Traditional fishing gear reaches far
Established in the 1980s with a few small-scale production households, Thom Rom net weaving village, Thoi Long ward (Can Tho city) has now developed with more than 40 business establishments, creating jobs for thousands of workers in the locality and neighboring areas.
Ms. Dinh Thi Dieu Hien - Deputy Head of Tan Loi 2 area - said: It is the skill and creativity of the people that has helped fishing gear products such as nets, nets, solos, and fishing gear (fishing gear) to be increasingly improved, improved in quality and trusted by many people. Currently, the products of craft villages are not only consumed locally but also spread to many provinces and cities across the country.
Ms. Nguyen Thuy An - owner of Trung Tien facility - said that the facility specializes in the production of nets and solutes, and the buying and selling activities take place all year round, the busiest from June to September of the lunar calendar, when the flood season in the West is high. Currently, the facility exports goods to the Western provinces and customers in Nghe An and Da Nang, while expanding the market, looking for customers in the Central region.
A support for workers
The development of Thom Rom net weaving village has created flexible jobs, suitable for the characteristics of rural labor. Many households receive processing materials at home, taking advantage of their free time to increase their income.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh in Thoi Long ward (Can Tho city) - a worker - said: The work of weaving fishing gear requires patience and high technique, both ensuring aesthetics, durability and effective exploitation. In return, with a stable income, he currently earns an additional 200,000 - 300,000 VND per day in addition to the income from 1 hectare of fruit trees.
Similarly, Mr. Tran Van Chau and his wife (in Co Do commune, Can Tho city) have also been in the profession for more than 10 years. Currently, the family has a stable income of over 600,000 VND per day. He also traveled more than 20km to the fishing village to receive materials to distribute to nearly 30 households in the hamlet for processing.
"Thom Rom craft village not only brings income to each household but also creates a sustainable "work network", helping many people feel secure in their profession, while retaining workers to stay in their hometown, without having to leave their homeland to beg for help," Mr. Chau shared.
According to Mr. Huynh Thanh Nhanh - Chairman of Thoi Long Ward People's Committee (Can Tho City), the craft village currently creates jobs for over 1,500 people, considered an effective poverty reduction model. Some facilities also accept processing orders from abroad.
To develop craft villages, Thoi Long ward is developing a plan to replicate the model, encouraging establishments to establish cooperatives or enterprises. At the same time, the ward supports product promotion on online platforms and organizes experiential tours, both creating new sources of income and promoting traditional crafts to tourists across the country.
