Reviving the vitality of rural craft villages.

Can Tho is implementing a plan to develop traditional crafts and rural industries for the period 2026-2030, aiming to preserve traditional values, create jobs, and promote community tourism.

Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường•29/05/2026

Making handicrafts a sustainable livelihood in rural areas.

In implementation of Resolution No. 257/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly and many decisions and strategies of the Government on the development of rural industries, People's Committee of Can Tho City Vietnam has just issued a plan for the development of rural crafts and industries for the period 2026-2030. The plan is expected to create new momentum for rural areas, contributing to the preservation of traditional values, promoting the green economy , community tourism, and improving the lives of the people.

Anh Nguyễn Thanh Tiềm (bên trái), Giám đốc HTX Dịch vụ - Nông nghiệp Thanh Triều, giới thiệu các sản phẩm thủ công mỹ nghệ từ nguyên liệu tự nhiên của địa phương. Ảnh: Lê Hoàng Vũ.

According to the city's guidelines, preserving and developing traditional craft villages is not only of economic significance but also an important solution for maintaining local cultural identity. These villages will be developed in a way that connects them with the market, applies digital technology, strengthens production linkages, protects the environment, and adapts to climate change.

Can Tho aims to effectively preserve and develop existing recognized craft villages by 2030, recognize at least two new craft villages linked to rural tourism; have over 50% of craft villages operating effectively; have 30% of craft villages with e-commerce stalls; and have at least 10% of craft villages operating efficiently. craft villages There are OCOP products. At the same time, the majority of workers in the craft villages will receive vocational training, access to information technology, and improve their production skills.

Making handicrafts a sustainable livelihood in rural areas.

In fact, many rural industry models in Can Tho have shown clear effectiveness in creating jobs, increasing income, and expanding product markets.

According to the 2026 plan, the Can Tho City Rural Development and Forestry Department will survey traditional craft villages and trades in the area, such as Cau Duc pineapple cultivation, betel nut farming, basket weaving, handicrafts, and OCOP products, in order to develop appropriate support solutions.

A prime example is the Thanh Trieu Agricultural Trade and Service Cooperative in Hamlet 4, Vinh Thuan Dong Commune, which was established in October 2025.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tiem, Director of Thanh Trieu Agricultural Trade and Service Cooperative, said that the unit currently produces more than 10 types of handicraft products from materials such as paper rope, rattan rope, jute rope, and water hyacinth. The main products include chairs, pedestals, mirror frames, boxes, baskets, and decorative shelves. Each month, cooperative We supply approximately 7,000-8,000 products to the market.

Không gian trưng bày các sản phẩm đan đát, thủ công mỹ nghệ đa dạng về mẫu mã, hướng tới phục vụ thị trường trong nước, xuất khẩu và phát triển du lịch tại HTX mây tre đan Thủy Tiết (xã Thuận Hòa, TP Cần Thơ). Ảnh: Lê Hoàng Vũ.

In addition to the domestic market, the cooperative's products are also exported to the US and Japan through processing agreements with partner businesses. Through this, the cooperative is creating jobs for approximately 40 rural workers, many of whom receive raw materials to process at home, helping them earn a stable income of 3-8 million VND per month.

According to Mr. Tiem, the production model handicrafts The cooperative has contributed to utilizing readily available local resources, creating jobs for women and unemployed rural workers. However, the cooperative still faces some difficulties in transportation and product distribution.

“Water hyacinth fibers are bulky, resulting in high transportation costs. The cooperative urgently needs support with compression machines to reduce the volume of goods and optimize logistics costs. In addition, we also hope to connect with more businesses to expand the market for our products,” Mr. Tiem shared.

In reality, developing rural industries not only helps shift the labor structure but also creates economic models suitable to local conditions. With proper investment, handicrafts can become a sustainable livelihood for people in rural areas.

Ông Nguyễn Văn Đời, Giám đốc HTX Trầu Vàng, chăm sóc vườn trầu xanh tại xã Vĩnh Thuận Đông - vùng chuyên canh trầu có truyền thống hơn 60 năm. Ảnh: Lê Hoàng Vũ.

Preserving traditional craft villages in conjunction with community tourism.

Besides handicraft models, many traditional craft villages In Can Tho, there is also a focus on conservation and development in a way that combines tourism with experiential activities.

Among them, the betel village in Vinh Thuan Dong commune is one of the distinctive highlights. Despite undergoing many changes in administrative boundaries, the name "betel village" has remained. Vinh Thuan Dong It is still preserved by the local people as a source of pride for the largest betel-growing region in the Mekong Delta. The betel cultivation profession here has existed for over 60 years, closely linked to wedding customs, festivals, and the cultural life of the people of Southern Vietnam.

Thanks to favorable natural conditions, especially the freshwater source from the Hau River, betel leaves from Vi Thuy have a distinctive yellowish-green color, a pungent and spicy flavor, and are favored by the market. In addition to consumption in provinces and cities nationwide, betel leaves are also exported to Cambodia and Taiwan (China).

Currently, many households in the village maintain from several hundred to thousands of betel plants. There are three harvests per month, providing a considerable income for the people. According to calculations, one hectare of betel plants can yield an income of over 100 million VND per year, far exceeding many other traditional crops.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Doi, Director of the Golden Betel Cooperative, in 2019, betel cultivation in Hamlet 5, Vi Thuy Commune, Hau Giang Province (formerly), now Hamlet 5B, Vinh Thuan Dong Commune, Can Tho City, was recognized as a traditional occupation. Following this, the local people joined together to establish the Golden Betel Cooperative with nearly 30 members cultivating an area of nearly 20 hectares.

“Currently, the cooperative supplies about 90,000 betel leaf packets to the market each month. During Tet (Lunar New Year), demand increases many times, and the selling price is also higher than usual. Besides serving weddings and festivals, betel leaves are also being researched for processing into essential oils, soap, and health care products,” Mr. Doi said.

Ông Lâm Văn Út, Phó Chi cục trưởng Chi cục Phát triển nông thôn và Kiểm lâm TP Cần Thơ khảo sát mô hình trồng trầu tại xã Vĩnh Thuận Đông, định hướng phát triển làng nghề truyền thống gắn với du lịch cộng đồng, trải nghiệm. Ảnh: Lê Hoàng Vũ.

Along with agricultural production, the locality is also aiming to develop the betel village into a community tourism destination. According to Mr. Pham Van Bang, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Vinh Thuan Dong commune, the commune has developed a plan to develop the betel village in conjunction with experiential tourism. Currently, the entire commune has over 200 households growing green betel on 32 hectares.

Visitors can tour the betel gardens, experience picking leaves, preparing betel quid, learn about the legend of betel and areca, and enjoy products made from betel. This model not only increases economic value but also contributes to preserving folk culture and creating more jobs for local people.

According to Mr. Lam Van Ut, Deputy Head of the Rural Development and Forestry Department of Can Tho City, developing rural industries is an important solution to exploit the potential of rural areas, enhance the value of traditional craft products, create livelihoods, and improve the lives of the people.

“The development of traditional craft villages needs to be linked with ecological agriculture, modern rural areas, environmental protection, and adaptation to climate change. At the same time, promoting craft village tourism as a distinctive rural product will contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of the locality,” emphasized Mr. Lam Van Ut, Deputy Head of the Rural Development and Forestry Department of Can Tho City.

Source: https://mae.gov.vn/tin-dia-phuong/khoi-day-suc-song-moi-cho-lang-nghe-nong-thon-21950.htm