Hanoi to host inaugural global craft village preservation and development festival
Covering around 10,000 sqm, the event will showcase Vietnamese and international handicrafts, live demonstrations, innovative designs, digital transformation, Net Zero initiatives, cuisine and cultural activities.
Lacquerware products from Ha Thai lacquer craft village in Duyen Ha commune, Hanoi, are exported to various markets, including Europe, Japan and the Republic of Korea. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi will host the first Global Craft Village Preservation and Development Festival at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel from November 13–16, with around 200 international delegates from more than 50 countries and territories.

Under the theme “Converging craft village cultural identities – connecting global excellence”, the festival will honour artisans, promote traditional crafts and foster international cooperation, trade and craft village tourism.

Covering around 10,000 sqm, the event will showcase Vietnamese and international handicrafts, live demonstrations, innovative designs, digital transformation, Net Zero initiatives, cuisine and cultural activities.

Four Hanoi craft villages recognised by the World Crafts Council – Bat Trang, Van Phuc, Son Dong and Chuyen My – will each have a 90-sq.m exhibition area featuring products and traditional techniques.

The festival will also feature visits and hands-on activities at local craft villages, a conference on investment promotion for rural industrial products, and exchanges between artisans and designers through the Asia-Pacific Handicraft Product Competition.

Nguyen Dinh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, called on localities and relevant agencies to strengthen coordination, promote the event and ensure preparations are completed on schedule.

Local representatives stressed the need for early coordination on exhibition layouts, equipment, schedules and programmes to facilitate craft demonstrations and welcome international delegations.

The event is expected to strengthen Hanoi’s position as a regional and international hub for handicrafts while creating new opportunities for investment, exports and tourism./.

See Also

Vietnam seeks to boost shopping tourism

Shopping tourism remains underdeveloped in Vietnam despite its potential to attract visitors and boost revenue. Diversifying dining, shopping and entertainment services while extending stays would help increase tourist spending.

Vietnam ranks fourth among top autumn travel destinations for 2026

Lonely Planet highlights Hanoi as an appealing autumn destination, with cool weather making it a pleasure to explore its winding, invigorating streets. Dreamy Ha Long Bay is at its clearest and the warm waters are perfect for a dip, while Sa Pa and Tuyen Quang, including the former Ha Giang area, welcome visitors with golden terraced rice fields during the harvest season.

Buffalo-soul ritual keeps tradition alive in Lai Chau

As part of the 2026 Lu Ethnic Culture Festival, themed “Colours of Lu Ethnic Culture”, Khun Ha commune in the northwestern province of Lai Chau province re-enacted the Su Khon Khoai festival. Its highlight, a buffalo soul worship ritual, expresses gratitude to the animals for their hard work, hopes for good harvests and prosperity, and helps preserve the Lu community’s spiritual traditions.

Hanoi works to unlock heritage resources

When innovation deepens understanding of traditional values rather than replacing them, heritage becomes not only something to preserve but also a resource for sustainable tourism, economic development and reinforcement of Hanoi’s position as a UNESCO Creative City.

Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship marks 10 years on UNESCO heritage list

2026 marks a decade since the practice of Mother Goddess worship in Vietnam was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Its cultural values continue to be upheld through traditional ceremonies, ritual singing (hat van), elaborate costumes and ritual spirit mediumship performances (hau dong).

Vietnamese culture shines at festival in RoK

A celebration marking the seventh founding anniversary of the Vietnamese Migrant Women’s Association (VMWA) in Ansan, Gyeonggi province, the Republic of Korea, took place on October 18, featuring cultural exchanges and activities to mark Vietnamese Women’s Day (October 20).