I. Understanding Tien Giang’s Craft Villages
A. Overview of Craft Villages in Tien Giang
Tien Giang, a province in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, is known for its traditional craft villages like Bang Buong. These villages are important for preserving local culture and providing jobs to many families. The artisans in these villages use natural materials to create beautiful products, which not only showcase their creativity but also attract tourists and support sustainable development.
B. Key Challenges Facing Craft Villages
Despite their cultural importance, Tien Giang’s craft villages face several serious challenges that threaten their future:
- Market Access and Competition: Many craft villages struggle with outdated designs and lack modern marketing methods to reach wider audiences, making it hard to compete in today’s market both locally and internationally. They have difficulty adapting their products to changing consumer tastes and effectively promoting their crafts in a global economy.
The workers in the craft villages are mainly old workers - Scarcity of Raw Materials: There is a shortage of local materials needed for crafting in Tien Giang province. This problem has worsened due to disruptions in the supply chain, such as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical issues. This scarcity increases production costs and threatens the continuation of traditional craft methods.
- Limited Technology and Product Preservation: Many villages lack the technology needed to preserve products effectively, relying instead on traditional methods that may not prevent spoilage or damage well. This limited use of modern technology affects their ability to meet market demands and improve efficiency.
These challenges have significant impacts on the craft communities in Tien Giang:
- Declining Income and Livelihoods: The average income of craft workers in the province has dropped by 15% over the past three years (according to the Tien Giang Provincial Statistical Yearbook 2023). This decline, along with the perceived instability of traditional crafts, is discouraging young people from continuing in these professions.
- Loss of Cultural Heritage: With fewer young people staying in craft villages and the difficulties faced by current artisans, there is a serious risk of losing valuable cultural traditions and skills. If these challenges are not addressed, there is a danger that these unique crafts and their cultural heritage could disappear (based on a 2023 study by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Tien Giang).
To protect and revitalize these craft villages, it is important to address these challenges with a coordinated effort involving government agencies, local communities, and the private sector.
C. Why the Capstone Project is Important
Recognizing these pressing issues, the 2024 DG9+ Glocal Capstone Design project initiated by Mekonglink serves as a pivotal step toward revitalizing Tien Giang’s craft villages. This project is part of the larger ESG Living Lab initiative aimed at fostering economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The capstone project focuses on empowering local artisans through innovative solutions and collaborative efforts, ensuring the preservation and modernization of traditional crafts while enhancing economic stability.
II. Tackling Local Challenges Through the Capstone Design Program
A. Identifying Problems
As part of the DG9+ 2024 Global Capstone Design Program, student teams and local experts focused on identifying key problems in craft villages like Bang Buong:
- Damage from Humidity: Traditional materials used in crafts can easily be damaged by moisture, reducing their quality and durability.
- Outdated Marketing: Many craft villages do not use modern marketing, which limits their ability to reach more customers and grow their business.
- Low Durability of Products: While traditional crafting methods are valuable culturally, they often don’t meet current durability standards, especially for international markets.
B. Creative Solutions to Overcome These Challenges
To tackle these problems, the teams suggested several solutions:
- Improving Product Durability:
- Eco-Friendly Silicone Dyes: Use silicone dyes that are affordable and repel water, helping products last longer.
- Ecological Waterproofing Agents: Apply eco-friendly, fluorine-free waterproofing solutions like WSA-01, which protect against moisture without harming the environment.
- Enhancing Quality Control:
- Strict Quality Control: Implement strict quality measures throughout the production process, using waterproofing techniques to maintain the natural quality of materials and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
- Expanding Market Reach:
- Global Marketing Strategy: Conduct market research to find countries interested in organic, eco-friendly products. This helps craft villages adapt their products for international markets.
- Focus on Sustainability: Emphasize the use of organic materials and sustainable practices to position craft villages as leaders in eco-friendly production, appealing to consumers interested in ethical fashion.
These strategies are designed to improve both the quality and marketability of craft products, ensuring their long-term success.
III. Benefits Brought to the Tien Giang Community
A. Economic Empowerment
This project helps set the stage for economic growth in craft villages like Bang Buong. By identifying local challenges and experimenting with new designs and marketing ideas, the project opens up new market opportunities. However, continued progress depends on the active involvement of artisans, businesses, and community members to further develop these strategies and reach broader audiences.
B. Preserving and Modernizing Crafts
Even in its early stages, the project focuses on maintaining cultural heritage while modernizing crafts to suit today’s markets. By working with designers and researchers, the project helps create products that meet current trends in sustainable crafts and ethical fashion. Achieving this goal requires ongoing support from the community and local stakeholders.
C. Social and Educational Benefits
The project also aims to provide social and educational benefits by making traditional crafts more economically viable, attracting younger generations to learn these valuable skills. Collaboration with schools and community leaders is key to organizing workshops and training that equip artisans with new knowledge and skills, fostering a more innovative and resilient community.
For these core values to take root, broad community participation and support from multiple stakeholders are essential to address local issues and promote sustainable development in Tien Giang’s craft villages.
IV. Moving Forward: Future Opportunities and Collaboration
A. Building on Early Successes
The initial success of the 2024 DG9+ Glocal Capstone Design project creates a foundation for future efforts to solve local issues in other craft villages across Tien Giang. Mekonglink aims to build on this success by forming new partnerships and developing projects that ensure the long-term sustainability of these traditional crafts. To achieve this, the local community must actively participate in the living lab ecosystem, helping to address their own challenges and those of other local areas.
B. Invitation to Collaborate
We encourage everyone in Tien Giang, including artisans, businesses, community leaders, and residents, to join the living lab ecosystem. Your involvement is crucial for finding solutions to local problems and promoting sustainable growth. Together, we can create innovative solutions that preserve cultural heritage and drive economic development. For more information or to get involved, please visit our website or contact us.
V. Conclusion: A New Chapter for Tien Giang’s Craft Villages
The early successes of the 2024 DG9+ Glocal Capstone Design project have set the stage for significant changes in Tien Giang’s craft villages. By inviting the community to participate in the living lab ecosystem, we aim to preserve cultural heritage while promoting economic and social development. Mekonglink is committed to supporting local communities through innovation and collaboration, helping to build a sustainable and prosperous future for Tien Giang’s artisans and the craft industry. Together, we can open a new chapter in the history of Tien Giang’s craft villages, built on community engagement and shared success.
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- ☎️ Contact information:
- Tel: (+84) 364.689.911 / (+84) 364.689.922
- Email: Technology@mekonglink.asia / Community@mekonglink.asia
