Traditional craft villages attract tourists.

Currently, traditional craft villages in the province not only create jobs and improve the lives of local people but also become attractive destinations, drawing tourists from both within and outside the country.

Early in the morning, the Cham ethnic minority's brocade weaving village in Chau Phong commune echoes with the rhythmic clacking of looms. Tourists attentively observe each stage of weaving, from threading the yarn and strung the loom to creating patterns… Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Trang, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, shared that she really likes traditional brocade products and buys them for personal use and as gifts for relatives and friends. However, she had never had the opportunity to see the production process firsthand. “I knew there was a brocade weaving village in Chau Phong, so I arranged time to visit. I was even guided through the brocade weaving process and made a handkerchief. Although it wasn't very beautiful, I really enjoyed it,” Ms. Trang said.

Tourists visit and purchase brocade products at the Cham village in Chau Phong commune. Photo: THUY TIEN

Ms. Saymah, owner of the Mohamad weaving facility and a long-standing traditional brocade weaver in the Cham village of Chau Phong commune, said that she not only weaves brocade but also acts as a "tour guide" for her own craft village. "Previously, the brocade weaving village mainly sold its products domestically, resulting in unstable income and many people abandoning the craft. But since tourists started visiting, people's incomes have become more stable. People see that the traditional craft of the Cham people has been enhanced in value," Ms. Saymah shared.

According to Saymah, this craft has been maintained by her family from her grandfather's generation to the present day. Despite ups and downs, with a love for the craft and a passion for preserving tradition, her family continues to diligently create various products such as handbags, hats, scarves, and traditional clothing. Furthermore, Saymah's family utilizes this craft to serve both domestic and international tourists who come to visit and shop.

Beyond just demonstrating the craft, Saymah also guides visitors in weaving basic silk threads, lets them try on traditional clothing, and teaches them about the meaning of each pattern. This experience allows visitors to not only "see" but also "feel" the local culture.

On Phu Quoc Island, more than 100 traditional fish sauce producers are not only proud of their traditional fish sauce products, but the traditional Phu Quoc fish sauce making craft is also honored to be recognized by the State as a national intangible cultural heritage. Ms. Ho Kim Lien, owner of Khai Hoan fish sauce business, said that the people of Phu Quoc who make traditional fish sauce always preserve and continue their family's traditional craft. They maintain the craft to ensure quality products and combine it with tourism development by allowing tourists to visit and observe the unique fish sauce production process of the island's inhabitants…

According to many tourists, after visiting the traditional fish sauce production process in Phu Quoc, they enthusiastically shared images of the fish sauce making profession on social media, introducing friends and relatives to visit and shop. “What impressed me wasn't just the fish sauce product, but also the people here. They are friendly, sincere, and very proud of their profession,” shared Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, a tourist from Hanoi .

Promoting the value of traditional craft villages for tourism development opens up new economic avenues and contributes to cultural preservation. However, bringing these villages closer to tourists still faces many difficulties, especially regarding transportation infrastructure. Many craft villages are located deep within narrow rural roads, making them difficult to access. Accompanying services such as food and accommodation are limited and do not meet the increasingly high demands of tourists... “Not all craftspeople are ready to ‘open their doors’ to tourists. Partly because they are afraid of change, and partly because they lack communication and service organization skills. Furthermore, if tourism development is not well managed, it can distort traditional craft villages, cater to popular tastes, and lead to the loss of their unique identity,” said Ms. Phan Yen Ly, Director of Canh Cam Consulting, Communication and Event Company Limited, Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Ms. Ly, for craft villages to truly become attractive destinations, the State first needs to plan and select typical craft villages with the potential for tourism development for targeted investment. Simultaneously, focus should be placed on training local people in skills ranging from communication to creating experiential products. The participation of travel businesses also plays a crucial role, because when craft villages are included in tours and routes, connecting with other destinations, their attractiveness will increase significantly. Furthermore, leveraging digital platforms for promotion is an inevitable trend. Authentic images and everyday stories are the most effective ways to promote products and connect with tourists.

THUY TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/lang-nghe-truyen-thong-hap-dan-du-khach-a483224.html