Nghe An strives to preserve traditional occupations

"Fluttering" craft villages

Taking advantage of the sunny days of April, Mr. Nguyen Van Ha's family in Nghi Phong commune (Nghi Loc) brought in newly imported nettle trees to peel the bark to prepare raw materials for making do paper - a profession that has supported his family for decades. From dozens of households doing the profession in previous years, now, the number of households still sticking with this traditional profession can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Despite many difficulties, however, in his heart, Mr. Ha has never thought of giving up the profession passed down from his ancestors.

Do paper craft village in Nghi Phong commune, Nghi Loc district currently has only 3 households practicing the craft. Photo: QA

Mr. Ha shared: “The profession of making do paper is no longer the same as before, the market demand has decreased, people in the craft village are gradually looking for new jobs, so the atmosphere is quiet. Making do paper requires many steps, and depends on the weather because when it rains, the paper cannot be dried, while the price is only 3,000 - 4,000 VND/sheet, working all day only earns more than 100,000 VND after deducting expenses. Knowing that it is not enough for living, however, it is a profession that has been passed down for hundreds of years, so I continue to stick with it...”.

Mr. Hoang Manh Ha - Chairman of Nghi Phong Commune People's Committee said: In 2007, Phong Phu Do paper craft village in the commune was recognized as a provincial-level craft village. Previously, Do paper was widely used in fan pasting, incense wrapping or sea fish pasting and wrapping. However, in the trend of modernization, industrial paper was born, the Do paper market could not compete. The whole commune now has only 3 households working regularly, the risk of losing the profession is gradually present...

Do Nha weaving village in Chau Nhan commune has only a few elderly people left. Photo: QA

Do Nha bamboo weaving village in Chau Nhan commune (Hung Nguyen) is also in a similar situation. In hamlet 9, Chau Nhan commune, which used to be a famous weaving area, there are now few people doing the job. There are not many young people in the village anymore, sometimes you can see the image of old people over 60 years old still diligently weaving, although their income is not as good as before, they still take the time to split bamboo strips, it seems that it was a habit of their youth.

According to Chau Nhan Commune authorities, the Do Nha weaving village has been inactive for the past few years, mainly the elderly, taking advantage of their free time in the fields to continue the craft. Due to unstable output, difficulty in importing raw materials, rising prices, and lack of labor, it is very difficult to maintain the craft…

Not onlycraft villageDo paper, weaving, but in fact, in Nghe An province today, many craft villages have gradually disappeared. According to statistics, currently, the whole province has 182 craft villages, of which 37 are operating at a low level, 22 have stopped operating, of which, focusing on rattan and bamboo weaving villages with 12 villages stopped operating, accounting for more than 50%.

12 bamboo and rattan weaving villages have stopped operating in the province. Photo: QA

There are many reasons why these craft villages are no longer maintained as before. The main reason is that the market demand has decreased, causing difficulties in output, and the craft villages have not yet built their brands. Many craft villages have fragmented, small-scale production, lacking connections. In particular, the human resources for craft villages are currently decreasing sharply, the majority of craft village workers are mainly middle-aged and elderly, the young generation with good health has chosen other economic directions such as: Going abroad to work, working in companies...

Adapt to keep the job

In the context that many traditional craft villages in Nghe An are facing difficulties in production processes as well as consumer markets, there are still craft villages that bring products to the market that are well received by consumers, the scale of the craft villages is increasingly expanding, bringing stable income. The common point of these craft villages is to focus on improving product quality and grasping trends, changing traditional business methods, promoting products to many customers in and outside the province.

Although the rice cake making village has only recently been certified, it has developed strongly and its products are popular. Photo: Hoai Thu

The banh ca craft village in Hung Tan commune (Hung Nguyen) is a typical example. Although it was just established and recognized as a provincial craft village just over 3 years ago, Hung Tan's banh ca products have made a breakthrough development when they are favored and consumed strongly by the market. From 60 households when recognized, now the whole commune has more than 100 households, concentrated in 2 hamlets Lang Nam and Lang Dong. The stable income is from 5-7 million VND/household/month, during peak months, the income can be more than 10 million VND/household/month.

Ms. Dinh Thi Ly, a banh ca maker in Hung Tan commune, said: Nowadays, consumers pay great attention to health, products must have a clear origin, and ingredients that meet food hygiene and safety standards. We ensure these criteria, the ingredients to make banh ca are very simple and familiar, such as sticky rice flour, sugar and eggs. In particular, no preservatives, colorants or baking powder are used, extremely benign. After being released to the market, it is both delicious and safe, so it is gradually accepted and loved by consumers.

Eggplant cakes are packaged for sale. Photo: Hoai Thu

Mr. Phan Dang Minh - Vice Chairman of Hung Tan Commune People's Committee shared: "After being recognized as a craft village, the commune completed the procedures to participate in the OCOP competition, and the result was 3 stars. In addition, thanks to the help of the younger generation, people have also approached modern sales methods by regularly livestreaming sales on social networks, shipping goods to customers... From there, products are consumed wherever they are produced...".

In Quy Chau district, there are two recognized craft villages: the incense production village and the Hoa Tien brocade weaving village. According to the assessment of the Nghe An Rural Development Department, both of these craft villages are in the top of the stable craft villages, with strong consumption markets and guaranteed income for the people.

Quy Chau incense village has developed steadily in recent years. Photo: QA

Mr. Lo Van The - Head of the Economic - Infrastructure Department of Quy Chau district said: The local incense craft village has had a stable output in recent years, its quality and brand have been affirmed, so it is trusted by the market. Especially during holidays and Tet, production is not enough to supply. The current difficulty is that the incense root material area in Quy Chau is only about 40 hectares, not meeting 50% of the output for the craft village, so it has to regularly import incense roots from other localities.

For Hoa Tien brocade weaving village, in addition to serving tourists coming to the local community tourism, the children of the village have been active, regularly promoting their products at fairs and exhibitions at home and abroad, thus achieving a "double effect" by both ensuring product output and introducing tourists from all over the country to their homeland to experience brocade weaving...

Hoa Tien brocade products are meticulously made. Photo: QA

Ms. Sam Thi Tinh (middle) introduces Hoa Tien brocade products from Quy Chau district to international friends. Photo: QA

In the coming time, the province will have solutions to accompany and support the operation of craft villages, especially focusing on products with export potential, large market demand and products serving tourists. In particular, the key tasks include focusing on vocational training; improving equipment and machinery; supporting loans for craft village development, linking the craft village development program with tourism development. In particular, promoting trade promotion activities, introducing market information for craft village products.

Mr. Le Van Luong - Head of Nghe An Rural Development Department