VIETRADE - Vietnam, having a long tradition in artistic crafts, offers a comprehensive range of art and craft products: woodcrafts; bamboo; rattan, rush and leaves; ceramics; embroidery and lace; textiles; metal arts; handmade paper; stonework; horns, glass and in combination; and fine art.

Irrespective of the economic slowdown, handicraft exports of Vietnam would go beyond $1 billion in the year 2010, hoped experts, as it has recently increased by 20 % per year. This makes handicraft products to be one of the top 10 items with the highest export growth rates.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has recently approved a plan for exporting handicrafts for the 2010-2015 period, aiming to reach a turnover of US$1.6 billion by the end of 2015.

Under the plan, the export value of rattan and bamboo products is expected to reach US$530 million, accounting for 33% of the total; pottery and porcelain is targeted to be US$480 million (30%); weaving, US$270 million (17%); art objects and wooden household items, US$130 million (8%) and other groups together should make up US$190 million, accounting for the remaining 12%.

To meet these targets, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has offered specific incentives including building and developing stable and sustainable zones for natural raw materials; developing traditional handicraft products using low-cost technologies; and helping craftsmen improve their skills through training.

It is also boosting trade promotion abroad, especially in large and potential markets such as the US, the EU, Japan, Russia, Australia, Latin America and Northern Europe.

Vietnam’s Bamboo and Rattan products and Ceramic products export revenue in 2009 – First 9 months of 2011 (million US$)

(Source: General Department of Vietnam Customs)

Vietnam’s export of Bamboo and Rattan products and Ceramic products by 10 main export markets (2010)