Erin has posted some great ideas over on the Transracial Adoption Blog for gifts that help other people. To continue on with her idea, I’ve been doing some research to find gifts that you might consider purchasing that directly help the Vietnamese people. I know it’s a little late in the season, but with so many people doing last minute shopping and ordering gifts online, I hope that some will consider the organizations I’ll be featuring.

I have posted about Craft Link before. Craft Link is a non profit organization in Viet Nam that supports Vietnamese artists by selling their wares for a fair price. The organization has retail, wholesale and export divisions and places a focus on promoting the wares of ethnic minority artisans. When we were in Viet Nam we visited the Museum of Ethnology and I only just learned that Craft Link works directly with the museum too. Their dedication to preserving the traditional crafts and handiwork of the Vietnamese people is wonderful.

The handicrafts found at Craft Link are beautiful and knowing that the price you pay for them goes directly back to the people is rewarding. All of the producers who make the items that Craft Link sells are guaranteed a fair wage, and Craft Link works directly with programs that work to alleviate poverty through the selling of handicrafts and other items.

If you’re in Hanoi, please stop by and visit Craft Link, They have two stores right next to each other, and are very close to the Temple of Literature. If you won’t be in Viet Nam anytime soon and still want to support Craft Link, the wonderful American retailer Ten Thousand Villages is carrying some of their products. You can visit a Ten Thousand Villages near you or order directly from their website. I have been to a local store and absolutely loved it. They are a fair trade, fair wage retail chain who has done amazing work in furthering the lives of and supporting the crafts of people all over the world.

photo credit

More Reading:
Getting Through the Holidays as You Wait
Cultural Gifts for Your Kids
Gift Idea- Brittany's Hope