HCM CITY. HCM City is gradually refining its plan to preserve and develop rural industries and traditional craft villages for 2026–2030. The project focuses on local livelihoods, market expansion, digital preservation of cultural heritage and environmental protection.
The initiative was discussed at a consultation workshop on Thursday organised by the city’s Department of Agriculture and Environment. Representatives of municipal agencies, trade authorities, industry experts and local communities attended.
A comprehensive survey by the municipal Department of Agriculture and Environment found that the southern metropolis currently has nearly 12,000 rural industrial establishments.
The sector employs more than 36,300 people and generates annual output worth nearly VNĐ9.5 trillion, or about US$368 million.
The main groups include agricultural, forestry and fishery processing; handicraft production such as wooden furniture, bamboo weaving, ceramics, glassware, textiles and embroidery; small-scale mechanical engineering; and ornamental plant cultivation.
The city has formally recognised 11 traditional crafts, one craft village and three traditional craft villages.
Notable centres include rice paper making in Phú Hoà Đông Commune, traditional weaving in Thái Mỹ Commune, salt processing in Thiềng Liềng and mai, or yellow ochna, flower cultivation in Bình Lợi.
Local authorities acknowledge that most establishments operate on a small and fragmented scale, with limited links across supply chains.
Unstable raw-material supplies, slow equipment upgrades, outdated designs and a lack of workforce succession remain persistent problems.
Supporting master artisans and preserving skills digitally
To address workforce constraints, the 2026–2030 project calls for vocational training, the transmission of craft skills, recognition of master artisans and efforts to attract young workers.
“Developing and submitting criteria to the municipal People’s Committee for recognising master artisans is one of the most important factors in preserving craft villages,” said Trần Thị Loan, head of the Rural Industries Division under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
She described skilled craftspeople as the “living soul of traditional trades.”
Under the strategy, city authorities will collect, document and digitise working methods, craft secrets, historic patterns and cultural narratives. The material will support vocational training and long-term archiving.
The city aims to secure official recognition for 14 additional traditional crafts and three traditional craft villages by 2030.
“The city will shift from supporting individual households to supporting entire industrial clusters, craft villages and complete value chains,” Loan said.
Nguyễn Văn Đa, deputy director of the city’s Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: “It is necessary to strengthen links across the value chain, from raw-material suppliers to distributors, and invest in design, branding and OCOP certification to unlock market potential.”
He said this was especially important for handicrafts, which account for 4.4 per cent of establishments but generate 22.5 per cent of total output value.
Eco-tourism and green production standards
Craft village tourism could raise local incomes through hands-on activities, production demonstrations and direct sales.
The city plans to create seven specialised routes combining craft villages, eco-tourism and educational trips. It also plans to link five traditional crafts directly with tourism.
Dr Lê Đức Minh of the city’s Department of Tourism proposed including craft villages in national and international promotional campaigns and developing a “One Craft Village, One Distinctive Tourism Product” model.
Representatives of the city’s Department of Industry and Trade also proposed using multimedia communications more actively and creating international brands for promising handicraft exports on e-commerce platforms and in modern retail networks.
“Addressing environmental problems remains a mandatory condition for the long-term survival of craft villages and their appeal to tourists.”
Vũ Ngọc Đăng, head of the Rural Development Sub-Department, said the city aims to have 100 per cent of craft village establishments comply with environmental protection regulations by 2030.
“The solutions will focus on centralised wastewater and solid-waste management, technological innovation and energy efficiency.”
Establishments that pollute the environment and do not fit spatial plans will be relocated in stages while protecting local livelihoods and cultural spaces.
The project includes 26 priority tasks. About VNĐ181 billion, or US$7 million, is planned for implementation in 2026–2030.
Workshop participants called on the city’s People’s Committee to provide annual state funding, combine capital sources and prioritise endangered crafts, environmental restoration and infrastructure for rural tourism.
Sources: Viet Nam News
