To have typical souvenir products of Nghe An
(Baonghean) -The contest “Creating Nghe An’s unique souvenir products” was launched by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in December 2012, and was expected to end receiving products in mid-May 2013. However, due to the small number of participants, the Organizing Committee extended the deadline for receiving products until the end of September 2013, but no more individuals or businesses have participated.
The contest aims to create new souvenir products imbued with the cultural identity of Nghe An to serve the shopping needs of visitors and as gifts in the province's reception and diplomatic activities, contributing to improving the effectiveness of propaganda and promotion of tourism in Nghe An province. Contestants are artisans, painters, designers, sculptors, establishments, businesses, and craft villages that produce and design souvenir products. The Organizing Committee has coordinated with the Department of Industry and Trade, the Provincial Cooperative Union, the Department of Information and Communications, the Provincial Literature and Arts Association and press agencies to promote and mobilize organizations, businesses, and individuals to participate in the contest.
By the end of September 2013, the deadline for receiving products was approaching, but only one enterprise and one individual submitted products to participate in the contest. That was Duc Phong Company Limited (Nghi Phu Industrial Park) sent 24 rattan and bamboo products and Mr. Pham Cong Ly, residing in Hung Nguyen Town sent 6 products including paintings, sculptures... A member of the Organizing Committee said: The number of participants in the contest was small, looking at the products, subjectively, they did not meet expectations. Duc Phong Company's products were mainly manufactured products, now processed to participate in the contest. Previously, the Organizing Committee had proactively contacted a number of handicraft production enterprises, some enterprises promised to send products to participate, but so far there has been no sign of them.
The reason why the contest has not attracted many individuals, organizations and businesses to participate, Ms. Le Thi Thu Thuy, Deputy Director of Nghe An Tourism Promotion Center said: "This is the first contest organized, so individuals and businesses do not have experience participating, the requirements for the contest products are very high, requiring large investments in intelligence, technology, materials... while the prize level is still low, not attractive enough for participants".
Ms. Thuy added that before organizing the contest, the Organizing Committee consulted with some places that had organized contests for local souvenir products such as Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Ha Giang, Vinh Phuc, Can Tho, Tien Giang... During the organization process, some localities also encountered a situation of few products and few participants, but they still selected the most typical products. Among them, Hoi An City is the locality that has organized this contest many times. From 2009 to now, every 2 years, Hoi An City organizes a contest to create typical tourism products, attracting a large number of artisans, craft villages, and businesses to participate in the contest. The prize structure includes 15 prizes, a special prize of 20 million VND, in addition to supporting each product participating in the final round with 1 million VND. The Organizing Committee also creates conditions for copyright registration for winning works if requested. As for drawings and designs, the Organizing Committee will negotiate to buy back the copyright of the work to support facilities in the city for mass production.
Nghe An is a land with unique traditions and cultural identity, a tourism market with great potential. Organizing a contest to find souvenir products typical of Nghe An is necessary. However, to have a product that meets all the qualities and criteria set by the Organizing Committee (carrying the cultural identity of Nghe An; Convenient to use, compact, easy to disassemble, pack, transport; Beautiful design; Easy to produce in large quantities, easy to consume domestically and export; Environmentally friendly...) is not simple. To have a high-quality product, contestants must meet the following conditions: Deep understanding of Nghe An culture, unique ideas, sophisticated design ability and sophisticated craftsmanship, experience in the field of souvenir production.
On the other hand, Nghe An province currently does not have a mechanism to support investment in mass production and product consumption for individuals and businesses with award-winning products. After organizing the competition, Da Nang has a special support and incentive mechanism for businesses producing local specialty products (support for loans, hiring consultants, investing in purchasing modern machinery and equipment, funding for trial production, training funding, costs for industrial property registration, creating conditions for land, production premises, consignment of products for sale, free product introduction on the electronic information portal, websites of departments, branches, etc.). I think this is a good way, with the effect of "stimulating demand" for businesses producing and trading souvenirs for tourism, both promoting economic efficiency and cultural value. Hopefully, the province needs to supplement support policies for businesses with award-winning products, so that more groups, businesses and individuals can continue to send products to participate in the contest, to promote and honor Nghe An culture.
Tran Quang Dai (Nghe An Culture Magazine)
