Digital transformation in traditional craft villages

Hanoi currently has approximately 1,350 craft villages, including 331 recognized traditional craft villages with strong brands such as: Bat Trang ceramic village (Gia Lam district), Ngu Xa bronze casting village (Ba Dinh district), Van Phuc silk village (Ha Dong district)... To promote cultural values ​​and increase business profits, people in these craft villages have boldly applied science and technology and digital transformation through online platforms.

Through the internet, especially social networks like Facebook, TikTok, Zalo, and e-commerce platforms (Shopee, Lazada, Sendo, etc.), both ceramic producers and buyers can more easily connect with each other. “Previously, villagers producing jars, vases, bowls, plates, etc., usually only sold them locally, transported them to other localities, or exported them to some countries. However, since the development of e-commerce, businesses have proactively built information pages, linked to digital platforms and e-commerce marketplaces to promote and commercialize their products. As a result, my family's income has increased, and we sell more products than before…,” said Mr. Tran Dinh Tam from Hamlet 1, Bat Trang Commune, Gia Lam District.

Recently, ceramic businesses in Bat Trang commune have seized the opportunity of the fourth industrial revolution to strongly apply digital transformation to their operations. In particular, the AR/VR system launched on the website https://gombattrang.fairs.vn is also an important digital solution contributing to boosting tourism promotion and trade in Bat Trang. In addition, the Google Arts & Culture platform (an encyclopedia of culture and arts) has for the first time introduced the Bat Trang Ceramic Museum through numerous cultural and historical stories in both Vietnamese and English.

Phu Xuyen District is known as the "land of a hundred crafts," with over 40 recognized traditional craft villages. The district also boasts four craft village tourism destinations recognized by Hanoi City: Van Tu tailoring, Chuyen My mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquerware, Phu Yen leather shoes, and Phu Tuc rattan and bamboo weaving. The strong application of e-commerce, especially livestreaming sales, has created a breakthrough in product consumption. Currently, e-commerce revenue is increasing significantly, making the district a shining example of digital transformation in the craft village trade of the capital. Specifically, while e-commerce revenue for the entire district reached approximately 147 billion VND in 2023, declared revenue from business households is expected to reach approximately 1,100 billion VND in 2024. Notably, in the first three months of 2025, e-commerce revenue in the district is projected to exceed 600 billion VND.

According to Nguyen Trong Vinh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Xuyen District, the strengths of many famous craft villages specializing in woodworking, rattan weaving, and garment making, with guaranteed product quality and diverse designs, have built trust among customers. However, to facilitate consumer access to goods and help households improve their online sales skills, the district has organized numerous training courses for thousands of people in craft villages on online sales skills on social media and e-commerce platforms. Initially, Phu Xuyen provided each commune and town with a set of tools to help people easily access livestreaming sales. In the future, relevant departments and agencies will continue to work alongside the people in diversifying products and implementing regulations to generate more profits through e-commerce activities.

The development of information and communication technology and digital platforms has helped many businesses in traditional craft villages to have more opportunities to reach new customers; to be proactive in terms of time and space in business; to optimize online advertising; to change management thinking to bring about business efficiency; and to increase product competition among manufacturers. Conversely, customers can access many online shopping applications at the same time when choosing products and enhance their experience through promotional services and customer care.

Along with the advantages, the process of applying digital platforms in online business today also faces many difficulties. According to Ha Sy Lam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dan Hoa commune (Thanh Oai district): The commune has the Canh Hoach and Tien Lu craft villages, famous for their bamboo bird cages, with each product valued from several hundred thousand to tens of millions of dong. However, online business activities cause many people and businesses to face certain difficulties such as: The online sales process often involves fierce competition. Buyers cannot directly view products, affecting customer trust. There is a potential risk of leakage of personal information for both buyers and sellers. Goods are easily left unsold if there is no good business strategy and product diversification...

According to Nguyen The Hiep, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, Hanoi is actively implementing solutions to support and promote the widespread application of e-commerce in businesses and the community; including supporting the expansion of markets for traditional craft products and handicrafts. Units are also strengthening the dissemination of information and training in e-commerce skills for citizens and businesses; encouraging entrepreneurship and the application of e-commerce in production and business activities…

According to the recently approved master plan for the development of craft villages, Hanoi aims to have at least 80% of its workforce trained, retrained, or receive advanced training in basic information technology by 2025-2030. Hanoi will also support the digitalization of craft village products and the development of Hanoi craft village vlogs. Furthermore, to apply digital transformation to business, craft villages need to improve the quality of their workforce with e-commerce skills; grasp new technologies, invest in and integrate technological applications into production, business, and customer access; thereby contributing to improving product quality and expanding markets for craft village products domestically and internationally.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chuyen-doi-so-o-lang-nghe-truyen-thong-post870409.html