Foreign visitors learn about Vietnamese handicrafts at a special production fair. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Due to market challenges and internal factors within the industry, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Trần Thanh Nam predicts that Việt Nam’s handicraft export value in 2024 might only reach about US$2 billion.

“With concerted efforts, the export target of $4 billion for next year may still be achievable,” he said.

Vietnamese handicrafts are exported to 163 countries and territories, accounting for nearly ten per cent of the total global market demand. From 2015 to 2019, the industry's export value grew by an average of 9.5 per cent per year, rising from $1.62 billion in 2015 to $2.23 billion in 2019, with a goal of reaching $4 billion by 2025.

However, according to the Vice Chairman of the Bình Dương Ceramics Association, Vương Siêu Tín, the number of ceramic production facilities in Bình Dương has decreased by 70-80 per cent compared to its peak, with the workforce at each facility also significantly reduced.

The industry is facing multiple challenges, including low market demand, labour shortages and a lack of production materials.

"International shipping costs have risen, production costs are increasing and market demand is low, causing ceramic sales at many facilities to drop by 50 per cent compared to previous periods," said Tín.

He added that although market demand may improve in the future, the Bình Dương ceramics industry continues to struggle to maintain its competitive edge and will face ongoing challenges without long-term solutions for labour and raw materials.

The difficulties faced by Bình Dương’s craft villages reflect the broader challenges of handicraft production nationwide.

Deputy Director of the Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development, Nguyễn Thị Hoàng Yến, emphasised that the handicraft industry is facing significant challenges, including a lack of industry links across production and insufficient collaboration between associations, businesses, training schools and craft villages.

Development remains fragmented, unsustainable and small-scale, relying primarily on household labour and space. There is no comprehensive model for craft village development linked to infrastructure investment or technology adoption.

Although handicraft designs have improved, their artistic and aesthetic value remains limited. Environmental concerns and unclear material origins also persist.

A traditional Vietnamese handicrafts booth at a fair. — VNA/VNS Photo

Seeking solutions

According to the Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development, there are currently 774,392 handicraft production facilities in Việt Nam, focusing on wood, bamboo, ceramics, embroidery and small-scale mechanical products. More than 1.4 million workers are employed in these craft villages.

Yến said that Việt Nam aims to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values of its craft villages while boosting production, enhancing competitiveness and increasing the value of handicraft products.

To accomplish this, coordinated efforts are needed to organise production, develop human resources, and preserve and develop craft villages.

Nam highlighted that three key elements in the handicraft value chain, raw materials, artisans and businesses, must be connected and support one another to drive growth. Additionally, government support through mechanisms and policies will contribute to the industry’s future development.

"We are eager to see businesses collaborate through industry associations to create a collective voice. This unity is essential for effectively promoting Vietnamese handicrafts and OCOP products to international markets," he said.

Nam also suggested that associations gather businesses to create catalogues showcasing handicraft products, which can then be shared with Vietnamese embassies to support global promotion of these products.

A noteworthy trend is the rise of online shopping and the globalisation of markets. This presents an opportunity for craft village products to extend beyond their local origins and national borders, reaching a global customer base.

“To effectively tap into the market amid increasing competition, craft villages and production facilities must adopt sustainable production practices, ensure transparency in product origins and craft compelling, unique stories around their products,” added Nguyễn Minh Tiến, Director of the Việt Nam Trade Promotion Centre for Agriculture. — VNS