Hanoi (VNA) –The annual export value of Vietnam’s craft industry was estimated at about 1.7billion USD, according to the Vietnam Association of Craft Villages.
Vietnam is now home toaround 5,411 craft villages, including 1,864 traditional craft villages, with115 recognised traditional crafts. The industry employs approximately 1.5million workers.
The number of crafthouseholds in rural areas grew 8.8 – 9.8 percent per year and production valuegained 15 percent per year in average.
Experts voicedconcerns over the fact that many craft products are no longer available or havetheir brands stolen due to little attention paid to branding, marketing andintellectual property protection.
The National Office ofIntellectual Property of Vietnam is making active moves to guide craft villageson how to register for a collective brand and build geographicalindications.-VNA