The Clothing Journey · Vietnam 2025
In 2025, the Markin K Kossowski Foundation travelled to Vietnam to source winter clothing and baby essentials for people in need across Alberta.
Support the MissionWhere it began
After speaking with Christian Lam Pham, our team boarded a flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City with a single, practical hope: to find a trusted textile partner who could help us clothe people in need across Alberta before Christmas 2025.
That search led us to Dacotex Group, the start of a partnership built on warmth in every sense of the word. What follows is the story of three days, thousands of kilometres and the countless hands that turned a simple idea into coats, hoodies and baby clothes for the people of Alberta who need them most.
The Journey, Day by Day
From a meeting room in Ho Chi Minh City to the streets of Alberta, every step taken with purpose.
The Journey Begins
Our journey started in the air. We flew from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City to meet the team at Dacotex Group, a respected Vietnamese textile manufacturer. What began as a simple introduction quickly became something more, the beginning of a partnership rooted in a shared belief that good clothing, given with dignity, can change a life.
Day One
An hour's drive from the airport brought us to Dacotex's doors, where we were welcomed by Mrs. Linh, Brian, Christian Lam Pham and Christian's mother, Cecile. From our very first hours together a deep, immediate connection formed between them and our team, a reminder that compassion speaks the same language everywhere.
An Unexpected Gift
In a boardroom lined with racks of sample clothing: winter wear, baby clothes and so much more, we made an unexpected discovery. Many of these samples had gone uncleared for years. What sat quietly in that room was, to us, an extraordinary opportunity: warm, quality clothing that could be sourced and sent directly to the people who needed it most.
Day Two
Over cups of strong Vietnamese coffee, we set to work alongside Mrs. Linh, who has given twenty-two years of her life to Dacotex. Together we moved through roughly fifty long racks of samples in the company's vast showrooms: hoodies, winter vests, ski pants, onesies, children's wear, jackets, fleece and warm coats. Each piece weighed against one quiet question: who could this keep warm?
A Moment We Won't Forget
Somewhere among the racks, it became too much to hold.
Our founder was moved to tears, not from exhaustion, but from joy and gratitude, overwhelmed by the realization of just how many people back home could be wrapped in warmth because of this single, unexpected gift.
Day Three
On our final day, we hosted lunch for the Dacotex staff, a traditional Vietnamese meal shared around a steaming hot pot, a small thank-you for an extraordinary welcome. Then came the careful work: counting and pricing the selected samples, starting a spreadsheet and reviewing materials, sizing and availability to decide exactly which items would be made and shipped to Alberta.
The Full Picture
In total, we spent roughly twenty-four hours with Dacotex Group across their locations in Ho Chi Minh City, Huế and Da Nang. Behind those hours stand hundreds more, close to five hundred combined working hours of planning, sorting, sourcing and coordination, all to bring a single promise to life.
The Journey Home
Now the warmth heads home. The clothing sourced in Vietnam is being prepared to reach homeless individuals, families in need, children, babies and people affected by mental illness across Alberta, arriving exactly where it is needed most, before Christmas 2025.
The Journey in Numbers
From the Trip
A glimpse of the journey, from the Dacotex showroom to the shipping dock. Select any photo to view it larger.
Be Part of the Ripple
This journey was made possible by people who believe warmth should reach everyone. Your gift helps us bring it home to Alberta.
With Heartfelt Thanks
This journey came to life because of the generosity, warmth and trust of the people who welcomed us in Vietnam. We are profoundly grateful to each of them.
Our trusted textile partner, who opened their doors and their hearts.
Who first connected us and made this partnership possible.
Twenty-two years with Dacotex and our guide through every rack.
Christian's mother, who welcomed our team like family.
For their kindness, their care and their tireless work behind the scenes.
Whose warmth and generosity made this entire journey possible.
The Journey Continues With You
Every coat, hoodie, blanket and baby item represents dignity, comfort and hope for someone who needs it.
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