New space for traditional craft villages.

Tan Cuong tea village, Thai Nguyen province.

Breaking away from traditional foundations.

Following the administrative reorganization, Thai Nguyen has become a large-scale locality, possessing many advantages in rural culture and economy . The province currently has 278 recognized craft villages, including 184 traditional craft villages (accounting for 66.2%) and 94 new craft villages (33.8%), an increase of 25 villages compared to 2020.

Notably, among these, there are 256 tea-making villages, such as Tuc Tranh, Trai Cai, La Bang, Tan Cuong, etc., which have contributed to affirming and spreading the famous "Thai Tea" brand throughout the country.

Besides that, Thai Nguyen also develops many other types of craft villages such as rattan and bamboo weaving, woodworking, handicrafts, and ornamental plants. The northern part of the province currently has only one traditional craft village: Con Minh vermicelli.

The Con Minh vermicelli-making village (Thai Nguyen province) is famous for its hand-cut vermicelli.

Developing craft villages and traditional craft villages not only has economic significance but is also an important solution for preserving cultural identity, while creating momentum for innovation and enhancing the vitality of rural areas.

Mr. Duong Van Hoan, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said: "The recognition of craft villages is both an honor for traditional cultural values and a foundation for rural economic development. The province aims to support craft villages in a sustainable way, focusing on human resource training, improving designs, promoting trade, and linking with tourism , thereby enhancing competitiveness, expanding the domestic market, and gradually asserting its position in the international market."

Many traditional craft villages in Thai Nguyen have received investment support for equipment, gradually overcoming the limitations of small-scale production. During the 2021-2025 period, the province allocated over 9 billion VND for equipment investment, including 21 tea roasting machines, 100 tea rolling machines, 7 automatic packaging machines, 3 vacuum sealing machines, and 6 cold storage facilities.

Simultaneously, 35 training courses were organized for approximately 1,500 participants, with priority given to rural workers and ethnic minorities.

Ms. Hoang Thi Dong, from Ban Cuon village, Con Minh commune, said: The Con Minh vermicelli-making village currently has 49 households with more than 70 regular workers. In recent times, the government and the Department of Industry and Trade have supported training, brand building, trade promotion, environmental protection, and linking production with sustainable development.

The figures above show that Thai Nguyen has both affirmed its position as the largest tea production center in the country and opened up room for the development of many other unique products.

Gia Trung wood processing village, Van Xuan ward.

Elevating the quality of traditional craft products.

A highlight in the development of craft villages in Thai Nguyen is the proactive expansion of product markets. In 2025, the province will organize the Thai Nguyen Industry and Trade - OCOP Exhibition at Vo Nguyen Giap Square with 200 booths; at the same time, it will promote digital commerce channels through programs such as the Livestream "Thai Nguyen OCOP Market" on TikTok Shop or the Megalive event "Proud of Vietnamese Goods - Thai Nguyen's Best Tea".

In addition, agricultural products and handicrafts from Thai Nguyen are promoted at many major domestic and international fairs and exhibitions such as: the Vietnam Agricultural Products Festival, the AGROVIET International Fair, the Vietnam-China Trade and Tourism Fair, the Hoa Binh Highland Market, the Mekong Delta Fair, the 80th National Day Exhibition at the National Exhibition Center (Hanoi)... These activities contribute to enhancing the position of Thai Nguyen's handicraft products and expanding their value chain in the market.

The tea-making village has contributed to building the famous

Tea-producing villages have contributed to building the famous "Thai Tea" brand, while also attracting a large number of tourists to visit and experience it.

Along with commercial development, Thai Nguyen focuses on exploiting community-based tourism associated with traditional craft villages. Tours offering experiences such as tea picking, tea processing, and tea tasting with local people not only create new revenue streams but also contribute to promoting the cultural image and people of Thai Nguyen.

Tea artisan To Van Khiem, Director of Khe Coc Tea Cooperative in Vo Tranh commune, shared: "Preserving the craft is both a means of livelihood and a way to preserve the soul of our homeland. With support in machinery and trade promotion, Khe Coc tea products now have traceability labels, improved packaging, and meet OCOP 3-4 star standards. Most importantly, the traditional flavor is still preserved, creating a wider reach for the Thai Nguyen tea brand."

According to the plan, Thai Nguyen will develop 8 more craft villages in 2025 (5 in the former Thai Nguyen area and 3 in the former Bac Kan area). However, to date, no new craft villages have been officially recognized. The main reasons are a lack of investment resources for infrastructure, workshops, and equipment; obstacles in regulations for recognizing artisans and skilled craftsmen; and many localities are still struggling to complete the necessary documentation.

In addition, some recognized craft villages are also facing difficulties in maintaining operations and expanding production scale.

Visitors at Hao Dat Tea Cooperative.

Ms. Duong Thi Lan, from Gia Trung woodcraft village, Van Xuan ward, said: "The craft village was recognized in 2008 and once had more than 70 households participating, creating stable jobs for many workers with incomes of 6-8 million VND per month. Currently, only about 10 households remain due to restrictions on imports from the Chinese market, causing many difficulties for the craft village."

To develop craft villages sustainably, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will implement a comprehensive set of solutions in the coming period, including: providing credit support and modern equipment; improving the mechanism for recognizing artisans and skilled craftsmen; linking craft village development with the OCOP program and community tourism; and promoting trade and expanding consumer markets. These solutions aim to create momentum for stable and long-term rural economic development.

It can be affirmed that traditional craft villages are an integral part of Thai Nguyen's soul. They are not simply places that produce goods, but also spaces that preserve customs, lifestyles, and community culture across generations. The impetus from these craft villages is becoming a crucial driving force for socio-economic development, helping Thai Nguyen both assert its position as the "tea capital" and become known as a region that preserves and spreads sustainable traditional values.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202509/khong-gian-moi-cho-lang-nghe-52a6703/