Lao Cai targets 75% of craft villages linked to rural tourism

The Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee recently issued a Plan on the conservation and development of craft villages for the 2026-2030 period, aiming to preserve traditional cultural values associated with sustainable rural economic development.

The plan is built on Government regulations and the National Target Program, while inheriting the results of previous periods. Promulgating the plan demonstrates Lao Cai province's determination to preserve cultural identity, enhance production capacity, create jobs and increase income for residents, linked with environmental protection and new rural construction.

Accordingly, in the 2026-2030 period, Lao Cai province will focus on maintaining and developing 23 craft villages, 19 traditional craft villages and 24 traditional crafts. Simultaneously, it will restore 32 craft villages and 20 faded traditional crafts and orient the development of 12 craft villages linked with tourism, contributing to increasing economic value and promoting local culture.

Lao Cai province targets 75% of craft villages to be linked with rural tourism, and 70% of craft villages to operate efficiently; about 80% of workers will be trained and upskilled. Additionally, at least 15% of craft villages will have products with intellectual property protection, 40% will have products meeting OCOP standards and 100% of production facilities will meet environmental protection requirements.

To achieve these goals, Lao Cai province is implementing a synchronous range of solutions such as perfecting mechanisms and policies; preserving and developing traditional crafts; developing new craft villages linked with tourism; training human resources; promoting trade and brand building; applying science and technology, digital transformation and supporting the development of raw material areas.

Notably, Lao Cai province emphasizes developing craft villages along the value chain, strengthening linkages with enterprises to expand consumption markets. Craft villages are encouraged to innovate products and improve quality while preserving and promoting cultural values and traditional festivals.

The plan also clearly assigns responsibilities to departments, agencies and localities. The Lao Cai Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment is the standing agency, presiding over the implementation; relevant departments and branches will coordinate to execute contents on trade promotion, science and technology application, human resource training and tourism development. Local authorities are responsible for organizing the implementation, linking craft village development with environmental protection, infrastructure investment and job creation.

With a specific system of goals and solutions, the plan is expected to unleash the potential and strengths of craft villages, contributing to preserving traditional cultural values, increasing income for residents and promoting the rural economic development of Lao Cai province in the new period.