Making traditional craft villages a sustainable economic pillar, contributing to preserving traditional cultural values.

In the trend of integration, many traditional craft villages are facing the risk of disappearing. Combining craft village preservation with rural tourism development is considered a solution to both protect cultural heritage and exploit economic potential in Phu Tho. This is a suitable direction to preserve the spirit of the craft and promote sustainable development.

According to the report of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Phu Tho province, the whole province has more than 110 craft villages and hundreds of "craft villages" in operation, attracting more than 30,000 households and dozens of cooperatives and enterprises, creating jobs for about 43,000 workers. Craft villages, brocade weaving, forging, pottery... not only contribute to preserving the national cultural identity but also open up new directions in rural economic development associated with tourism.

Tourists experience beeswax painting and cajuput dyeing with Mong artisans in Pa Co commune

For generations, the Mong people in Pa Co commune have been working hard at their looms, preserving the traditional brocade weaving craft. The colorful patterned fabrics are not only used to make everyday clothes but also express the soul and identity of Mong women. As community tourism develops, Mong brocade is no longer limited to daily life.

Since 2015, Pa Co commune has established a brocade weaving village, maintaining hundreds of looms. Women together set up cooperatives and groups, turning brocade into many new products such as handbags, scarves, and decorations. Thanks to this, women in the commune have a stable income, do not have to go far to work, and both maintain their profession and do tourism.

Not only the Mong people in Pa Co, the Dao Tien people in Sung hamlet, Cao Son commune are also actively preserving the brocade weaving and embroidery craft. The skillful hands of the women have created colorful products, which are popular with tourists as souvenirs.

Ms. Trieu Thi Tien, a member of the Dao Tien Brocade Cooperative, shared: "Since joining the cooperative, we can both stay at home and weave, earn extra income, and promote ethnic culture to tourists."

Dao Tien women in Sung hamlet, Cao Son commune preserve traditional brocade weaving

However, many craft villages still face difficulties such as: the number of young workers is decreasing, production is fragmented, equipment is outdated, lack of capital, dependence on traders, while raw material prices are increasing and environmental pollution is increasing. Many young workers move to work in industrial zones, making the inheritance of traditional crafts a challenge. This reality shows that if only relying on traditional consumption habits, craft villages will find it difficult to survive.

Therefore, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Phu Tho province has been creating conditions and encouraging localities with craft villages to continue promoting the application of technology, standardizing production processes, expanding markets through tourism and e-commerce to ensure both preserving the spirit of the craft and standing firm in the market. Contributing to the effort by 2030, Phu Tho province is in the group of rural industries growing 6-7%/year, average labor income increases more than 2.5 times compared to 2020, the rate of trained workers reaches 80% or more, of which at least 35% have a diploma or vocational certificate.

Tourists enjoy experiencing the traditional beeswax painting and cajuput dyeing profession in Pa Co commune

In order for traditional craft villages to become a sustainable economic pillar, contributing to the preservation of traditional cultural values, in the coming time, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment will continue to promote training and retaining the young generation, innovating technology and building strong brands. In many places, the model of "Home-based vocational training classes" has been formed, helping young people to both learn systematically from artisans and earn income right in their hometown.

Along with that, the industrial promotion capital will become a boost for craft villages to replace old machinery, increase productivity, and improve product quality. Products produced will not only stop at the rural market but will be labeled with traceability, participate in the OCOP program, and be present at fairs, supermarkets, and on e-commerce platforms.

A promising direction is to combine craft villages with experiential tourism. Tourists can dye fabrics, make pottery, sew conical hats, and then bring home a handmade gift - a "unique" one that tells their own story. In fact, some craft villages that weave, forge, or craft woodcraft have seen a steady increase in visitors each year, leading to the development of local accommodation and cuisine.

It can be affirmed that the preservation and development of traditional craft villages in Phu Tho not only preserves the long-standing cultural values ​​of our ancestors but also opens up a direction for the development of rural tourism with rich identity. When handicraft products are associated with peaceful village space and cultural stories, they will become unique highlights, attracting domestic and foreign tourists./.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/dua-lang-nghe-truyen-thong-tro-thanh-tru-cot-kinh-te-ben-vung-gop-phan-bao-ton-cac-gia-tri-van-hoa-truyen-thong-20251111160630332.htm