Ethnic minority women in the central province of Quang Nam are enjoying a better life thanks to a project co-funded by the Luxembourg Government and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The $1.3 million project began in June 2011, with the aim at strengthening the participation of ethnic women in tourism activities. In three years of implementation, it has helped develop the traditional brocade craft in Quang Nam’s remote districts. Now local brocade products not only serve visitors to the province but are also sold at many tourist sites in other localities, including Hanoi and the central city of Danang. National coordinator of the project Nguyen Thi Huyen said that from now till the end of 2015, the project will focus on training human resources in tourism services, developing product value chains and enhancing the role of women in promoting the community-based tourism. Aurelie Klein, Development Cooperation Attaché at the Luxembourg Embassy in Vietnam, pledged to continue collaboration with UNESCO and the International Labor Organization in helping women there diversify their traditional products, thus contributing to improving their living conditions and maintaining their cultural values. (vietnamplus.vn May 9)
