Vietnamese handicraft products are being exported to more than 100 countries in the world, said Duong Dinh Giam, director of the Industrial and Strategic Study Institute under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, at a seminar in Da Lat on October 5.
The seminar was being held to discuss the various world markets open for Vietnamese handicraft products that are made in central and highland provinces of Vietnam.
Vietnamese handicrafts and furniture products are being exported to 100 nations and territories in the world, including traditional markets such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the US and EU countries.
Vietnamese handicrafts are made from materials like rattan, bamboo, leaves, porcelain, lacquer, and cloisonné, with some exploiting fabric embroidery.
Total turnover of art and craft exports in the first eight months of the year reached US$1.1 billion and expected to touch $1.6 billion by year end.
However, the weakness of the Vietnamese handicraft sector is that businesses are pursuing backward technologies and there is no brand development strategy for any products.
Participants at the seminar said that the government must develop handicraft villages in such a way as to connect them with tourism programs, help in creating brands and adopt more environmental protection policies.
