Log in
Culture

Hanoi boosts craft village tourism

Developing craft village tourism is considered as a good way to promote the history of Vietnam and Hanoi.

Innovating and promoting handicrafts are solutions for Hanoi to lure more visits to craft villages, contributing to the growth of the city’s tourism.   

Craft villagers in Phu Tuc commune, Phu Xuyen district. Photo: Hai Linh

A thousand and three hundred craft villages in Hanoi produce a wide variety of products such as pottery (Bat Trang village, Gia Lam district); lacquer (Ha Thai village), embroidery (Quat Dong village, Thuong Tin district); fan (Chang Son village); bamboo and rattan (Phu Vinh village, Chuong My district) among others. Despite a growing number of tourists to these villages, souvenir, revenue is still poor, partly due to the lack of diverse and signature items.

Unattractive product and packaging design, along with promotional activities that have not been properly invested, are to blame for the meager profits, said the president of the UNESCO Travel Club in Hanoi, Truong Quoc Hung. Today, craft villages basically offer what they have instead of what tourists need, while local artisans, although being skillful, lack experience, financial and technology know-how, so they have not accessed customers via the internet.

In addition, the connection with tourist destinations is weak, so craft traders cannot understand the needs and tastes of tourists, which is also the reason for the bad sale of souvenirs, Hung added.

Innovation & promotion

Realizing about these shortcomings, some establishments have invested efforts to innovate product designs and packaging. In addition to traditional items such as rattan baskets, rattan tables and chairs, artisan Hoang Van Hanh (Phu Vinh bamboo and rattan craft village, Chuong My district) has created new products suitable for the demand of young visitors such as bracelets, rings which are made of rattan and bamboo.

Meanwhile, many lacquer products of Ha Thai village (Thuong Tin district), after being applied changes in motif and design, have earned the preference of foreign customers, Chairman of Ha Thai Lacquer Association Do Hung Chieu said. Some businesses and craft village households have set up their websites and take advantage of social networks to promote their products.

In order to support craft villages, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade in cooperation with the municipal Department of Tourism organized the design competitions for handicraft products in recent years, with the aim of stimulating creativity and launching new product models suitable to the demand of tourists. Besides, the Hanoi Department of Tourism has supported those villages through promoting handicrafts on its website.

According to local insiders, instead of mainly depending on foreign tourists, craft villages should pay more attention to domestic tourists, especially as this segment is one of the important solutions to restore and stabilize the tourism market in Hanoi in particular and in Vietnam in general. 

The tourism Department will launch an application to introduce craft village products using 3D technology, allowing visitors to see details of products, information about the artisans, craft villages and the process of elaborating the item. This application is expected to be a promotion channel for more than 300 craft villages, contributing to improving the quality of tourism products and increasing the spending of local and foreign visitors to the city in the coming time.

Reactions:
Share:
Trending
Most Viewed
Related news
Vietnamese in UK march to mark 50 years of reunification

Vietnamese in UK march to mark 50 years of reunification

Fifty years ago, their ancestors raised the flag over the Independence Palace. Today, a new generation raises it again, not with guns but pride and gratitude.

Cakes for Reunification Day Celebration

Cakes for Reunification Day Celebration

The festive cakes are not just tasty, they’re a feast for the eyes, spreading joy and national pride with every bite.

“The Color of Silk” Exhibition: A dialogue between heritage and art

“The Color of Silk” Exhibition: A dialogue between heritage and art

A new art exhibition at Yen Thai Communal House celebrates Vietnam’s enduring silk weaving tradition reimagined through the eyes of emerging young artists.

Hanoi celebrates Book and Reading Culture Day 2025

Hanoi celebrates Book and Reading Culture Day 2025

The event aims to enrich the emotional and intellectual lives of Hanoi's people, encouraging a deeper appreciation for books and the role they play in shaping thoughtful, informed citizens.

Hanoi's Old Quarter to host cultural events for Reunification Day

Hanoi's Old Quarter to host cultural events for Reunification Day

A diverse range of cultural activities, including exhibitions, installations, and art performances, will be held in Hanoi's Old Quarter from April 18 to June 1, to celebrate the major national holiday and offer meaningful experiences to residents and visitors.

Series of artistic programs to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Reunification Day

Series of artistic programs to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Reunification Day

These elaborately staged art programs are expected to captivate both the public and visitors in Hanoi during the holiday.

Tay Phuong Pagoda Festival declared National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Tay Phuong Pagoda Festival declared National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Nguyen Gia Tri's painting breaks international auction records

Nguyen Gia Tri's painting breaks international auction records

THE HANOI TIMES — The masterwork by the renowned Nguyen Gia Tri “Les Trois Femmes” (Three Women) has just been sold for a groundbreaking price, setting a new record for Indochinese paintings auctioned outside of Vietnam.