There was a time when numerous traditional craft villages across Dak Lak province faced the risk of disappearing as handcrafted products struggled to compete with industrial goods, young people left their villages for jobs elsewhere, and the artisans were getting older. However, the development of community tourism have opened up opportunities for these craft villages to both preserve cultural identity while generating sustainable livelihoods for local residents.

Artisan H’Yam Bkrong, who is deeply committed to preserving the traditional brocade weaving craft of the Ede people in Tong Ju village (Ea Kao ward), shared that due to modern fashion and the development of the textile along with garment industry, brocade garments has gradually become out of daily life. More than two decades ago, she boldly established the Tong Bong Brocade Weaving Cooperative, yet products were not widely sold. Over past three years, with the community tourism development, the traditional brocade weaving craft in Tong Ju village has truly revived.

Artisan H’Yam Bkrong (far right) introducing brocade products woven by cooperative members.

“Visiting and experiencing community tourism in Tong Ju village, tourists not only learn about the Ede brocade weaving traditions but also receive direct guidance from artisans on each weaving step to create fabrics, scarves, bags, etc. This experience has created interest as well as attracted growing numbers of tourists,” shared Ms. H’Yam.

In O Loan commune, the centuries-old Phu Tan sedge mat weaving village is also gradually emerging as a unique experiential tourism destination along provincial coastal area.

A new day in Phu Tan craft village begins on a sedge field of about 30 hectares, where people busily harvest sedges to split, dye, and dry them for materials to produce mats while serving the experiential needs of tourists. Over 200 families with approximately 500 workers here still preserve the craft daily through diligence alongside skill passed down across generations.

International tourists experiencing mat weaving and taking photos with artisans in Phu Tan sedge mat weaving village

Visiting Phu Tan mat-making village, tourists can walk inside lush green sedge fields, listen to locals tell stories about the craft, witness firsthand each step in making a traditional mat, and even try weaving mats themselves.

The mat-making village not only offers visitors demonstrations but also proactively diversified products tailored for tourism, opening up new avenues for the craft village’s development. Mr. Nguyen Anh Quan, Director of An Cu Mat Production and Service Cooperative, said: “When recognizing the increasing demand for souvenirs combined with experiences from tourists, the cooperative innovated and launched many handcrafted products made from sedge to serve tourists, such as handbags, bags, hats, cushions, keychains, etc.”

According to Mr. Quan, combining the preservation of traditional crafts with experiential tourism development not only raises product value but also creates more jobs together with income for local communities, while encouraging the younger generation to return and engage with the craft.

Translated by TRINH THUY