New space for craft villages

Tan Cuong tea village, Thai Nguyen .

Break away from traditional foundations

After the administrative reorganization, Thai Nguyen has become a large-scale locality, converging many advantages in culture and rural economy . The whole province currently has 278 recognized craft villages, of which 184 are traditional craft villages (accounting for 66.2%) and 94 are new craft villages (33.8%), an increase of 25 craft villages compared to 2020.

Notably, there are 256 tea villages, typically Tuc Tranh, Trai Cai, La Bang, Tan Cuong... which have contributed to affirming and spreading the famous "Thai Tea" brand throughout the country.

Besides, Thai Nguyen also develops many other types of craft villages such as bamboo and rattan weaving, wooden furniture, handicrafts, and ornamental plants. In the northern part of the province, there is currently only one traditional craft village: Kunming vermicelli.

Kunming vermicelli village (Thai Nguyen) is famous for its hand-sliced vermicelli products.

Developing traditional craft villages and craft villages not only has economic significance but is also an important solution to preserve cultural identity, while creating momentum for innovation and improving vitality for rural areas.

Mr. Duong Van Hoan, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said: Recognizing craft villages is both a tribute to traditional cultural values and a foundation for rural economic development. The province aims to support craft villages in a sustainable manner, focusing on human resource training, improving designs, promoting trade and linking with tourism , thereby enhancing competitiveness, expanding the domestic market and gradually affirming its position in the international market.

Many craft villages in Thai Nguyen have been supported with equipment investment, gradually overcoming small-scale production. In the period of 2021-2025, the province has allocated more than 9 billion VND to invest in equipment with 21 tea roasting machines, 100 rolling machines, 7 automatic packaging machines, 3 vacuum machines and 6 cold storage warehouses.

In parallel, 35 training courses were organized for about 1,500 participants, with priority given to rural workers and ethnic minorities.

Ms. Hoang Thi Dong, Ban Cuon village, Con Minh commune, said: The Con Minh vermicelli craft village currently has 49 households with more than 70 regular workers. In recent times, the government and the industry and trade sector have supported training, building labels, promoting trade, protecting the environment and linking production with sustainable development.

The above figures show that Thai Nguyen has both affirmed its position as the largest tea production center in the country and opened up room for development of many other special products.

Gia Trung wood processing village, Van Xuan ward.

Elevating craft village products

A highlight in the development of craft villages in Thai Nguyen is the proactive expansion of product consumption markets. In 2025, the province will organize the Thai Nguyen Industry and Trade - OCOP Exhibition Fair at Vo Nguyen Giap Square with 200 booths; at the same time, promote digital trade channels through programs such as Livestream "Thai Nguyen OCOP Fair" on TikTok Shop or Megalive session "Proud of Vietnamese goods - Thai Nguyen, the number one famous tea".

Along with that, Thai Nguyen's agricultural products and craft villages are also promoted at many large fairs and exhibitions at home and abroad such as: Vietnam Agricultural Products Festival, AGROVIET International Fair, Vietnam - China Trade - Tourism Fair, Hoa Binh Highlands Fair, Mekong Delta Fair, 80th National Day Exhibition at the National Exhibition Center (Hanoi)... These activities contribute to enhancing the position of Thai Nguyen craft village products, while expanding the value chain in the market.

The tea village has contributed to building the famous

Tea villages have contributed to building the famous "Thai Tea" brand, while attracting a large number of tourists to visit and experience.

Along with commercial development, Thai Nguyen focuses on exploiting community tourism associated with craft villages. Tours to experience tea picking, tea drying, and tea tasting with local people not only open up new sources of income, but also contribute to promoting the image of Thai Nguyen culture and people.

Tea artisan To Van Khiem, Director of Khe Coc Tea Cooperative, Vo Tranh Commune, shared: Maintaining the profession is both a way to make a living and a way to preserve the soul of the countryside. With support in machinery and trade promotion, Khe Coc tea products have origin traceability stamps, improved designs, and meet 3-4 star OCOP standards. More importantly, the traditional flavor is still preserved, creating a widespread influence for the Thai Nguyen tea brand.

According to the plan, in 2025 Thai Nguyen will develop 8 more craft villages (5 craft villages in the old Thai Nguyen area and 3 craft villages in the old Bac Kan area). However, up to this point, no new craft villages have been recognized. The main reasons are the lack of investment resources for infrastructure, factories, and equipment; problems in regulations for recognizing artisans and skilled workers; and many localities are still confused when completing documents.

In addition, some recognized craft villages are also facing difficulties in maintaining operations and expanding production scale.

Visitors to Hao Dat Tea Cooperative.

Ms. Duong Thi Lan, Gia Trung wood craft village, Van Xuan ward, said: The craft village was recognized in 2008, with more than 70 households participating, creating stable jobs for many workers with an income of 6-8 million VND per month. Currently, only about 10 households remain because the Chinese market has limited imports, causing many difficulties for the craft village.

In order to develop craft villages in a sustainable manner, in the coming time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will synchronously implement solutions such as: Supporting credit and modern equipment; perfecting the mechanism for recognizing artisans and skilled workers; linking craft village development with the OCOP program and community tourism; promoting trade and expanding consumer markets. These solutions aim to create momentum for the rural economy to develop stably and sustainably.

It can be affirmed that craft villages are a part of the soul of Thai Nguyen. This is not simply a place to create products but also a space to preserve customs, lifestyles and community culture through many generations. The momentum from craft villages is becoming an important driving force to promote socio-economic development, helping Thai Nguyen to both affirm its position as the "tea capital" and be known as a land that preserves and spreads sustainable traditional values.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202509/khong-gian-moi-cho-lang-nghe-52a6703/