The global economic crisis has slowed the development of craft villages and reduced their exports while material prices have gone up. Therefore, many artisans have quit their jobs. This is why many ceramic kilns have grown cold and the noise of the looms has been replaced by silence.

Some people, despite the ups and downs of life and the stiff competition with modern manufacturing technologies, still lead their life with their compassion for crafts in an effort to preserve the traditions handed down from generation to generation.

However, farmers need to be trained professionally in tourism. They need to know how to market their own products, how to attract tourists with cheap but attractive products and how to welcome tourists. Tourists do not know exactly what they should visit and they do not learn much about indigenous culture and customs.

People often remember Bat Trang and Van Phuc as local farmers are clever in doing business. When sales decline, they allow tourists to make ceramic products by themselves or offer buffalo carts for tourists to stroll around the craft village to discover local attractions. Meanwhile, artisans in Van Phuc are always willing to perform how to weave for tourists. To them, selling products is important but allowing tourists to know their products is more important.

Today, Vietnam’s craft villages face many uncertainties in organizing ability, financial resources, equipment, marketing skills, technology and infrastructure.

Product quality is not the same among the villages and some products are not suitable with contemporary styles. It is hard to make these traditions harmonize with modern styles.

“The craft village is a specific characteristic of Vietnam’s tourism in collaboration with traditional festivals and regional customs. Therefore, farmers need to be trained into tour guides who can promote typical characteristic of their own country,” said Pham Trung Luong, deputy director of the Vietnam Institute for Tourism Development Research.

Source: : VietNamNet/SGT