Silk flower arrangement artisan To Duy Kha.
"Stores previously brought in VND700-800 million (USD29,855-34,120) in revenue a month, but now it's only about VND100 million. Based on that it’s difficult for me to maintain the operation of two stores in central HCM City," said silk flower arrangement artisan To Duy Kha.
The passionate flower arranger has won many awards at home and abroad, helping to improve his reputation.
At his peak, he earned hundreds of million dong each month thanks to his skillful flower arrangement.
Due to low demand and plunging orders, Kha has borrowed money to maintain his business, but can’t even keep track of how much he owes.
In 13 years of silk flower arrangement, Kha has never seen such a sluggish business as this year.
Kha currently manages small orders costing a few hundred thousand dong to help cover expenses.
Clay flower artisan Tran Thi Tuong Vui, 38, in District 4, also faces a similar fate.
Vui said she previously received dozens of orders and supplied over 200 kilos of clay products to the market each month.
"The orders usually come from advertising companies that need models to display or film advertising videos. I used to earn between VND20-30 million a month. I also earned another VND20 million selling clay," said Vui.
In recent months, orders have decreased by 60 percent, leaving her shocked.
Vui said the plunging orders were due to the gloomy economic outlook.
"Many people have tightened their spending and only spent on essentials, so handmade products aren’t a priority,” she added.
Due to sluggish business, Vui’s family was forced to tighten family spending and limit their travel.
3D fish painting artisan and calligrapher Nguyen Tan Dat in District 3 said before 2019, he earned about VND10 million a month on average thanks to domestic and foreign tourists and art lovers.
But early this year his income fell to VND5 million a month, putting him under financial pressure.
“Due to falling income, I had to do other side jobs to earn money to cover my living expenses and maintain my 3D fish painting business," he said.
In addition to rising inflation and a slumping economy, fierce competition from the Chinese market has pushed craftsmen further into crisis because their products are cheaper than made-in-Vietnam alternatives.