Preserving traditional craft villages for sustainable livelihood improvement

Traditional craft villages are living museums of unique cultural values, crystalizing the skillful craftsmanship and long standing indigenous knowledge. Preserving these villages while protecting environment and natural landscapes forms a solid foundation for developing community-based tourism for sustainable livelihood improvement. In this way, craft villages not only become tourist attractions but also serve as spaces for cultural education, hands-on experience, and community connection, creating a competitive advantage for tourism in Cao Bang. Recognizing the cultural and economic potential of traditional craft villages, Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark Management Board has been proactively working with local authorities and communities to implement conservation and development initiatives aligned with sustainability principles.

In Dia Tren traditional paper production village (Quang Uyen commune, Cao Bang province), advised by the Geopark Management Board, villagers have not only preserved traditional papermaking techniques but also improved product designs, enhanced quality, and diversified paper products such as paper fans, calligraphy paintings, notebooks, and paper flowers. These products feature eco-friendly packaging with appealing aesthetics and practical value. Notably, Dia Tren paper products were selected as souvernirs for delegates attending the 8^th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium held in Cao Bang in 2024, helping to promote the image of traditional craft villages and spread the cultural values of Non nuoc Cao Bang to international friends. Other traditional craft villages, such as Phja Thap incense village, Pac Rang forging village (Quang Uyen commune), Lung Ri yin-yang roof tile village (Hanh Phuc commune), and Bo To traditional sugar production village (Phuc Hoa commune), are also being revitalized. These villages are gradually integrating production with tourism experiences, thereby expanding livelihood opportunities for locals and contributing to the preservation of traditional cultures.

Mrs. Nong Thi Xanh, a Geopark partner from Dia Tren paper village, shared:
“The companionship of local authorities and the Geopark Management Board in preserving traditional crafts has inspired community pride, raised awareness of cultural preservation, and opened new livelihood opportunities associated with sustainable tourism.”

Alongside traditional craft preservation, the Geopark Management Board also focuses on advising communities to promote other aspects of local culutres such as customs, festivals, landscapes, and architecture. Through training sessions, surveys, and experience exchange visits, locals have become increasingly aware of their role in maintaining traditional crafts and building sustainable livelihoods. Consequently, more experiential tourism activities have been launched, offering visitors opportunities to participate in the traditional production process, helping to increase local income and boost tourism appeal. The Management Board also strengthens craft village promotion through various media platforms, domestic and oversea trade fairs and events, including the International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks, Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium, Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival, and VITM Hanoi International Tourism Fair.

Thanks to close coordination among the Geopark Management Board, local authorities, and communities, many traditional craft villages have witnessed positive changes in both appearance and development orientation. Increasingly, young people are choosing to return to their hometowns to carry on their ancestral crafts, helping preserve and promote local cultural values. Mr. Vi Tran Thuy, Director of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark Management Board, stated that “The coordination between authorities, social organizations, and the community-centered approach has paved the way for sustainable livelihood development associated with tourism in traditional craft villages. This is a clear example of harmonizing heritage preservation and adapting to modern context.”

In the coming time, the Geopark Management Board will continue to advise and support to expand the innitiative of preserving heritage associated with community livelihoods to more villages, thereby promoting green and sustainable tourism in line with the orientation of the Global Geoparks Network.

Each handcrafted product and story from these traditional craft villages not only preserves the memory of cultural heritage but also serves as a bridge spreading the values of Non nuoc Cao Bang’s heritage to the world. With the dedication and persistent efforts of local authorities and communities, these villages are being revitalized, affirming the distinctive cultural imprint of Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark on both national and international tourism maps.