Proposal

Artisan Journeys: A Collaborative Tourism Project for Gen Z

• Introduction

The Artisan Journeys project is a collaborative initiative between GiaBa Co., Ltd., Thien Duong Bao Son Corporation, and experts, aiming to provide Gen Z with unique, meaningful, and practical tourism experiences. The project aims to:

• Promote Cultural Heritage and History: Provide Gen Z with opportunities to connect with Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage, history, and exquisite craftsmanship.
• Support Career and Future Direction: Enable Gen Z to explore and develop skills in traditional handicrafts, equipping them with career guidance and practical knowledge for the future.
• Promote Brands and Enhance Socioeconomic Development: Promote the brands of traditional villages and their handicrafts, contributing to the development of village tourism and improving the lives of local communities. 

• Issues

Despite Vietnam’s popularity as a tourist destination, Gen Z often lacks connection to the country’s culture, history, and traditional crafts. Simultaneously, traditional villages face the risk of cultural loss and challenges in socioeconomic sustainability.

• Lack of Cultural and Historical Connection: Gen Z generally lacks knowledge and experience of Vietnam’s culture, history, and traditional crafts due to limited opportunities for direct exposure and interaction. 
• Risk of Cultural and Economic Loss: Traditional villages face the risk of losing their cultural heritage while struggling to maintain a stable income for local residents. 
• Limited Career Opportunities: Gen Z needs opportunities to explore and develop skills in traditional crafts but often lacks support and guidance in choosing this career path. 

• Solutions

The Artisan Journeys project will address these issues through the following strategies:

1. Real-World Experiences and Cultural Connection:

• Organize field trips to traditional villages, allowing Gen Z to experience firsthand the production process and interact with local artisans. 
• Facilitate interactive activities such as learning traditional crafts, participating in festivals, and engaging with local communities. 

2. Career Support and Skill Development:

• Conduct talks, workshops, and courses on traditional crafts and career opportunities in this field. 
• Provide guidance and mentorship from traditional craft experts to help Gen Z develop skills and career direction. 

3. Brand Promotion and Socioeconomic Development:

• Develop branding strategies for traditional villages, raising awareness and support from the community and tourists. 
• Create local tourism and handicraft products to increase income for local residents and contribute to the socioeconomic development of the villages. 

Contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The Artisan Journeys project will contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as follows:

• Goal 4: Quality Education (SDG 4): Provide Gen Z with learning and experiential opportunities in culture and traditional crafts. 
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): Create employment opportunities and increase income for local residents in the handicrafts sector. 
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12): Encourage the production and consumption of local handicrafts, sustainable in economic and environmental terms. 

• Conclusion

The Artisan Journeys project is a promising initiative with significant benefits for Gen Z, traditional villages, and local communities. The project not only offers unique and meaningful tourism experiences for Gen Z but also contributes to:

• Preserving and developing Vietnam’s traditional culture.
• Supporting socioeconomic development for villages and local communities.
• Creating employment and income opportunities for local residents.
• Raising awareness about the importance of sustainable production and consumption.

With close collaboration among stakeholders, the Artisan Journeys project promises to create positive impacts and contribute to Vietnam’s sustainable development.

Call to Action

To bring the Artisan Journeys project to life, we need the collective effort of individuals, organizations, and businesses committed to preserving and developing Vietnam’s traditional culture.