Hoa Binh province is home to 11 recognised traditional craft villages which have played a crucial role in increasing income, improving living conditions, and driving economic growth in rural areas.
Residents of Mai Ha alcohol village (Mai Ha commune, Mai Chau district) examine product quality before distribution.
Among these, Mai Ha alcohol village in Mai Ha commune, Mai Chau district, stands out as a model of cultural preservation combined with economic growth. Mai Ha alcohol is not only a distinctive local beverage but also a source of pride for the community.
Mai Ha alcohol stands out for its traditional distillation, using natural underground water and a unique herbal fermentation starter made from over a dozen forest plants. This process, refined over generations, produces a crystal-clear liquor with a smooth taste and lingering sweetness.
More than 200 households in the village produce thousands of litres of alcohol annually, gaining nationwide recognition. The brand has earned a three-star rating under the national One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme, boosting its market value and distribution.
Beyond providing stable income, alcohol production preserves a cultural heritage passed down through generations. The village has become a tourist attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the process and sample the famed liquor.
According to the provincial Sub-Department of Rural Development, Hoa Binh has 11 recognised craft villages. Two of them, including Mai Ha, specialise in alcohol production, while others focus on woodwork, bamboo weaving, ceramics, and brocade textiles. These industries sustain traditional values while generating income for rural communities.
The province’s craft villages employ around 1,300 workers, with monthly wages ranging from 3 to 5 million VND. Many have developed OCOP-certified products, enhancing market appeal.
Despite their contributions, challenges persist such as unstable raw material supplies, market competition, a lack of skilled successors, and outdated production techniques. Despite the government's support policies, access to loans and trade promotion remain limited.
Hoang Van Tuan, Deputy Director of the Sub-Department of Rural Development, reaffirmed the province’s commitment to training programmes, business networking, and product promotion. Authorities are also strengthening quality control and embracing digital transformation, registering products for traceability and showcasing them on e-commerce platforms to expand markets.
These combined efforts are driving Hoa Binh’s craft villages forward, contributing to the rural areas' development.
Hoa Binh province’s economy posted an impressive Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate of 12.67% in the first quarter of 2025, representing a 12.76% year-on-year increase, the highest rate recorded since the beginning of the current tenure, according to the provincial Statistics Office. This robust growth reflects years of strategic groundwork and sets a strong foundation for the province’s annual growth target of over 10%.
With a focus on cash crop farming with science - technology application and brand building, Lac Thuy district is gradually increasing production value, improving people's life quality, and laying the foundation for sustainable socio-economic development.
In recent years, the economic development model "Hoa Binh Earthworm Farm” run by Mr. Bui Van Dang in Co Giua Hamlet, My Thanh Commune (Lac Son district) has not only brought stable economic value but it is also environmentally friendly, helping to protect and reduce pollution, contributing to the construction of a green and sustainable agriculture.
Dao Village’s honey – a product certified with a 3-star OCOP (One Commune One Product) rating by Thong Nhat Agricultural Cooperative in Dao Village (Hoa Binh City) – is highly regarded by consumers for its quality, richness, and variety in packaging. The distinctively sweet taste of Dao Village’s honey leaves a lasting impression on anyone who has tried it.
In alignment with Project No. 07-DA/TU, issued by the Hoa Binh provincial Party Committee on November 1, 2021, Lac Thuy district has actively promoted investment and supported the sustainable development of its industrial and handicraft sectors during the 2021–2025 period. Alongside this, the district has remained committed to preserving and revitalising traditional craft villages.
Located in the northern part of Lac Thuy district, with a temperate climate and fertile soil, Phu Thanh commune has great potential and advantages in growing tea. The long-standing experience, combined with strict adherence to organic farming practices in the tea gardens, ensures that the dried tea products from Phu Thanh and Lac Thuy as a whole are sold out immediately upon production, providing a stable and prosperous life for the local people.
