In practice, developing craft villages helps make effective use of local resources, drive economic restructuring and raise incomes, while contributing to the preservation of national cultural values. Notably, amid the ongoing digital transformation, e-commerce is creating opportunities for craft villages to modernise their operations, enhance competitiveness and respond flexibly to market changes.
China is among the leading countries in applying e-commerce to promote rural economies and transform business models for small-scale producers. It has successfully developed “e-commerce villages”, where technology platforms, local authorities and producer communities work closely together, enabling businesses to sell directly to consumers through e-commerce platforms and gradually shift from traditional trading methods to digital channels.
Furthermore, an AliResearch report published in 2021 showed that e-commerce had also become a springboard for the emergence of new rural industrial clusters in China, fostering closer links between production, commerce, tourism and local culture.
Japan has also achieved considerable success in using e-commerce to revitalise traditional craft villages amid declining domestic consumer demand, an ageing artisan workforce and limited access to international customers.
In particular, cross-border e-commerce has become a bridge connecting Japanese products with global markets. According to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), cross-border online purchases by Chinese consumers exceeded 2.6 trillion yen in 2024, up 8.5% from the previous year. This demonstrates that digital platforms are becoming essential springboards for traditional craft producers to overcome geographical barriers and reduce their reliance on conventional sales channels.
The experiences of China and Japan show that e-commerce can only effectively support traditional craft villages when developed in tandem with digital infrastructure, logistics, human resources and government support policies.
These countries have not only expanded sales channels through digital platforms but also built comprehensive e-commerce ecosystems to enhance competitiveness and increase the value of traditional craft products.
To give Viet Nam’s traditional craft villages fresh impetus, it is therefore necessary to establish an integrated e-commerce ecosystem encompassing digital platforms, electronic payments, logistics and support for digital transformation.
At the same time, strengthening the digital capabilities of craft village producers through training in online business, digital marketing and brand development is essential. The State must play a stronger enabling role in product standardisation, trade promotion and market connectivity.
Crucially, digitalisation must go hand in hand with cultural preservation and sustainable development through transparent traceability, closer links with craft village tourism and the promotion of local cultural identity.
Such an integrated approach will provide a solid foundation for enhancing the value of traditional craft products, strengthening competitiveness and promoting the sustainable development of Viet Nam’s traditional craft villages amid digital transformation and international integration.
