Ethnic minorities and craft (2008-2013)

Valuing the know-how of Hmong women

Located in northern Vietnam, Ha Giang province is one of the poorest in the country. The majority of the population is made up of ethnic minorities whose main activity is agriculture.

Initiated in 2008 in the villages of Lung Tam and Can Ty, the Minorités Ethniques et Artisanat project involved developing income-generating activities as part of a responsible value chain. The project focused on the Hmong minority, where women have mastered ancient handicraft weaving techniques.

Coordinated by two Vietnamese NGOs (Handicraft Research and Promotion Centre and Hadeva) and the district's Women's Union, the project has helped to preserve traditional know-how while enabling weavers to strengthen their technical and organizational skills. Two production and sales cooperatives have also been created around the values of the social economy. The women have been put in touch with buyers for commercial purposes, which has contributed to the development of tourism in the region.