, "You see these huge global issues surrounding the environment and climate change, and it can feel overwhelming. But then you come here and start from the basics: making a new plant. You realize that tackling big issues starts with small steps.” 

Sophie also visited the dry mill in Bao Loc where coffee is packaged and shipped: “Standing in front of this massive warehouse, you realize the extent of our operations and the volumes of coffee going out of the country from these smallhold farms across Vietnam!” While at the mill, she participated in a cupping session. Her favorite cup? “The Starmaya from Bao Loc!”  

As part of SMS, Sophie supports the team in creating innovative, socially and environmentally responsible solutions for farmers. Reflecting on her experience, she said: “In some organizations, sustainability is often seen as an add-on. At ECOM, sustainability is not just about ROIs or the bottom line, but about the bigger value it brings to the company. On the ground, the sustainable practices we implement visibly improve farmers’ lives, soil health, kids’ education, and so much more. It pays off in the long term.”