On the morning of January 4, at Ngu Ha Vien, the project “Reviving Chuon village traditional scroll (lien) making craft” was officially launched to the public, marking an emotional milestone in the journey to rediscover and restore a part of cultural memory that was once on the brink of extinction.

Among the approximately 70 traditional villages living on practicing crafts in Hue, the craft of making parasols is a special one. Beyond the meticulous craftsmanship required in the crafting process, this craft is also special because the finished products carry profound symbolic value in the local cultural life. Far exceeding their practical function of shielding from sun and rain, the parasols serve as markers of order, ritual, and reverence.

Going through many generations, the traditional drum-making craft of the Co Tu people has gradually faded, remaining only in the memories of a few elders. In Doi Village, Khe Tre Commune, artisan and village elder Vuong Van Cua is one of the last people still preserving the ancient secrets of making traditional Co Tu drums.

Unable to rely solely on love for the craft or pride in the past, Hue’s craft villages must step beyond traditional pathways toward a new journey: Transforming production thinking, applying technology, embracing green transition, elevating quality, and telling cultural stories in more modern ways.

With the development trends of the new era, many craft villages have fallen into decline, with fragmented production, a lack of capital, and outdated technology. These difficulties are major barriers that cause traditional crafts to lose their place in today's socio-economic life gradually.

For centuries, the land of Hue has been renowned for the skillful hands of its artisans. This region is a place not only preserves the cultural heritage of the imperial court, but also serves as the cradle that maintains and develops hundreds of unique traditional craft villages. However, in the face of global integration trends, Hue’s craft villages are confronting numerous challenges.

Artisans from Thanh Lieu craft village (Hai Duong) have recently given a performance and recounted the journey of reviving and preserving the traditional art of woodblock printing passed down by their ancestors.

Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village - the cradle of traditional paper flower craftsmanship - is not only a place that creates vibrant blossoms, but also a space where the essence of spiritual culture, skilled hands, and a deep love for national heritage are preserved and nurtured.

Phuoc Tich is an ancient village located in Phong Hoa Ward, Phong Dien Town, Hue City. The village was established in 1470. Though small, Phuoc Tich boasts 12 river wharfs, symbolizing the 12 founding families who first settled the land. Along with the founding of the village, migrants from Đàng Ngoài (Outer Realm) who came to this land to make a living also brought with them the traditional craft of pottery.

More than just creating a space to promote and support craft villages on-site and bring Hue’s specialties farther afield, the young founders of Dac san Kinh Do – Songcentre Hue (Imperial Specialties – Hue Living Center) brand also embed a story in each product and apply technology to production, with the aspiration to fulfill the mission of inheriting and renewing traditional crafts so that Hue’s craft village brands can take off and expand their markets.