Hanoi has made a development plan to promote export of handicraft village products by 2025, with a vision to 2030, according to Acting Director of Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan.

Under the plan, the city government has set targets for exports of 6 to 10 groups of  Hanoi’s handicraft products from Hanoi's trade villages to account for 3 to 5% of Hanoi's total exports.

"Over time, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has organized numerous business matching events. These events connect Hanoi's handicraft enterprises with counterparts from Singapore, Laos, China, Cambodia, and Thailand, enabling direct transactions and fostering the development of a global handicraft brand for products such as ceramics, rattan, and bamboo weaving, lacquer, pearl mosaic, and wooden furniture, among others," Lan said.

Products from Hanoi's Bat Trang Pottery Village are popular with local and foreign visitors. Photo: Hoai Nam/ The Hanoi Times

"Hanoi considers the development of handicrafts for export a key policy to boost income growth. In addition to producing high-quality and distinctive items, handicraft enterprises are enhancing their designs to align with consumer preferences and to elevate the overall value chain of their products," emphasized Lan.

She added that numerous enterprises have placed their handicrafts on e-commerce platforms to boost sales, cut costs, enhance their brand visibility, and reach a broader global customer base.

Luu Duy Dan, Chairman of the Vietnam Craft Villages Association, mentioned that several years ago, Hanoi's handicraft products gained popularity in foreign markets due to their innovative designs and competitive prices. However, their appeal has waned over the years because there hasn't been enough innovation in their designs to meet evolving customer demands.

"To develop key export products of craft villages, Hanoi needs to prioritize the training and skill development of workers in handicraft villages. This includes promoting innovation in equipment and technology to enhance production and business efficiency, facilitating technology transfer, and applying scientific and technological advancements," stated Dan.

He emphasized the necessity of developing raw material sources for handicrafts, conducting research to enhance quality, adopting advanced methods for raw material preservation, and assisting traditional handicraft villages in building their brands.