OCOP linked with craft village tourism expands livelihoods for local people

A reporter from VAN News spoke with Nguyen Dinh Hoa to clarify the city’s orientation, solutions, and expectations.

Sir, Hanoi is promoting the development of OCOP products linked with craft villages and tourism. Could you elaborate on the objectives of this direction?

Developing OCOP products associated with craft villages and tourism is not entirely new, but at this stage, Hanoi identifies it as a strategic solution. The main goal is to increase the added value of rural products while creating sustainable livelihoods for local people.

Hanoi has a rich system of traditional craft villages, with thousands of villages bearing distinct cultural identities. However, for a long time, many craft villages have developed on a small scale, lacking market linkages and not fully tapping tourism potential. Combining the OCOP program with experiential tourism not only enhances product value but also spreads cultural stories, history, and the essence of traditional crafts tied to each locality.

In your opinion, what is the key difference between the OCOP model linked with craft villages and tourism compared to traditional approaches?

The core difference lies in the value chain. Previously, craft village products were mainly sold through traders or traditional markets, with limited added value. With the OCOP model, products are standardized in terms of quality, packaging, traceability, and branding.

When linked with tourism, the value chain expands. Visitors not only purchase products but also tour production processes, experience the craft, and enjoy local culture. This increases both the length of stay and visitor spending.

More importantly, the model creates new jobs such as local tour guides, accommodation services, food services, and transportation.

What specific solutions has Hanoi implemented to realize this goal?

Hanoi is implementing multiple solutions simultaneously. First, improve mechanisms and policies, including issuing development plans for rural industries and encouraging localities to build OCOP models linked to tourism. Many craft villages previously faced limitations in transport, parking, and product display areas, making it difficult to attract tourists; the city is gradually improving these conditions.

The city also supports product quality improvement, guiding OCOP stakeholders to apply production standards, upgrade designs, register intellectual property, and build brands. This is crucial for competitiveness. At the same time, Hanoi focuses on human resource training so that artisans not only have technical skills but also communication abilities, tourism service skills, and market knowledge.

During implementation, what are the biggest challenges Hanoi is facing, and how will they be addressed?

The biggest challenge is awareness and production habits among some residents. Many households are still accustomed to traditional methods and are not ready to adapt to modern market requirements. Production remains fragmented, with weak linkages. Building a complete value chain from production to consumption remains unsynchronized in many areas.

Another issue is the environmental conditions in craft villages; some areas still face pollution, which undermines the appeal of tourism. Without proper solutions, it will be difficult to attract visitors in the long term.

As for solutions, Hanoi will strengthen communication and training so people clearly understand the benefits of participating in OCOP and tourism chains. The city encourages the formation of cooperatives and cooperative groups to link producers, increase scale, and improve competitiveness.

Hanoi is also investing in wastewater and waste treatment solutions in craft villages while requiring production facilities to strictly comply with environmental regulations. To improve human resources, the Department of Agriculture and Environment coordinates with relevant units to organize training courses covering customer reception and service management. The city will also continue developing creative design centers to support craft villages.

What are your expectations for OCOP products linked with craft villages and tourism in Hanoi’s rural economy?

The program is expected to bring clear changes, first by increasing incomes for local people and narrowing the gap between rural and urban areas. At the same time, developing OCOP products linked with craft villages helps preserve and promote traditional cultural values. With stable incomes, people will be more motivated to maintain and develop these traditions.

In addition, the program contributes to the development of advanced, model-new rural areas while protecting the environment and preserving cultural identity. In the long term, it will serve as a foundation for Hanoi to develop a sustainable, multi-value, and integrated rural economy.

Thank you so much!