Vietnam Handicraft Research And Promotion Center

Our HRPC employs 22 full time staff plus 30 contracted staff, working at our head office and on projects throughout Vietnam. Altogether, we provide technical services in the field of artisan crafts and community development using proven tools and methods combined with extensive market place experience and creativity.

We recognize that technical solutions are very important but not sufficient for sustainable development. People must be placed at the centre of the process and that's why all HRPC's members are highly qualified in their field of expertise. The three principles of HRPC personnel are to provide professional standards, establish and maintain quality control and insure knowledge transfer.

Nguyen Bao Thoa, MBA, General Director

Nguyen Bao Thoa finished her BA in Business English in 1997. The following year she was awarded a scholarship to the National University of Singapore and graduated with high honors as a post graduate in Executive Management Development. In 2005, Thoa was rewarded with a prestigious scholarship to study in the Leadership Training Course at Columbia University, New York. She had obtained MBA degree at Preston University, USA. She has traveled extensively to the USA, EU and throughout Asia for market research of handcrafted products. She speaks fluent English & French.

"All members of our team enjoy their work and we continuously strive to excel in our field of expertise. In this changing world, we must combine our skills, knowledge and experience to be innovative so that we could deliver genuine value, which contribute for the sustainable development of artisan crafts in the rural communities in Vietnam"

Nguyen Ton Kiem, BSc, Senior Expert in Community Development

Nguyen Ton Kiem is a well established archaeologist with more than 25 years in the field, is a valued member of Vietnam Ethnology Association and has been a researcher in HRPC since 1997. He serves as a regular columnist in Vietnam Ethnology Magazine and is highly regarded by professionals in the field. He also contributes a reat part in research in history and development of craft villages throughout Vietnam.

"What seems to unite all our group members is a certain passion, an unconditional belief in our goals of preserving and developing Vietnam's traditional values"

Le Ba Ngoc, MBA, HRPC Project Manager, Vice Chairman cum Secretary General of Vietnam Handicraft Exporters Association

Le Ba Ngoc finished BSc with high honours in 1998 at Hanoi National University of Technologies. In 2002 he graduated with an MBA from the Southern California University. He serves as an International and National Consultant for almost 50 projects on handicrafts and off-farm activities development. He has worked out the export strategy for both handicrafts and wood processing industry for the Government of Vietnam. Besides working as the regular consultant for the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development ..in Vietnam, he is also the Consultant of the UN International Trade Center, ADB, JICA , WWF, KfW...and many other ODA and INGOs funded projects.

"For continuous human growth you have to set yourself new, higher goals after every success. You will discover new energy when you strive towards excellence"