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Fair Trade Experiences in Cambodia, Vietnam and Timor Leste

Vietnam

Seeking New Markets for Traditional Artisans

Presented by Tran Tuyet Lan
Craft Link General Manager

CRAFT LINK is a Vietnamese organization under Vietnamese management. A steering committee comprised of repsesentatives of NGOs, INGOs and businesses in Vietnam oversees and advises CraftLink. It is divided into two arms: CraftLink Development (CLD) and CraftLink Business (CLB). Craft Link Development is an NGO that helps craft producers, specially the poor, to improve their livelihoods sustainably through craft; and helps to revive and promote traditional culture and skills. Craft Link Business is a (not - for - profit) craft business that assists CLD by finding markets for craft producer groups; educating the public about producers and their products; and providing financial support to development activities of CLD.

The producers of Craft Link comprise 55 groups from all over Vietnam, classified as: 45% ethnic minorities; 25% disadvantaged groups; 30% traditional villagers. Craft Link uses the profit from business by 1) investing in the development activities of the new handicraft projects; and, 2) providing small loans for ethnic groups who need small capital for buying materials or production tools.

Craft Link field coordinators and designers provide training in management, bookeeping, costing and pricing, marketing, design, product development and final inishing; quality control and packaging. In terms of design, producers and Craftlink designers work closely together to develop new products. The design process begins with thorough research into local craft traditions. In creative workshops producers develop a variety of new products utilizing traditional patterns and techniques and experimenting with different colors and materials. Craft Link projects have helped Vietnam’s artisans to revive traditional techniques of making wooden puppets, bamboo furniture and silk textiles.

Craft Link practices Fair Trade. Sales are carried out by retail (through Craft Link shops); wholesale (to other shops in Vietnam); consignment (to big hotels in Vietnam) and export (mainly to Europe and the Americas). Through a range of public events, Craft Link aims to boost public awareness about ethnic minority culture and to increase recognition of the skills and accomplishment of ethnic minority women.