In the past, Da Nang boasted many time-honoured traditional craft villages, including the bamboo knitting in Yen Ne Village, and the making of traditional conical hats in La Bong Village and sedge mats in Cam Ne Village, all in Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Tien Commune, the making of bamboo and rattan wicker baskets in Phuoc Hung Village in Hoa Nhon Commune, the cultivation and processing of green tea in Phu Thuong Village in Hoa Son Commune, the growing and processing of tobacco and the making of ‘banh kho me’ (dried sesame seed cakes) in Cam Le District, the making of rice paper in Hoa Vang District’s Tuy Loan Village, the making of Nam O fish sauce, and the knitting of coracles in Son Tra District’s Tho Quang Ward.

The making of sedge mats in Cam Ne Village is in danger of disappearing. Photo: T.YEN

However, many of them have disappeared whilst others are at risk of dying out such as the making of sedge mats in Cam Ne Village with only one household,  and the making of ‘banh kho me’ in Cam Le District and rice paper in Tuy Loan Village with 6 households.

The main reasons behind the reduction of traditional craft village numbers in the city are seem to be that the city has witnessed a rapid urbanisation in recent years, and there are no consumption markets for traditional products.

Besides, traditional crafts in the city are facing a severe lack of skilled craftsmen as most artisans are over the hill and young people are not interested in traditional crafts.

Last but not least, a lack of capital and the slowness in model improvement result in difficulties in maintaining and developing traditional crafts.

In an effort to preserve and develop traditional crafts in the city, the municipal Department of Culture and Sports has actively made suggestions to the local authorities about the issuance of projects on preserving and promoting the value of national cultural heritage during the 2013 - 2015, 2016 -2020 and 2021 - 2025 periods, and one on preserving and promoting the heritage values of the Nam O fish sauce making village associated with the local tourism development.

The specific contents of projects have greatly contributed to protect the value of tangible and intangible cultural heritages in the city, and strongly encourage local authorities and the community to join efforts in the preservation and promotion of heritage values.

For instance, under the project on preserving and promoting the value of national cultural heritage during the 2021-2025 period, top priority will be given to continuing to carry out the tasks of preserving and promoting the value of the intangible cultural heritages that have been included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages, as well as introducing heritage values to younger generations to prevent traditional crafts from dying out.

Meanwhile, the Da Nang government, in March, 2020, approved a project for preserving and promoting the heritage values of the Nam O fish sauce making craft associated with the local tourism development.

The intention of the project was to develop Nam O fish sauce into a unique product showing off the city’s distinctive marine culture and generating more socio-economic benefits, especially marine economy.

Under the project, initially, local authorities are focusing on encouraging family-run production establishments to produce a total of 200,000 - 250,000 liters of fish sauce per year, and to improve the quality and design of packaging labels.

Heed is paid to facilitating craft village associations and family-run production establishments involved in making fish sauce to join fairs and exhibitions inside and outside the city and participate in the OCOP programme, as well as completing the restoration, embellishment and preservation of religious sites associated with craft villages in Nam O.

As for the ‘banh kho me’ and Tuy Loan rice paper making crafts, the Department plans to prepare for necessary dossiers to seek recognition from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for national intangible cultural heritages, and to expand consumption markets for these craft products.

Director of the Museum of Da Nang Huynh Dinh Quoc Thien underlined a must-do for the city to develop traditional craft villages linked with the tourism industry, with a focus on turning the craft villages into attractive tourist attractions for both locals and visitors so as to protect traditional craft villages from being danger of disappearing.

He, moreover, highlighted the vital role of the municipal Department of Science - Technology and the local Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in encouraging the community and relevant manufacturing establishments to enhance product designs and quality, giving active support for production processes, and promoting the transmission of skills and know-how to the next generations.

Reporting by TIEU YEN - Translating by M.DUNG