The country currently has 2,000 traditional craft villages producing famous products using bamboo and rattan, lacquer, ceramics, embroidery and weaving. These villages play an important role in preserving traditional cultural values and developing the tourism sector.

Localities with many traditional craft villages include Hanoi, Ha Tay, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang. Famous traditional craft products in the north comprise Van Phuc silk, Dong Ky wood products, Dong Ho paintings, Bat Trang ceramics while My Xuyen sculptures, Phu Cam conical hats, and Non Nuoc stone sculptures are highlights of the region. Ben Tre coconut sweets, Lai Vu spring rolls, and Tan Chau silk are the most famous in the south and Mekong Delta region. These villages have great potential for tourism development.

In addition to advantages such as landscapes and special traditional cultural features, traditional craft villages attract tourists thanks to cultural zones or historical relics. These aspects constitute special features for village craft tourism.

Photojournalist Syllvie Briset from Le Courie in France has had many chances to visit Vietnam. She said the most attractive aspect of Vietnamese tourism is the country’s traditional craft villages.

“Each time I came to Vietnam, I visited one of traditional craft village to take photographs and gain a better understanding of local people,” Ms Briset said. “The most interesting address is the Bat Trang ceramic village as its ceramic products are very sophisticated and unique. However, tourism information here is very sparse and I hope that in the near future the village will resolve these shortcomings.”

When visiting craft villages, tourists not only enjoy the peaceful scenery but also see production facilities and meet with skillful and intelligent artisans. They can even make products themselves. This adds to the attraction of tours to craft villages.

Barbel Measeen, a visitor from Argentina said: ”Your craft villages are very special. I can enjoy peaceful scenery and directly meet artisans, as well as make products by myself. The last time I visited Phu Lang ceramics, I made a flowerpot myself. Although it is not beautiful, I like it as it is a sweet reminder of my visit. Whenever I see it I remember Vietnam and the impressive trip to the country.”

The common thing shared among these craft villages is that they are located in favourable geographic positions, helping them easily transport their products. This is also an advantage to develop tours. In addition, the development of craft villages helps strengthen tourism promotion and handicraft exports. However, the efficiency of craft village tourism is not high.

Michael Johnstoll, marketing manager of the Millennium Tourism Company, said to develop traditional craft villages, some weaknesses have to be addressed.

“Craft villages are facing a number of issues such as management, market information, infrastructure and environment”, Mr Johnstoll said. “The major cause is a lack of coordination among relevant organisations in developing and planning craft villages. Furthermore, the villages have not paid due attention to environment and scenery.”

If craft village tourism is organised with a view to meeting the needs of cultural exchanges and allowing tourists to get involved in making products, craft villages will be an attractive and interesting destination. In addition, to attract more visitors, craft villages should restore and develop traditional cultural activities, build a cultural tourism environment, improve infrastructure, protect the tourism environment, and strengthen vocational training for young people to preserve traditional skills and cultural identities.