In addition to their social and economic importance, handicraft villages are essential for the growth of the cultural sector. One of Hanoi's biggest challenges is to turn craft villages into drivers for the promotion of cultural industries. Luu Duy Dan, Chairman of the Vietnam Craft Village Association, talks to The Hanoi Times about the preservation and development of craft villages in Hanoi today.

Luu Duy Dan, Chairman of the Vietnam Craft Village Association.

How do you assess the current development of handicraft villages in Hanoi?

There are about 5,400 handicraft villages nationwide, of which about 1,350 are in Hanoi, accounting for about 25% of the country's total.

Each handicraft village in Hanoi has its unique identity, producing intricate and culturally rich products. Many rural workers find employment in these villages, which also provide growing economic benefits.

In recent years, Hanoi's traditional craft villages have become increasingly attractive to both domestic and international tourists due to their long-standing cultural values and the creativity of skilled artisans and craftsmen. This fact is very important for the development of craft villages.

A few years ago, the annual income of Hanoi's  craft villages was around VND20 trillion ($790 million). Today, this figure has increased by more than VND4 trillion ($158 million), demonstrating the robust vitality of Hanoi's craft villages. However, I personally believe that this figure still does not fully reflect their potential and advantages.

What are the major challenges facing Hanoi's craft villages today?
Hanoi's craft villages, like many others across the country, face several obstacles in their quest for sustainable growth. In my opinion, the three main problems are the risk of raw material shortages, increasing environmental pollution, and limitations in marketing and sales.

Much of the production in craft villages is seasonal, as the raw materials needed for various stages are heavily dependent on other provinces and cities, and these resources are gradually dwindling. Environmental pollution is becoming increasingly severe and is a pressing issue for most artisan villages. In addition, the design, packaging and labeling of craft village products are generally simple and unattractive, making it difficult to penetrate international markets.

Pottery from Bat Trang village in Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

What do you think of Hanoi's strategy to turn craft villages into a driving force for the development of cultural industries?

I think this is a very good strategy for Hanoi. Craft villages not only contribute significantly to economic development and social welfare, but also embody a vast amount of cultural knowledge and unique traditional values of the capital that have been nurtured throughout its long history.

Craft village products convey the culture, history, and people of the capital to both domestic and international consumers, offering insights and perspectives on the thousand-year-old Thang Long-Hanoi and promoting cultural integration and exchange. Therefore, the development of craft villages within the framework of cultural industries is a forward-looking vision for Hanoi.

Society is changing, and artisan villages cannot remain static. They must "move on" and adapt to evolving consumer tastes. In this era of integration, they can no longer afford to be complacent.

Culture must also be considered as a profound element. Artisans shouldn't just infuse their products with cultural spirit to add value, but also ensure that production is methodical and precise to maintain credibility and brand reputation on an international scale.

From my observations, Hanoi attaches great importance to the preservation and development of craft villages. The revised Capital Law was recently passed by the National Assembly, and the Master Plan for the Development of Craft Villages in Hanoi for the period 2024-2030 with a Vision to 2050 promises to create new momentum for the development of craft villages.

With policies and mechanisms in place, it is essential for various departments, agencies, and district, township, and municipal people's committees to work together rather than seeing it as the sole responsibility of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development or a single agency or locality. In addition, the city must make effective use of existing resources, especially infrastructure and human resources.

I believe that craftsmen and artisans are very important and deserve more attention. When Hanoi or any ministry or sector grants the title of artisan or recognizes an artisan village, there must be more specific and practical policies and mechanisms to utilize the value of these artisans and artisan villages.

Thank you for your time!