Vietnam targets to earn an annual export turnover of around US$660 million by 2010, according to an overall handicraft development plan for 2006-2010 that is being worked out by the Local Industry Department under the Ministry of Industry (MoI).
Under the plan, the industry will set up a competitive and sustainable production system, improve handicraft development systems while retaining traditional cultural identities, enhance villages' and communes' capacities and strengthen its institutional framework.
Central Vietnam is considered to be a region with relatively few traditional villages, so with their rich natural resources, the central provinces will be encouraged to develop a material supply industry. The handicraft sector will be regarded as part of the region's tourism.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s biggest commercial hub will become a handicraft centre in the south thanks to its easy access to other markets and high production capacity.
The southeastern region will boost competitive handicrafts in the world market and develop new products.
The Mekong Delta region will concentrate on processing handicraft and agricultural products by using local materials, and upgrading the infrastructure and distribution system for its handicraft sector to easily access urban markets.
The country now has more than 100 handicrafts produced in over 2,000 villages, which earn 20 per cent of their incomes from these crafts. An average artisan in a craft village has a monthly income of VND1.5 million.
The sector has constantly increased its export value, with this year's export turnover estimated at US$316 million, US$79 million higher than 2000, and creates jobs for 30 per cent of local laborers.
However, the sector still has some weaknesses such as out-dated technologies, small production scale, lack of information on market demand and low competitiveness.
VNA
Vietnamese
