Vietnam Establishes New Institute for Craft Village Protection and Development

Vietnam has officially established the Institute for Architectural Research, Consultation, and Craft Village Development, aimed at protecting and developing traditional craft villages (làng nghề) facing new demands from rapid urbanization, digitalization, green transition, and international integration. The establishment of this institute marks a significant step for Vietnam's thousands of craft villages to adapt to the evolving economic landscape and meet the demands of the global market. These villages, crucial to Vietnam's cultural heritage and economy, have faced challenges in their survival and development amid rapid socio-economic changes. Vietnam recognizes the substantial potential of its over 5,400 craft villages in the global market, estimated to be worth trillions of dollars. Past initiatives include promotional contests for traditional craft villages, with students from the University of Da Nang winning first prize, and the regular organization of the Vietnam Craft Village Fair, which honors and showcases traditional craftsmanship and One Commune One Product (OCOP) items. The newly established institute will provide specialized consulting and research in architectural design, technological innovation, market strategies, and sustainable development methods for these craft villages. The goal is to enhance the competitiveness of their products in international markets while preserving their traditional values. Within Vietnam's state-led economic development strategy under the one-party system, balancing the protection of traditional culture with economic growth is a key policy objective. This institute's establishment embodies this objective. Particularly for Vietnam, which has deep economic ties with China, this initiative can be seen as part of its diplomatic strategy to foster international cooperation while safeguarding its unique culture and industries. Source: Nhan Dan