Nhan Dan, Vietnam
Nhan Dan – Of the currently some 2,000 trade villages in Vietnam, 713 villages are specialising in rattan and bamboo products which are considered to be handicraft products of high export value.
Last year, total export turnover from these products reached US$200 million, creating jobs for millions of local people. However, these villages are currently facing major difficulties in materials, capital as well as management and high skilled workers. Hai Phuong tells more.
Vietnam-made rattan and bamboo products have not only been sold on the domestic market but also been exported to many countries and territories all over the world with export turnover increasing year-on-year. In 2000, the figure was only US$70 million. Seven years later, it was US$200 million. Rattan and bamboo products have been listed among the most important export items among those Vietnam-made handicrafts that have been exported.
Phu Vinh trade village in Phu Nghia commune, Chuong My district, Hanoi, specialising in rattan and bamboo products, was established 400 years ago. All households in Phu Nghia are embarked on producing rattan and bamboo products.
Made-in Phu Vinh rattan and bamboo products are famous for their delicate beauty, plus the special anti-worm techniques which help preserve the products’ long life as well as its colours. Many households in Phu Vinh commune have established their own companies and boost their exports. Last year, total revenue from rattan and bamboo products in Phu Vinh was over VND 40 billion.
One of the difficulties that Phu Nghia trade village is now facing is the shortage and high prices of materials while the export market are competitive. In addition, many rattan and bamboo product processing and export companies find it hard to borrow capital from banks to develop production.
Other difficulties include the shortage of high skilled workers, the management level of household enterprises in the trade village, the weakness in fine art capacity.
According to the Institute of Policies and Strategies for Agricultural and Rural Development, about 35-40% of rattan and bamboo product enterprises are facing the risk of closing due to shortage of materials. To cope with this, domestic rattan and bamboo products villages have had to import rattan and bamboo from regional countries including Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia with higher prices.
Therefore, it is important to work out a planning for centralised areas specialising in planting rattan and bamboo to provide materials for the rattan and bamboo product trade villages, as well as other sectors.
The issue of capital is another difficulty for rattan and bamboo product enterprises. Trade villages need favourable credit policies so that enterprises in the village can get easier access to banking loans for production expansion.
Rattan and bamboo product trade villages are also in need of State’s help to develop their vocational training, increase management level, apply scientific and technological advances and build trademarks and market development.
By Hai Phuong