THE HANOI TIMES – Hanoi’s historic Chuyen My Mother-of-Pearl Mosaic Craft Village, a 1,000-year-old cultural gem, is on the cusp of achieving international acclaim as it prepares to join the World Crafts Council’s Global Creative Cities Network.
During a pivotal meeting on August 5, the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment urged Chuyen My Commune authorities to expedite several critical infrastructure and cultural projects this month to bolster their bid for global recognition.
International visitors exploring Chuyen My Mother-of-Pearl Mosaic Craft Village. Photo: Nguyen Truong/Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper
The department further directed the commune to finalize its application dossier, ensuring compliance with the World Crafts Council’s (WCC) stringent membership criteria for its esteemed global network.
Additionally, the commune must enhance its physical infrastructure and elevate the cultural significance of its handcrafted products through thematic exhibitions, storytelling initiatives, and maintaining an immaculate, eco-friendly village environment.
Hoang Thi Hoa, Head of the Rural Development Division at the department, emphasized during the August 5 meeting that joining the global network would unlock opportunities for branding, international promotion, and development of local crafts.
“This move will also solidify Hanoi’s role in preserving and innovating traditional cultural values on the global stage,” she added.
Nguyen Thi Thuy Huong, Vice Chairwoman of the Chuyen My Commune People’s Committee, revealed ongoing efforts to establish a traditional craft room and guest reception area at the village’s ancestral temple. Artifacts, historical photographs, certifications, and artisan sketches are being curated for public exhibition.
Simultaneously, a museum and meeting space is under construction at the local OCOP (One Commune One Product) Design and Innovation Center, featuring illustrated legends, historical narratives, and live craft demonstrations.
The commune has also launched two vocational training centers and identified key assessment sites, including the ancestral temple, Trung Hamlet’s church, the Thon Thuong Craft Village Association, and active production households.
Meeting participants discussed additional measures to meet WCC criteria, focusing on artifact preservation, environmental cleanliness, and logistical preparations for the upcoming evaluation.
In late 2024, Hanoi’s Bat Trang Pottery Village and Van Phuc Silk Village became Vietnam’s first traditional craft communities to secure WCC membership.
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Hanoi boasts 1,350 craft villages, safeguarding 47 of Vietnam’s 52 traditional trades. To foster their growth, the city has launched a comprehensive 2025-2030 development plan, with a vision extending to 2050, aimed at enhancing product quality, expanding global market reach, and celebrating cultural heritage through international partnerships. The Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment is collaborating closely with the World Crafts Council to showcase local craftsmanship at major international exhibitions, improve production capabilities, and provide specialized training. By year-end, Hanoi aims for craft villages to contribute 8.5% to the city’s industrial output. Infrastructure upgrades are planned for 50 villages, alongside pollution mitigation in critically affected areas. Looking ahead to 2030, the city aims to support over 10,000 businesses, generate 50,000 rural jobs, and increase handicraft exports by 5%-8%, cementing its status as a global hub for traditional craftsmanship. |
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