Thousands flock to Hanoi for craft festival

Held at Mailand Hanoi City Urban Area, the Hanoi Agricultural and Craft Village Products Festival marked a significant milestone in the city's agricultural heritage and traditional crafts. Designed to support the development of new rural areas, preserve traditional village communities, and promote agricultural restructuring with a focus on sustainability, the festival also played a key role in enhancing comprehensive development.

Additionally, this year’s festival commemorated the 70^th anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation, the establishment of Hanoi Party Committee, and the founding of Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. As part of these celebrations, the event provided a dynamic platform for promoting local agricultural and craft products, fostering trade, and stimulating economic growth in Hanoi’s agricultural and rural sectors.

Various activities were featured, including an opening ceremony with a cultural performance themed '70 Years of Ambition', as well as trade exhibitions, specialised conferences, and workshops.

Speaking at the ceremony, Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said, "Hanoi’s role as a political and cultural centre also extends to agricultural development, particularly in high-tech agriculture and preserving traditional craft village values. It is my hope that the capital will continue to harness its potential and become a model for sustainable and modern development."

Nguyen Dinh Hoa, deputy director of Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, also praised the festival, saying, "The exhibition's layout has been thoughtfully designed with beautifully arranged display areas ideal for visitors to enjoy and take photos. Additionally, the entire operation has been meticulously managed to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all attendees."

Over the past three years, the festival has built a solid reputation within the industry, and this year attracted over 260 participants. This included 152 entities from 25 districts, towns, and cities within Hanoi, and 116 participants from 25 other provinces and cities. Additionally, 32 domestic and international businesses joined, creating a robust platform for networking and product promotion that will help strengthen both local and national agricultural and craft sectors.

Photo: Baodautu.vn

The event covered an area of 15,000 square metres and was divided into several themed zones, each showcasing Hanoi's agricultural progress and cultural heritage. Exhibitions featured ornamental plants, regional agricultural products, traditional crafts from the city and surrounding provinces, as well as 'One Commune One Product' items and award-winning handicrafts from 2024.

The festival also highlighted a high-tech agricultural zone, machinery displays for farming, and various handicraft booths offering unique souvenirs. Special attractions included live artisan demonstrations, where visitors could try their hand at traditional craft techniques such as ceramics, silk weaving, and gold leaf application.

A major highlight was the food area, featuring 17 booths offering iconic Hanoi dishes, such as Thanh Tri rice rolls, Phu Xuyen snail noodles, and Van Dinh duck rolls. This culinary showcase celebrated Hanoi’s rich food culture, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the region’s historical cuisine.

Cultural performances included traditional music and fashion shows, further enhancing the festival’s celebration of local heritage. The festival also raised awareness of Hanoi’s traditional craft villages, offering visitors a chance to learn about the intricate processes involved in creating products like Bat Trang ceramics and Van Phuc silk. These crafts play a key role in both Hanoi’s cultural identity and its local tourism and economic development.

Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Secretary, Hanoi Party Committee, presenting the First Class Labour Medal to Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Photo: baodautu.vn

The festival facilitated the signing of MoUs for product supply and distribution between 13 organisations, businesses, cooperatives, and production households, fostering greater collaboration in the agricultural and handicraft sectors.

At the closing ceremony, the organisers presented awards to 16 districts and communes for their outstanding exhibition booths, with Hoai Duc district receiving the prestigious Special Prize. In recognition of its exceptional contributions, Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was awarded the First Class Labour Medal by Hanoi Party Committee Secretary Bui Thi Minh Hoai.

Building on the success of this year’s festival, Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has proposed that the event be held twice a year to further promote agricultural and craft products, stimulate investment, and celebrate Hanoi’s agricultural and cultural achievements.

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