In recent years, the emergence of the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program has become an important leverage, helping craft villages both preserve their traditional heritage and develop in a modern and sustainable direction.
Introducing the silk production process at Van Phuc craft village (Ha Dong ward). Photo: Nguyen Quang
OCOP brings traditional values to a wider audience.
Bat Trang, the cradle of pottery, is a clear example of the transformation brought about by the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program. Previously, Bat Trang pottery primarily served domestic needs. Now, thanks to this program, pottery products have been significantly improved in terms of design, style, and quality, meeting international standards. A series of products such as tea sets, plates, vases, and artistic ceramic paintings from companies, cooperatives, and households in the village have achieved OCOP 4-star and 5-star ratings and are present in demanding markets such as Japan, the United States, and Europe. The combination of modern production lines and traditional craftsmanship has helped the pottery industry increasingly assert its position, contributing to an average income of approximately 87 million VND per person per year for local residents.
According to Do Thanh Thuan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bat Trang commune, after implementing the two-tiered local government model, the commune has three pottery villages: Bat Trang, Giang Cao, and Kim Lan, with approximately over 6,000 households involved in the craft. The commune has 173 artisans in the field of fine art pottery who have been awarded titles by the State. Bat Trang currently has 49 products with valid OCOP certification, many of which have achieved 5-star ratings or have the potential to achieve 5-star ratings.
Not only Bat Trang, but Chuyen My commune is also witnessing a transformation thanks to the OCOP program. The mother-of-pearl inlay craft, renowned for the exquisite craftsmanship of its artisans, is now expanding its market through OCOP products such as inlaid boxes, wall hangings, and souvenirs. Instead of small-scale, fragmented production, businesses have built collections, clearly segmented their customer base, and brought their products to e-commerce platforms. This not only helps increase revenue but also brings the essence of mother-of-pearl inlay closer to modern life.
According to statistics, Hanoi currently has over 1,350 craft villages and villages with traditional crafts, accounting for over 60% of the total number of craft villages nationwide. This is an invaluable resource, creating jobs for hundreds of thousands of rural workers and contributing to changing the face of the new rural areas. Currently, Hanoi has 929 out of 3,463 products (26.8%) from craft villages and villages with traditional crafts that have been rated 3 stars or higher. However, challenges are also significant: products lack diversity, brands are weak, and promotional efforts are not yet truly synchronized.
Supporting traditional crafts and spreading traditional values.
The greatest value that OCOP brings to Hanoi's craft villages lies not only in the economic aspect but also in preserving and spreading traditional culture. If craft villages are repositories of Vietnamese memories and cultural essence, OCOP is the "bridge" that integrates these values into the flow of modern development. Bat Trang pottery, Chuyen My mother-of-pearl inlay, Van Phuc silk, or Phu Vinh rattan and bamboo weaving... each OCOP product tells a unique story about the hands and soul of the craftsman.
The OCOP program has facilitated the expansion of traditional craft village products beyond local markets, enabling them to become branded goods. Thanks to standardized quality, packaging, labels, and geographical indications, these products have found a foothold in supermarkets, shopping malls, and e-commerce platforms. The export of Chuyen My mother-of-pearl inlay paintings, direct contracts with European customers for Phu Vinh rattan and bamboo products, and the popularity of Van Phuc silk as a tourist souvenir all demonstrate the dynamism of the OCOP program. Conversely, craft villages are the foundation behind Hanoi's OCOP development, surpassing many other localities. This is because the products of these villages inherently possess a unique cultural value – the most important criterion of the program. This enduring vitality has provided OCOP with abundant resources to build strong brands.
In 2025, craft villages are still completing their dossiers to submit to higher authorities for evaluation and recognition of their products. Specifically for Bat Trang, Deputy Chairman of the People's Committee Do Thanh Thuan stated that the commune plans to evaluate and classify an additional 16 OCOP products and propose the city's assessment and recognition of 15 artisans. The commune is also continuing to finalize and implement a project to develop craft villages in conjunction with experiential tourism.
It can be affirmed that traditional craft villages and the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program are creating a "double boost": craft villages contribute to enriching the OCOP program with their treasure trove of traditional products, while OCOP revitalizes them by connecting them to modern markets. As Mr. Do Thanh Thuan said: "Craft villages are the roots, OCOP is the outstretched arm. Without craft villages, OCOP would struggle to produce products bearing cultural imprints; but without OCOP, craft villages would struggle to find a way to adapt to the modern market." OCOP has become the wings that help the essence of Hanoi's craft villages soar high and far, transcending village boundaries to reach the world. At the same time, the enduring existence of craft villages forms a solid foundation, creating a unique identity for the Capital's OCOP program. In the future, this synergy will not only preserve the craft but also enrich it, making a worthy contribution to the journey of building a cultured, creative, modern, and integrated Hanoi.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/lang-nghe-va-ocop-cong-huong-de-giu-nghe-lam-giau-tu-nghe-718666.html
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