Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in Urbanizing Vietnam: A Case Study of Bamboo Basket Weaving in Xuan Thoi Son

Amidst the accelerating pace of urbanization in contemporary Vietnam, traditional handicrafts—once integral to rural life and cultural identity—are facing unprecedented decline. This article investigates the case of bamboo basket weaving in Xuan Thoi Son Commune, Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City, a traditional craft with over a century of historical continuity. Employing a multidisciplinary qualitative approach grounded in cultural history and ethnographic fieldwork, the study explores the historical evolution, socio-cultural functions, and present challenges confronting the craft. Data were collected through archival analysis, direct observation, and in-depth interviews with local artisans and officials. The findings reveal a sharp contraction in production, declining transmission of artisanal knowledge, market instability, and limited institutional support. Despite these challenges, the study identifies promising avenues for integrating the craft into community-based tourism, cultural heritage conservation, and sustainable local development. The article contributes to ongoing scholarly debates on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in Southeast Asia, while also offering practical policy recommendations to revitalize endangered craft traditions in urbanizing contexts.