Exploiting potential and developing craft village products

Over the years, the province has implemented many solutions to support production and expand markets, helping craft villages gradually affirm their position, promote traditional values ​​and ensure sustainable livelihoods for the community.

In the context of increasingly fierce market competition, craft villages not only have to calculate to preserve cultural values ​​but also have to find solutions for stable output so that people can make a living from their profession.

Over the years, the province has implemented many solutions to support production and expand markets, helping craft villages gradually affirm their position, promote traditional values ​​and ensure sustainable livelihoods for the community.

My Long rice paper making craft - Luong Phu commune (former My Thanh commune) is a traditional craft village recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage at the end of 2018. Photo: TRUNG HIEU

Strength of local resources

To both preserve the traditional craft and increase economic value, many people have proactively innovated, from production techniques, improved designs to market approaches. Established over a hundred years ago, My Long rice paper craft village has been the main livelihood of many generations and currently has more than 100 households. Most households still stick to manual techniques, only improving the oven and packaging tools to increase productivity and reduce dependence on the weather.

Mr. Tran Thien That - representative of Thien That Rice Paper Factory (Phu Khuong Ward) said that in order for rice paper to go far, it is important to standardize the product, aiming to achieve OCOP certification and be more suitable to modern consumer needs. Accordingly, the young generation in the craft village is looking for ways to innovate, gradually perfecting the product. A typical example is the pre-packaged grilled rice paper line that can be preserved for a long time, limits damage during transportation, and is conveniently packaged, and can be sold in tourist areas, rest stops and many other retail channels.

Ham Giang craft village (Ham Giang commune) has existed for hundreds of years, turning simple bamboo trees into beds, ladders, cots, tables, chairs, cabinets... Initially, only a few households did it, then those who knew the craft taught those who did not know, and over time, a traditional craft village was formed as it is today. To survive and develop, the artisans of the craft village have made many improvements in designs and diversified products according to market demand.

Mr. Tri Canh - owner of Tri Canh Production Facility shared: In the past, his family had a traditional profession, passed down from father to son. The facility and its workers always researched, innovated, improved products, diversified and enriched the designs and types of products made from bamboo. Currently, Tri Canh facility has more than 20 designs and types of products made from bamboo, many high-end products serving the needs of households, eco-tourism areas, restaurants, etc. In which, bamboo salon products have met 4-star OCOP standards. Craftsmen of the craft village also seriously invested in diversifying the designs and quality of products. Thanks to that, bamboo products are increasingly favored by partners, expanding the export market.

The craft of weaving baskets and bags from water hyacinth has existed for decades in Ngai Tu commune. Through skillful hands, water hyacinth fibers growing along river banks and canals have become household and handicraft products favored by domestic and foreign markets.

Of which, Quyet Thang Handicraft Cooperative currently creates jobs for more than 560 workers, mainly women, with an income of 2-2.5 million VND/month. In 2024, the Cooperative will achieve a revenue of nearly 4.9 billion VND, with a profit after tax of more than 229 million VND.

Diversified distribution channels

In the context of rapidly changing consumer trends, craft villages still face many challenges: difficulties in capital, lack of committed young workers, unstable consumer markets; mainly small-scale production of handicraft products, limited designs... Mr. Le Hoang An - Chairman of the People's Committee of Ngai Tu commune said that the locality currently has 10 craft villages, creating jobs for more than 3,000 workers with an average income of 3-3.5 million VND/person/month. However, some craft villages also face many difficulties in production activities.

For traditional crafts to develop sustainably, craftspeople must proactively innovate designs, improve techniques and enhance market approaches.

“In the coming time, the locality will continue to improve the quality of collective economic activities, especially cooperatives and cooperative groups; proactively build stable raw material areas, and at the same time seek outlets for craft village products. The goal is to both increase income for workers and preserve traditional values ​​so that the craft can exist sustainably,” said Mr. Le Hoang An.

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, in recent years, the province has implemented many programs to support the development of traditional occupations, from investing in modern equipment and machinery to trade promotion, product promotion, training to improve management capacity, etc. Industries such as coconut processing, fruit production, ornamental flowers or handicraft products imbued with national cultural identity are also supported with investment in machinery, design, packaging and brand promotion, thereby increasing value and expanding the consumer market.

Accordingly, the Center for Industrial Promotion and Trade Promotion (Department of Industry and Trade) has implemented many activities to directly support craft villages. Organizing training courses on sales skills on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, helping workers in craft villages reach customers faster, reduce advertising costs and expand the consumer market.

Along with that is support for packaging and label design; consulting on trademark protection procedures and building a brand identity system, helping craft village products to improve their competitiveness and easily participate in modern distribution channels.

In the third quarter of 2025 alone, the center surveyed 30 craft villages to build a database and develop a policy propaganda handbook, while continuing to promote trade through e-commerce training, preparing fair booths and connecting agricultural supply chains...

Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade said: In the coming time, the industry and trade sector will continue to innovate the method of supporting production and business enterprises in the province, exploiting the potential of each locality to create unique features and enhance competitiveness. Support work will be oriented more synchronously, not only focusing on machinery and equipment but also on improving designs, building brands, and developing diverse distribution channels. The industry and trade sector will coordinate with localities to remove difficulties for enterprises in terms of raw materials, promote the consumption of typical products, suitable for market demand.

Up to now, the whole province has 89 traditional occupations, craft villages, traditional craft villages recognized by the Provincial People's Committee, with 13,954 households and 41,840 workers participating. Of which, there are 38 traditional occupations, 47 craft villages and 4 traditional craft villages.

Article and photos: SONG THAO

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/202511/khai-thac-tiem-nang-phat-trien-san-pham-lang-nghe-b9407fe/