Making craft villages members of the World Network of Creative Craft Cities:

After Bat Trang ceramic village and Van Phuc silk village became the first two craft villages in Vietnam to be recognized by the World Craft Council as members of the World Creative Craft Cities Network (late 2024), Hanoi set a goal of having two more craft villages, Chuyen My mother-of-pearl inlay - lacquer and Son Dong painting and sculpture, become official members of the network by 2025. To achieve that, authorities at all levels, artisans and local communities must make concerted efforts.

Introducing traditional pottery making methods in Bat Trang craft village. Photo: Quang Thai

Enhancing the brand of craft villages

Mother-of-pearl inlay in Chuyen My commune appeared since the Ly dynasty, famous for its sophisticated products made from mother-of-pearl and snails inlaid on mahogany beds, cabinets, paintings, tables and chairs... From only serving the royal court and the nobility, now the products of the craft village have become popular goods, exported to many countries. Along with mother-of-pearl inlay, Boi Khe lacquer craft (Chieu My commune) also has a long history, since the Mac dynasty, famous for its unique and elaborate inlaid lacquer products.

Chuyen My has now established an artisan club, gathering the most talented craftsmen, and at the same time built a Center for design, creation and promotion of OCOP products (One Commune One Product Program). This is the foundation for the locality to become a potential candidate for the World Network of Creative Craft Cities in 2025.

Meanwhile, Son Dong painting and sculpture village is famous for its sophisticated carving, carving, making of worship objects, and gilding. The village's products are present in many major cultural works, such as: Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, Ngoc Son Temple, One Pillar Pagoda, etc. The commune government has implemented the construction of a Center for creative design and product promotion, in order to meet the requirements of conservation, promotion and international connection.

According to Head of the Rural Development Department (Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment) Hoang Thi Hoa, to be recognized as a member of the World Creative Craft Cities Network, craft villages must meet a set of strict criteria, including: historical depth, cultural values, number of artisans, community cohesion, and the ability to develop a sustainable economy - society - environment. This is an opportunity for Hanoi craft villages to affirm the value of their heritage, while expanding export markets and enhancing the position of Vietnamese handicrafts.

Along with Bat Trang and Van Phuc, which were recognized in 2024, Hanoi is currently supporting Chuyen My and Son Dong communes to complete their dossiers to join the network. The city also continues to research and select other potential craft villages, aiming to have more craft villages join the global network by 2030.

Silk production at Van Phuc silk village (Ha Dong ward). Photo: Nguyen Quang

Accelerate the completion of criteria

In Chuyen My commune, to prepare documents to submit to the World Craft Council for recognition, the commune has implemented many specific steps: Collecting artifacts, royal decrees, and craft samples; building a traditional room, photo albums of products from each period; designing a multilingual website, producing promotional videos; printing leaflets to introduce mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquer products. In addition, the locality also arranged a space to display certificates, medals, antiques and craft materials, to create a vivid system of evidence for its rich history.

In Son Dong commune, the local government has planned an OCOP product introduction center and mobilized artisans to participate in the work of preserving and creating new designs. This is an important condition for craft villages to both preserve traditional techniques and develop products to meet domestic and foreign market demand.

In order to support craft villages, recently, the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment has supported Chuyen My craft village to organize tours and learn from experiences at Bat Trang ceramic craft village and Son Dong painting and sculpture craft village. Experience from Bat Trang shows that the joint efforts of the craft village community is a key factor. When each artisan and each household considers preserving the craft as a common responsibility, the recognition dossier will have real value.

Sharing her experience, Bat Trang ceramic artisan Ha Thi Vinh, who is also Vice President of the Vietnam Craft Village Association and President of the Hanoi Handicraft and Craft Village Association, said that this model is highly appreciated by the World Craft Council for its connection between conservation, creativity and tourism development. “Each family and clan in Bat Trang is like a “living museum”, telling the story of the craft to tourists,” Ms. Ha Thi Vinh shared.

Meanwhile, Van Phuc has taken advantage of its 1,000-year history of silk weaving, combining the development of OCOP products and expanding tourism space. The craft village has upgraded its infrastructure, built an experience street, and maintained the practice of passing on the craft to the younger generation. The success of Van Phuc silk village shows that close coordination between the government, artisans and the community is the key to meeting international standards.

According to Chairman of the People's Committee of Chuyen My Commune Nguyen Huu Chi, the visit and learning from experience will help the locality have a clearer direction in the process of preparing documents. He expressed his hope that Chuyen My will soon become an official member of the World Network of Creative Craft Cities, contributing to affirming the position of Hanoi's handicrafts.

According to Ms. Hoang Thi Hoa, along with completing the dossier, it is important that each craft village must link development with tourism, creating cultural experiences for visitors. That is also a way to spread values, pass on the profession to the younger generation, and ensure sustainability. Joining the World Network of Creative Craft Cities is not only an honor, but also creates momentum for the capital's cultural industry. Through the network, Hanoi's craft village products will have more opportunities to promote internationally, access a large market, and attract tourists and investors.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dua-lang-nghe-tro-thanh-thanh-vien-mang-luoi-cac-thanh-pho-thu-cong-sang-tao-the-gioi-khang-dinh-gia-tri-di-san-mo-rong-quang-ba-toan-cau-716541.html