Vietnam has an annual 1.6 billion USD handicraft export value of low price products.Craft products by ethnic minority groups in most northern Vietnam provinces rarely make it to the export market on official channels but are largely sold as cheap souvenirs to tourists.

The primary issue that Making Futures Vietnam seeks to address is the sustainable livelihood of, and closely linked with it, the well-being of and opportunities for women and girls in these communities. The project will address this issue through provision of workshops, mentorship, design challenges and residencies with an emphasis on social innovation and cultural heritage, and improve the connection between designers and craft entrepreneurs with ethnic minority women artisans.

Working with the Vietnam Rural Industries Research and Development Institute (VIRI), Kilomet 109, Work Room Four, NESTA, University of Leicester and Lola Lely Studio as well as local universities.