Stimulating Craft Village Development

Through the implementation of solutions, Phu Xuyen district has achieved recognition for 218 products in the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program by the Hanoi People's Committee. These products exemplify the district's unique traditions, culture, and identity. This success not only enhances the development of local craft villages but also drives the district to further support and encourage households and production facilities to engage in the program.

Phu Xuyen's OCOP products are closely linked with traditional craft villages

Vitality from craft villages with OCOP products

Dai Nghiep carpentry village in Tan Dan commune is renowned as the oldest traditional fine art carpentry village. Generations of skilled artisans have crafted a range of high-quality wooden products, including santalum beds, tea cabinets, altars, trays, tables, and chairs, featuring intricate patterns and detailed carvings. These products are crafted with premium materials such as mahogany, santalum, and other woods imported from South Africa, Laos, and Cambodia. Additionally, some workshops in Dai Nghiep village have made significant investments in modern machinery, transitioning from entirely manual processes to enhance production efficiency and support their operations.

According to Chairman Nguyen Trung Hoi of Tan Dan Commune People's Committee, Dai Nghiep is among the most advanced craft villages in Phu Xuyen district. With over 600 households, more than 80% are involved in the craft, supporting over 1,000 direct workers and many satellite production units in the area. The village's diverse wooden products have gained a significant market presence in many provinces and cities nationwide, and high-quality items are also exported internationally. In recent years, many production households have standardized their products, participated in OCOP assessments, and received recognition. These advancements have enhanced both production and business operations, as well as improved market access and business acumen for the households involved.

Phan Van Tuc from Dai Nghiep village reported that his family has been engaged in carpentry for over 20 years, consistently achieving an average annual revenue of VND3-4 billion. By prioritizing quality improvement, his production workshop has maintained its expected revenue levels even amidst the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Le Tien Xuan, Director of the Economic Department of Phu Xuyen District, highlighted that the district is renowned as the "land of hundreds of professions," home to many famous traditional craft villages, including Chuyen My pearl inlay, Van Tu garment, Phu Tuc grass weaving, and Xuan La figurines. The district's diverse range of crafts presents significant opportunities for advancing production, business, and the economic and labor structure, as well as for advancing new rural development. As part of the OCOP program, the district actively promotes and encourages businesses, organizations, cooperatives, and individual households to develop innovative ideas and participate in the program.

Maximum support for OCOP participants

According to the Phu Xuyen People's Committee, many products from the district's craft villages have received OCOP certification. Following their OCOP certification, producers benefit from continued support from the city and district in areas such as packaging design, labeling, and the addition of OCOP stamps with QR codes. They also receive assistance in participating in connection programs, product displays, and promotional events organized by the central government and city. Additionally, the district facilitates connections between producers and retailers, including commercial centers and supermarkets, to enhance product visibility and consumer reach.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Quang, Director of Hanoi Food Production Co., Ltd, the company has established partnerships with several local livestock farms to source commercial cows and pigs for processing into products such as ham, sausage, and bacon. All of the company’s products have achieved a 4-star rating. Following the OCOP certification of its products, the company has maintained stable production and experienced an increase in value.

Despite the progress made in the OCOP program in Phu Xuyen, there are several challenges and limitations. Some enterprises, cooperatives, and households involved in agricultural production have not fully engaged with the program. This reluctance is due to factors such as small-scale, seasonal production that fails to meet the market’s large and regular demands, and a lack of perceived benefits which has hindered active participation. To address these issues and build on the program’s successes, Phu Xuyen People's Committee will continue to direct specialized agencies, particularly the Economic Department, to work closely with communes and towns. Their efforts will focus on enhancing propaganda, encouraging participation, and providing guidance to improve involvement in the OCOP program.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Phu Xuyen People's Committee, said that the district will enhance trade promotion activities to boost the consumption of OCOP products. This includes participating in product introduction events tied to regional culture and trade fairs. The district will also focus on developing sales points for OCOP products in conjunction with craft village tourism, which will help entities improve product quality and design while finding markets through traditional distribution channels and e-commerce platforms.

Additionally, the district has established an interdisciplinary team to oversee the inspection and supervision of OCOP products, ensuring they comply with regulations on product quality, food safety, packaging, labeling, environmental protection, and other relevant state standards.

By Dinh Bao, Vietnam Business Forum