President hails role of artisans in cultural promotion
Products from Vietnamese craft villages are exported to over 160 countries worldwide, generating a revenue of over US$2 billion each year.
THE HANOI TIMES — President Luong Cuong on June 10 praised the contributions of Vietnamese artisans in preserving and promoting national cultural values, saying their work over the years has been vital to maintaining the country’s traditional identity.
He made the remarks while meeting with outstanding artisans at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, part of a series of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the Vietnam Craft Villages Association.
"The work of artisans in craft villages over the past years has helped to preserve and promote the country’s cultural values," President Luong Cuong said at a meeting with outstanding artisans at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi.
The meeting was one of the events held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Craft Villages Association, demonstrating the role of Vietnamese craft villages and traditional crafts in the country's socio-economic development.
President Luong Cuong (center, wearing light blue T-shirt) meets with handicraft artisans at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on June 10. Photos: VNA
Praising the fine handicrafts of Vietnam, President Cuong expressed his appreciation for the development of craft villages, which have created numerous job opportunities, particularly for rural dwellers.
"These craft villages not only provide livelihoods and contribute to the local economy, but they also preserve and promote the cultural and historical values of the local area," said Cuong.
He praised the artisans' dedication and considered them to be the soul of their craft villages. Cuong encouraged them to continue to uphold their crafts, hone their skills, and train the next generation, contributing to Vietnamese culture.
The president asked relevant ministries and sectors to refine mechanisms and policies to improve the treatment of artisans, encourage innovation in handicraft production, and develop tourist craft villages.
President Luong Cuong and outstanding handicraft artisans at their meeting in Hanoi on June 10.
Trinh Quoc Dat, Chairman of the Vietnam Craft Villages Association, said that thanks to the renovation process, craft villages and their handicrafts now have enormous potential to access international markets, improving people's livelihoods and creating jobs.
"The Party and State’s guidelines and policies have greatly helped craft villages to develop strongly and villagers to improve their living standards. To develop, traditional craft villages need support in terms of policies, technologies, and initiatives, helping artisans to make use of local materials and training the next generations," said Dat.
Vietnam currently has more than 5,400 craft villages, including 2,000 traditional craft villages, and 57 elements of national intangible cultural heritage in the traditional handicraft category. These craft villages employ around 11 million local workers, accounting for approximately 30% of the labor force in rural and mountainous areas.
Many traditional craft villages continue to promote their value, contributing to the eradication of hunger and poverty and the development of new-style rural areas. Others have become attractive destinations for local and international tourists.
