Promoting traditional crafts, creating livelihoods to escape poverty in Bao Ha

In an effort to create sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty, Bao Ha commune is promoting traditional occupations, encouraging people to link production, and reorganizing labor models in a stable and effective manner. From the familiar weaving and making votive paper, many households have a significant additional source of income, gradually improving their lives.

Enthusiastic working atmosphere at Bao Ha General Production and Service Cooperative.

Previously, the weaving and making of votive paper in Bao Ha existed as a small-scale craft in each household. People often took advantage of the off-season to do it, resulting in low productivity, unstable output, and difficulty in creating a long-term source of livelihood.

Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, Bun 2 village, recalls: “Farming is sometimes profitable and sometimes not, raising livestock is prone to diseases. Weaving is only making a few products, and we have to figure out where to sell them ourselves.”

Everything changed when she joined Bao Ha General Production and Service Cooperative. Thanks to the product consumption, Ms. Thuy has an income of about 10 million VND/month, much more stable than before.

“There is no longer any worry about where to sell our products. We are very excited to have a model that brings together households to do the job, helping everyone have steady jobs and more stable income,” said Ms. Thuy.

The weaver is meticulous in every step.

Not only women, many older workers also find suitable livelihoods from traditional occupations. Mr. Trinh Van Chien, who used to work in construction, now switches to splitting bamboo to supply the Cooperative with a steady job that is suitable for his health.

"Compared to construction, this job has a much more stable income, especially motivating people to stick with and promote the traditional craft of weaving and making votive paper," said Mr. Chien.

The increasing participation of people helps traditional crafts in Bao Ha have the opportunity to revive, from a fragmented model to more concentrated and professional production.

Many older workers also find suitable livelihoods.

Bao Ha General Production and Service Cooperative was established in August 2025, with the goal of developing small-scale handicrafts and reorganizing production in a more systematic direction.

Ms. Pham Thi Mo - Director of Bao Ha Production and General Service Cooperative said: Previously, the fragmented household economy made production unstable and it was difficult to find a market. When united, people have a common legal status, making it easier to sign contracts and access support programs from the State.

We can issue electronic invoices and manage orders more transparently. Once we have a clear brand, selling via Facebook and Zalo also helps expand output.

Ms. Pham Thi Mo - Director of Bao Ha General Production and Service Cooperative.

Although newly established, Bao Ha Production and General Service Cooperative has more than 50 employees, of which about one-third work directly at the facility, the rest produce at home. The average income of workers is 8-10 million VND/month. Women account for a large proportion because the job requires meticulousness and dexterity.

According to Ms. Mo, the most gratifying thing is that local people no longer have to travel far to work. “They take advantage of their free time to weave products. They work and take care of their families while still earning a decent income,” she said.

In the coming time, the Cooperative hopes to build a wider reputation, gradually bring products to other provinces to expand the market and increase people's income.

Ms. Pham Thi Mo guides people in creating products.

Bao Ha commune has potential for spiritual tourism with Bao Ha temple and Co Tan An temple, destinations that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong - Vice Chairman of Bao Ha commune People's Committee, commented: "Based on that advantage, the Cooperative has formed and created a stable production and consumption chain. Each person can earn an additional 200 - 400 thousand VND per day from the weaving profession".

According to Mr. Cong, the model not only creates additional income but also helps restore a profession that is showing signs of shrinking. Previously, there were quite a few households in the commune doing the craft, but over time, many families switched to trading or providing services, causing the weaving profession to gradually be forgotten. Linking production has helped the profession have the opportunity to recover and develop again.

Weaving in Bao Ha commune helps each person earn an additional income of 200-400 thousand VND/day.

To continue to promote the model's effectiveness, Bao Ha commune is evaluating and researching to implement development support solutions, such as: planning small-scale industrial zones, creating production sites; building orientations for sustainable development of bamboo and rattan raw material areas; creating conditions for participation in training programs, digital transformation and trade promotion.

The locality considers this a suitable direction, creating more livelihoods in the goal of reducing poverty.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong - Vice Chairman of Bao Ha Commune People's Committee.

The change in Bao Ha shows the effectiveness of organizing production based on local resources. From a spontaneous handicraft, a production chain has now been formed, creating jobs and increasing income for dozens of households. The Cooperative model in Bao Ha is affirming that maintaining traditional crafts not only preserves culture but is also the key to opening up opportunities to escape poverty for the community.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/phat-huy-nghe-truyen-thong-tao-sinh-ke-thoat-ngheo-o-bao-ha-post888321.html