Traditional craft villages in Hanoi
Hanoi currently has 47 crafts out of 52 traditional crafts nationwide. Out of the 1,350 craft villages and villages that practice crafts, until now, the city has 308 craft villages and traditionally recognized craft villages in 23 districts and towns. Their products are diversified with many different styles, well-designed, high quality and possess competitive advantage in both the local and international markets, including: garments, textile and traditional embroidered-lace products; ceramics; joinery for consumption and construction, processing agricultural products (cakes, Thai rice noodles, sweets, Vietnamese sausages, Vietnamese Square Sticky Rice Cake, tea,…).
The contribution of craft villages to the eco-social growth of Hanoi, especially in rural area is significant. According to the statistics in 2018, total average revenue of 308 traditional craft villages and villages that practice crafts reached over 20.000 billion VND (about 983.5 million USD). So far, there are 2 traditional craft villages associated with cultural heritage preservation successfully attract tourism, they are Bát Tràng ceramic village and Vạn Phúc silk village.
Vạn Phúc silk village (Hà Đông district) – one of the craft villages with the longest history of weaving has now formed a full experience zone to demonstrate the production of a complete handicraft product. Bát Tràng ceramic village is not only famous for unique ceramic products but also valuable architectural complexes like Bát Tràng Communal House, which preserved 44 ancient ordination documents of the Lê, Tây Sơn and Nguyễn Dynasties, Bát Tràng temple of literature, Kim Trúc pagoda….
Tourists come to Hanoi craft villages not only due to the diversified handicrafts imbued with national identity but also for the opportunity to visit the production site, meet with craftsmen and actually take part in some steps of the production process.
However, activities of the craft villages are still small-scale and self-developed with in-house production and the search for distribution is still difficult. Facilities and infrastructure is still poor. Products of the craft villages are not well-designed, old-fashioned at times and not strong enough to compete in the market.
In the strategy for the Development of Cultural Industries in Vietnam up to 2020 with the vision for 2030 approved by the Prime Minister, there are 12 art fields chosen such as performing arts, fine arts, cultural tourism … among them fine craft is an important component of culture and the foundation for innovation and the development of design, creative and tourism industries. With Hanoi, the scheme of developing the cultural industry of the capital has considered developing fine handicraft industry as a “creative industry” has a role to play important to the socio-economic development of the city, especially the countryside.
For sustainable development, Hanoi has come up with many policies to promote craft villages development. First of all, investing in upgrading transportation infrastructure, electricity grids, clean water, improve environmental landscape, organize meetings with artisans and highly-skilled craftsmen…Hanoi’s People Committee also supports craft villages to build their brands, introduce and promote their products and at the same time, addressing environmental pollution…
Besides, in order for the Capital’s craft villages to develop in the right direction and at the same time, ensure sustainability, it is crucial to focus on developing human resources of the craft villages and developing new creative designs to create unique products with high value for money. Craftsmen also need to equip themselves with skills to actively build strong brand image and promote their products in a friendly and professional way.
