Chieng Chau commune in Mai Chau district has paid due attention to building green craft villages towards sustainable development.
Before the concept of "green craft villages" emerged, many craft zones in the province suffered from pollution caused by smoke, dust, chemical odours, and waste from workshop operations. The conflict between economic development and environmental protection had been a difficult puzzle to solve for years in traditional craft villages.
In recent years, many rural areas have stopped waste burning. Stone processing workshops now spray materials with water before cutting to prevent dust, and debris is collected rather than dumped into streams. Meanwhile, brick kilns that once released thick smoke have been upgraded, with many facilities switching entirely to non-fired brick production
Raising public awareness is the key to environmental protection. In 2020-2022, the province organised more than 180 workshops and training sessions on environmental protection, along with more than 100 drives for collection of pesticide packaging, attracting over 4,000 participants.
Furthermore, environmental protection messaging has been integrated into the spiritual and cultural life of communities through four theatrical exchanges, drawing competitions, contests, and many more.
Rather than top-down directives, local citizens have been empowered through grassroots initiatives like "residential areas of self-managed environmental protection". Village-based teams now enforce regular cleaning schedules, while small workshops have invested in wastewater treatment systems, dust barriers, and proper safety equipment.
Many of Hoa Binh's craft villages now serve as models for sustainable production. In Tan My commune, once severely polluted, residents have implemented biogas systems, waste separation, and strategic greenery. These efforts have revitalised formerly contaminated rice fields and restored clean air.