Reviving the value of traditional crafts along the rivers.

Integrating traditional craft villages into river tourism routes will open up a new approach to cultural and tourism development in the Red River Delta region. This model will not only enrich waterway tourism products but also create sustainable livelihoods for local people, contributing to the preservation of traditional crafts in modern life.

Located right on the banks of the Red River, Bat Trang pottery village (Hanoi) is ideally situated for combining production with experiential tourism , enriching the offerings of river tourism. Photo: Pham Sy.

The flow of culture through the ages.

River tourism is becoming one of the priority development directions for the global tourism industry. Not only does it expand the range of tourism products, but it also attracts investment in infrastructure systems including tourist ports, wharves, and riverside service spaces. The rational exploitation of waterways also helps reduce pressure on road traffic and alleviate overcrowding at destinations, especially in large cities.

In the Red River Delta region, the Red River, Day River, Duong River, and others have long transcended their role as primary transportation routes. They have become vital lifelines, nurturing the lives and cultures of Vietnamese communities. Along the banks of these waterways, people established villages early on, developed traditional crafts, and formed a bustling network of waterborne trade. The concept of "proximity to markets and rivers" not only reflects the choice of residence but also expresses the livelihood mindset, lifestyle, and cultural identity of an entire region.

Along the banks of the Red River and its network of tributaries lies a rich system of historical sites. In addition, many traditional festivals associated with river life are still maintained annually, becoming a highlight attracting tourists. Notably, the Red River Delta has long been considered the "craft village capital" of the country, with a high density of traditional craft villages. Hanoi stands out with Bat Trang pottery, Van Phuc silk, Hang Trong paintings, Xuan La clay figurines, and Yen Thai dó paper; Bac Ninh has Dong Ho paintings and Phu Lang pottery; Ninh Binh is famous for mat weaving and Yen Yen brass instruments; Ninh Van stone carving and Van Lam embroidery… Each craft village possesses its own unique cultural and technical values, creating a distinctive tourism resource.

With these advantages, developing river tourism routes combined with exploring traditional craft villages opens up significant opportunities for the region. Inter-regional waterway itineraries not only increase the length of stay and boost tourist spending but also contribute to enhancing the experience and helping tourism become more closely linked to local cultural life.

Tourists experience making traditional pottery at Bat Trang pottery village (Hanoi). Photo: P. Sy.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong from the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism assessed that, with their historical, cultural, artistic values, landscape, and ecosystem, traditional craft villages in the Red River Delta are one of the valuable resources for developing cultural tourism and river tourism products. Taking advantage of these strengths, an increasing number of craft villages in the Red River Delta have restructured their production activities, shifting from handicraft production to production combined with experiential tourism, creating a rich variety of river tourism products.

According to Ms. Hoang Thu Huyen, M.Sc., from the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, the Red River Delta possesses all the favorable conditions for developing river tourism combined with visiting and experiencing traditional craft villages. If this potential is exploited systematically, it will create unique tourism products for the region and bring economic benefits to local communities, contributing to preserving and spreading the cultural values ​​of traditional craft villages in the context of integration and development. The challenge is how to transform this potential into a driving force for development through appropriate policies and solutions.

Awaken the rivers

Despite its significant advantages, tourism in the craft villages of the Red River Delta has not yet fully exploited its potential. Except for a few bright spots like Bat Trang, most craft villages have not yet built a distinct tourism brand and have not truly attracted visitors. Tourist reception activities remain fragmented, mainly through organized tours or spontaneous initiatives, lacking comprehensive investment.

According to many experts, the tourist experience is quite monotonous, often limited to visiting workshops and purchasing products. Deeper cultural values ​​such as the history of the craft village, festivals, cuisine, or community life have not been adequately exploited, making it difficult to retain tourists. In many places, the government and people still consider tourism a secondary activity, closely linked to production, rather than recognizing it as an economic sector requiring a long-term development strategy.

From a local perspective, Mr. Nguyen Van Dap, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province, stated that in reality, the exploitation of the value of traditional craft villages to develop tourism products along the river is still modest and not commensurate with its potential. Tourism activities in craft villages are still spontaneous and fragmented… Most craft villages still focus on the production of traditional goods, without paying attention to experiential, creative, and educational elements – the core elements of modern tourism.

Despite its great potential for developing the tourism industry, the Red River tourism sector has not yet truly flourished. Photo: P. Sy.

To effectively exploit and find the right direction to transform traditional craft villages along the Red River into attractive and sustainable tourist destinations, according to Dr. Vu Anh Tu from the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism, a synchronized coordination between the State's macro policies, investment from businesses, and the proactive participation of the community is needed. By focusing on diversifying tourism products, building brands, applying technology, and developing responsible tourism, we can create a unique, attractive, and sustainable Red River tourism brand. This will not only bring economic benefits but also contribute to preserving Vietnamese cultural identity, ensuring that these ancient craft villages remain the soul of the Red River and a source of national pride.

Sharing the same viewpoint, Ms. Hoang Thu Huyen believes that to maximize the value of traditional craft villages in developing river tourism in the Red River Delta, a comprehensive strategy is needed, encompassing planning, infrastructure, products, and human resources. Local authorities must integrate tourism objectives into craft village planning and invest in improving wharves, docks, and transportation facilities along the Red River. Simultaneously, diversifying products, enhancing authentic experiences for tourists, and promoting regional linkages and public-private partnerships will make river tourism more attractive and sustainable. During development, cultural preservation and environmental protection must be prioritized to safeguard traditional values. Finally, a joint promotional campaign is needed to build a brand for Red River and craft village tourism, creating a distinct mark in the market.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Lan Oanh.

Associate Professor Pham Lan Oanh - Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism: A comprehensive and interconnected strategy is needed: In the modern context, especially with the trend of developing experiential tourism, local tourism, and creative tourism, riverside craft villages are facing an opportunity for transformation: from single-function production spaces to multi-valued cultural tourism destinations. However, this process is also facing many challenges: lack of integrated planning, the risk of traditional crafts disappearing, imbalances between protection and exploitation, limitations in tourism infrastructure and human resources, as well as gaps in inter-sectoral policies. Therefore, developing riverside craft village tourism cannot be a single or short-term effort, but needs to be viewed as a comprehensive strategy, a multi-dimensional linkage between heritage - livelihoods - tourism - education - creativity, placing local people and culture at the center. The paper proposes an integrated approach, in which tourism acts as a driving force to activate heritage, while traditional craft villages serve as a foundation for preserving memories and regenerating the internal strength for community development.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/danh-thuc-gia-tri-lang-nghe-tren-nhung-dong-song-20251210140125275.htm