Experts urge better handicraft designs to boost exports
Vietnam has been urged to improve the quality and designs of handicraft products with unique cultural footprints to boost their exports, given their high demand in the world market.
Nguyen Thu Thao of the Vietnam Association for Handicraft Exporters said the global market for handicraft and gift products was worth around US$100 billion every year, with major consumption markets concentrated in the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Holland, and Hong Kong.
In comparison, the export value of Vietnam's handicraft products reached US$1.6 billion, holding a 1.5% global market share.
Handicraft products have great export potential, according to Le Ba Ngoc, the association's general secretary.
Ngoc pointed out that Vietnam's major advantages in developing handicraft products are raw materials and labour force.
A recent survey conducted by Vietnam Rural Industries Research and Development Institute showed that 85% of handicraft companies in the country exported their products.
"The most important effort needed to boost handicraft exports is manufacturing products of competitive quality for global markets," Ngoc stressed.
The handicraft items of Vietnam have yet to create a footprint or navigate to specific markets because Vietnamese handicraft manufacturers mainly produce low-cost products in bulk for large retailers.
Around 90% of Vietnamese handicraft products are made to suit the technical designs of importers and are not made under Vietnamese labels.
Experts point out that Vietnamese handicraft producers must understand the importance of designs and sophistication in combining cultural footprints with constant innovation, which will enhance the competitiveness of their products.
In addition, handicraft producers need to pay attention to obtain international certifications to penetrate and expand to markets with stricter norms.
In comparison, the export value of Vietnam's handicraft products reached US$1.6 billion, holding a 1.5% global market share.
Handicraft products have great export potential, according to Le Ba Ngoc, the association's general secretary.
Ngoc pointed out that Vietnam's major advantages in developing handicraft products are raw materials and labour force.
A recent survey conducted by Vietnam Rural Industries Research and Development Institute showed that 85% of handicraft companies in the country exported their products.
"The most important effort needed to boost handicraft exports is manufacturing products of competitive quality for global markets," Ngoc stressed.
The handicraft items of Vietnam have yet to create a footprint or navigate to specific markets because Vietnamese handicraft manufacturers mainly produce low-cost products in bulk for large retailers.
Around 90% of Vietnamese handicraft products are made to suit the technical designs of importers and are not made under Vietnamese labels.
Experts point out that Vietnamese handicraft producers must understand the importance of designs and sophistication in combining cultural footprints with constant innovation, which will enhance the competitiveness of their products.
In addition, handicraft producers need to pay attention to obtain international certifications to penetrate and expand to markets with stricter norms.