A seamless "bridge" between craft villages and state management agencies.

Outstanding achievements

At the 5th National Congress of the Vietnam Handicraft Village Association, for the term 2024-2029, held on the afternoon of August 16th, Mr. Trinh Quoc Dat – Vice President of the Vietnam Handicraft Village Association – reported on the achievements of the 4th term (2018-2023) and the direction of work for the 5th term (2024-2029) of the Association.

Accordingly, during its fourth term, the Vietnam Handicraft Village Association performed well in many aspects, particularly in implementing the six programs outlined: revitalizing and developing handicraft villages; promoting handicraft village culture and tourism ; and promoting trade, information, and foreign relations.

The Association's action programs and activities are all linked to state programs such as: the "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods" campaign; the "One commune, one product" program and the "National target program for building new rural areas"...

Mr. Trinh Quoc Dat, Vice President of the Vietnam Handicraft Village Association, reports at the Congress. Photo: Thanh Tuan

Implementing and promoting the Resolution of the 4th Congress of the Vietnam Handicraft Village Association, which serves as the guiding principle for the 5th Congress: "Connecting handicraft village communities – Preserving Culture – Developing Tourism – Innovation – International Integration".

One of the Association's important tasks in the past term was social critique. The Association valued contributing opinions to Party, National Assembly , and State agencies on the preservation and development of traditional craft villages, such as contributing to the drafting of the Law on the Vietnam Fatherland Front; the Law on Preservation and Development of Traditional Craft Villages; the Law on Environmental Protection; the Law on Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises; the draft amendment to Government Decree 66/2006/ND-CP on the development of rural industries; the Decree amending and supplementing regulations on awarding the title of National Artisan; and the National Environmental Status Report.

Trade promotion activities are also carried out by the Association in coordination with units under ministries, departments, and agencies at the central and local levels: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Nam, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong… to organize many events such as: trade fairs, exhibitions, product displays, cultural and tourism festivals, thematic seminars, customer conferences, and connecting supply and demand between craft villages and handicraft production facilities. All events have been successfully organized and achieved effective results, thereby building trust among members and partners.

Other activities such as science and technology and training; foreign relations; and communication work… were also coordinated and implemented effectively by the Association.

The Vice President of the Vietnam Handicraft Village Association also emphasized that the Association has acted in accordance with the principles and objectives of its Charter, uniting handicraft villages, economic and cultural organizations, artisans in handicraft villages and streets, managers, scientists, cultural figures, research and training institutions to work with state management agencies to restore and develop handicraft villages…

Through its vibrant and extensive activities, the prestige and influence of the Vietnam Handicraft Village Association have been enhanced; it is respected and recognized by state management agencies, the press, and the media; highly appreciated by many socio-professional organizations; and trusted and relied upon by production and business establishments, artisans, skilled craftsmen, and artisans in handicraft villages, who consider it the common home of the nationwide handicraft village community…

Many major tasks in the new term.

Mr. Trinh Quoc Dat also emphasized that the 5th National Congress of Delegates (Congress V) took place in the context of the country entering a new period of development, restructuring the economy, and transforming the growth model. The craft village community also entered a new era to adapt to the country's development, focusing on improving quality, increasing competitiveness, affirming and enhancing the cultural and tourism value of traditional handicraft products, and meeting the higher demands of the domestic and export markets.

Delegates attending the 5th National Congress of the Vietnam Handicraft Village Association, term 2024-2029. Photo: Thanh Tuan

However, it must be acknowledged that the domestic economic situation still faces many difficulties and complex issues. Therefore, the 5th Congress is of great importance in order to ensure the sustainable development of the Association in the new context, meeting the aspirations and trust of its members and the craft village community nationwide in the current situation.

During its new term, the Association will focus on implementing key activities. These include the implementation of the Action Program for the implementation of Decision 801/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister "Approving the Program for the Preservation and Development of Vietnamese Traditional Craft Villages giai đoạn 2021 – 2030" and the Strategy for the Preservation and Development of Traditional Craft Villages. Specifically, this involves developing a comprehensive plan for traditional craft villages nationwide; establishing stable raw material areas for traditional craft villages; developing human resources for traditional craft villages; developing traditional craft villages in conjunction with environmental protection; and strengthening foreign relations and international cooperation to bring Vietnamese culture and craft village products to the international stage. Emphasis will be placed on strengthening cooperation with traditional relationships and opening up new international relationships…

Continue implementing the Resolution of the 4th Congress of the Vietnam Handicraft Village Association: “Connecting Handicraft Village Communities – Preserving Culture – Developing Tourism – Innovation – International Integration”. Strengthen activities to connect the Association with its members.

To effectively implement the above tasks through the process of organizing the 4th National Congress of Delegates, consolidating the Association's organization, and enhancing the leadership capacity of the Central Association of Vietnamese Craft Villages.

The association is building tripartite cooperation models: the Central Association – local government – ​​craft villages, with the Central Association as the core, the local government as the support, and the craft villages benefiting from the results to promote their development.

Continue implementing the six planned programs, improving their quality and effectiveness. Promote the establishment of local craft village associations and organizations, and develop representative offices to truly serve as "extended arms" of the Association in various regions, thereby promoting membership growth and spreading the Association's prestige and influence. Strengthen linkages with research and training institutions to introduce new science, technology, design, and safe production methods into craft villages, resulting in products that are aesthetically pleasing, safe, culturally rich, and meet international standards.

The Vice President of the Vietnam Handicraft Village Association also proposed that the State consider and provide feedback to management agencies on the drafting and promulgation of a "Law on the Preservation and Development of Handicraft Villages"; and allow February 20, 1959, the day President Ho Chi Minh visited the traditional Bat Trang pottery village in Gia Lam district, Hanoi, to be designated as "Vietnam Handicraft Village Day".

State management agencies have provided guidance to address difficulties faced by craft villages: solutions for environmental management, production space, and finding markets for craft products; specific plans and programs to promote the role and contributions of generations of artisans, especially People's Artisans and State-level Outstanding Artisans after they have been awarded the title; and policies to support the continued development of craft villages in terms of capital, land, and information.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/hiep-hoi-lang-nghe-viet-nam-cau-noi-thong-suot-giua-lang-nghe-va-co-quan-quan-ly-nha-nuoc-339423.html