#craft villages
Viet Nam is home to more than 5,400 craft villages and villages with traditional crafts, providing livelihoods for millions of labourers while helping preserve traditional cultural identities. However, many craft villages are at risk of fading away due to difficulties in finding markets for their products, limited access to capital and raw materials, and a shortage of skilled workers.
The Research Institute for Consultancy of Architecture and Craft Village Conservation and Development (RICACVCD) held a ceremony in Ha Noi on August 8 to mark the official commencement of its operations, opening up new avenues for research and consultancy in planning, architecture, conservation and the sustainable development of Vietnamese craft villages.
The Ha Noi Department of Education and Training, in coordination with the Thanh Oai Communal People's Committee, launched a pilot Community Learning Centre at Chuong Village Communal House in Thanh Oai Commune on July 22 under the theme "Chuong Village conical hats – From traditional heritage to modern economic value."
Amid the currents of integration, craft villages in Viet Nam are increasingly taking the initiative to bring their products to wider markets, engaging in exchanges and cooperation with global craft traditions through exhibitions, trade fairs and festivals. This trend is opening up new development space for trade and tourism, while also posing fresh demands for preserving and enriching the values of Viet Nam’s traditional crafts.
Viet Nam’s more than 5,400 craft villages, spanning bamboo and rattan weaving, ceramics, embroidery, bronze casting, wood carving, jewellery and gemstone making, are emerging as a significant economic asset.
The Ha Noi Centre for Investment Promotion and Enterprise Support coordinated with the Ha Noi Handicraft and Craft Village Association to organise a seminar with the theme “Awakening the value of craft villages: Connecting investment - Spreading Thang Long culture” in Ha Noi on November 26.
Amid the bustle on Hang Bac Street, there is a small jewellery workshop owned by artisan Nguyen Chi Thanh, the fifth generation in a family of silversmiths. The rhythmic sound of his hammer on silver sheets is like the heartbeat of Ha Noi itself, preserving a century-old craft legacy.
The “Heritage Convergence” programme, a highlight of the Thang Long – Ha Noi Festival 2025, officially opened at the Temple of Literature on November 1.
Ha Noi city authorities are working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to prepare for the Festival for the Conservation and Development of International Craft Villages 2025, scheduled to take place from November 14 to 18 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
With its large scale, the “Quintessence of Ha Noi Autumn” space, chaired by the Ha Noi Department of Industry and Trade, is considered a must-visit destination at the Autumn Fair 2025. Within the space, visitors can not only watch artisans making pottery or modelling “to he” (toy figurines) but also learn about the stories behind each unique handicraft product.
Establishments, households, and enterprises with a focus on upgrading equipment, production technology, diversifying products, and strengthening trade promotion have opened a path for the sustainable development of craft villages in coastal areas of Vinh Long Province.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, there are more than 5,400 craft villages nationwide, of which the Red River Delta region alone has about 1,500 villages, with around 300 recognised as traditional craft villages.
In recent times, Vinh Long Province has consistently strived to restore and develop crafts and craft villages in a modern, efficient manner linked to environmental protection. This has contributed to job creation, increased incomes, and improved living standards for rural residents.
A documentary film about five traditional craft villages in Viet Nam has attracted large numbers of French viewers at Cineville Cinema, Lorient city, where screenings have frequently sold out.
The President affirmed that the Party and State have always paid close attention to and highly valued the development of craft villages and artisans. Numerous guidelines and policies have been issued to provide opportunities for artisans to grow, express their talent and creativity, and preserve traditional cultural products rich in identity.
Fragmented and dispersed production, with manufacturing facilities often located within households and residential areas, has led to increasingly serious pollution in craft villages. This not only affects the health of residents but also limits the development of craft village products. In response, numerous programmes and solutions have been implemented to support craft villages in "rescuing the environment" and moving towards sustainable development.
