Hanoi (VNA) – Online sale has supported craft villages inthe capital city of Hanoi in increasing revenue, reducing costs, and im🎀proving their competitive edge. Therefore, authorities need to 𒐪pen rational policiesto encourage the development of e-commerce in this area.

Bat Trang commune is now home to 195 businesses and 960 productionhouseholds in pottery, and 750 households offering tourism services, many of whom havepopularised their products and services on social networks, e-commerceplatforms, according to Dang Dinh Tuc, head of the representative board ofGiang Cao pottery village. He said e-commerce is accounting for some 26% of the village’s total sales. Local per capita income reaches 86.54 million VND (nearly 3,600 USD), he said,adding the village is looking to provide its OCOP products and tourism servicesvia QR codes. Meanwhile, Pham Khac Ha, President of Van Phuc silk weaving association in HaDong district, said besides maintaining their brick-to-mortar stores, thevillage has put up their silk products for sale on social networks ande-commerce platforms such as Shopee and Lazada. Several production establishments such as Lan Son, Phuong Silk, Phuc Hung, andPhong Thu Silk create their own social networking community to seek materialsand promote trade. Besides, they have capitalised on online platforms to selltheir products which are all marked with “Van Phuc Silk” brand. Ton Gia Hoa, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Craft Villages Association, said theCOVID-19 pandemic has pushed more shoppers online and fuel development ofonline sales, helping customers get access to a wide range of products mucheasier than the traditional channel, and producers expand market and increasevalues for the goods.   However, local artisans also run into difficulties when selling their productsonline. According to insiders, moving to e-commerce requires artisans to havebetter business strategies and management skills, and improve skills forworkers, among others. Nguyen Nhu Chinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Craft Villages Association, saidcompetent authorities should work to raise public awareness of e-commerceservices, and give more support to craft villages in improving online sales andmarketing skills. Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Tong, director of the institute for research andapplication of fine arts in craft products, said craft villages shouldunderstand the regulations on online business, including e-commerceregistration, tax obligation, and restricted items./.