Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Photo: Hanoimoi Newspaper

How do you see the potential and benefits of Hanoi's craft villages, especially those that practice traditional trades?

Not only do these villages provide significant economic benefits and improve the livelihoods of local families, but they also embody unique historical and cultural values.

Hanoi is home to 1,350  craft villages, representing 56% of the total in Vietnam. Of these, 334 have been officially recognized for their traditional crafts. Each village has its own identity, producing unique and intricate items that reflect the country's cultural heritage and generating increasing economic returns for rural communities. The annual production value of Hanoi's craft villages exceeds VND24 trillion (US$946.2 million).

These villages are actively contributing to the transformation of the rural economy and laying the groundwork for the successful implementation of the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program and the New Style Rural Development drive in the city.

Hanoi is implementing various initiatives to integrate its traditional craft villages into the global network of Creative Cities of Crafts. What is the global network of Creative Cities of Crafts and how will Hanoi's traditional craft villages benefit from joining this network?

Hanoi identifies its craft villages as a centerpiece of the Cultural Industry Decade and a key component in the socio-economic development of rural areas. These villages have become must-visit destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists, offering products that convey the culture, history and identity of the capital.

The World Crafts Council (WCC) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion and development of global crafts and traditional skills. The WCC empowers artisans, celebrates cultural diversity and contributes to sustainable development by working with artisans and stakeholders worldwide to prevent the extinction of endangered crafts.

To date, the WCC has recognized 68 craft villages from cities that have joined the global network of Creative Cities of Crafts.

During the 2023 Vietnam Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival, jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Hanoi People's Committee, the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development signed two memoranda of understanding with the WCC and Sweden's Lund University School of Industrial Design.

The Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has worked with the WCC on several projects, including upgrading craft villages to become members of the Creative Cities of Crafts network.

Membership in this global network will enhance the performance, brand, and value of Hanoi's artisan villages, facilitating comprehensive and sustainable development. Participation in the network will help artisans gain knowledge in production and business practices, and connect them to overseas markets.

What steps has Hanoi taken towards the integration of its craft villages into the global network of Creative Cities of Crafts?

The city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has selected five qualified craft villages to postulate for membership in this international network. These villages are Bat Trang Pottery (Gia Lam District), Chuong Conical Hat (Thanh Oai District), Van Phuc Silk Weaving (Ha Dong District), Phu Vinh Bamboo and Rattan Weaving (Chuong My District), and Son Dong Wood Sculpture (Hoai Duc District).

These villages are unique not only for their distinctive handicrafts, but also for their rich historical and cultural significance and their positive contribution to local socio-economic development. In particular, the artisanal products from these villages serve both the domestic market and have significant export potential, enhancing Vietnam's standing in the international arena.

Of the five nominated villages, the WCC Executive Committee has approved Bat Trang as a member of the Creative City of Crafts for pottery and Van Phuc for silk weaving.

Recently, an international jury from the WCC, in cooperation with the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, conducted assessments to evaluate the criteria for admitting these two villages as members of the global network of Creative Cities of Crafts.

What results did the World Craft Council get from surveying Bat Trang and Van Phuc craft villages?

Travelers learn to make terra cotta items at the Bat Trang Pottery Village. Photo: Bat Trang Ceramic Museum

During their visit, the international jury expressed their high regard for the unique cultural, historical, economic and social values of the craft villages of Bat Trang and Van Phuc.

They commended  Bat Trang Pottery Village for fully meeting the criteria of a traditional craft village and deemed it deserving of membership in the global network of Creative Cities of Crafts.

They also highlighted Van Phuc Silk Weaving Village's artisanal weaving stage, especially its innovative textile designs. However, to advance further within the network, it is suggested that Van Phuc should build a handicraft museum to preserve valuable historical materials and honor outstanding artisans.

The jury also noted that the village's artisans have skillfully integrated technology into their craft processes. To maximize its potential, the village should expand international exchanges and collaborations while developing a comprehensive craft ecosystem.

Hanoi's craft villages as members of the global network of Creative Cities of Crafts would be a source of pride for the local community contributing to the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values and fostering the socio-economic development of rural Hanoi.

How will Hanoi implement international cooperation programs to promote the integration of craft villages?

To boost the production and competitiveness of craft village products, the Hanoi People's Committee is currently reviewing and approving the Comprehensive Development Plan for Craft Villages in Hanoi from 2024 to 2030, with a vision for 2050. This plan prioritizes international cooperation activities to help traditional craft villages expand their market reach while promoting their cultural values on a global scale.

We will also intensify our cooperation with the WCC to promote the products of the artisan villages, develop training networks and improve production capacity. In particular, products from these villages will have the opportunity to participate in major international exhibitions, facilitating access to global markets and strengthening their brand value.

Thank you for your time.