Craft Village Festival set for global stage, says Hanoi leader
The 2025 International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival in Hanoi will feature over 350 booths and international participants from 30 countries. It aims to become an annual global event promoting Vietnam’s handicraft heritage.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi expects the 2025 International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival to become an annual global event that helps promote the capital’s craft villages to the world, said Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen.
This year’s festival delivers a strong message about preserving, developing and affirming the position of Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general on the world handicraft map, he told a meeting on October 31 regarding the preparations for the festival.
Pottery and ceramic items displayed inside the Bat Trang Pottery Museum in Hanoi. Photo: Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper
“Hanoi aims to reach further and bring its craft heritage to the world. We will continue to improve the program and elevate the festival into a recurring event with an international mark,” the vice chairman said.
According to the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, the 2025 International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival will take place from November 14 to November 18 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi.
The festival will cover more than 4,000 square meters. The organizer expects to welcome 350 booths across five main spaces: preservation, development, OCOP and cuisine, international exhibition and a “Colorful Hanoi Flower Festival” space.
So far, 125 organizations and individuals have registered to display, perform and demonstrate their crafts at the festival. Among them are more than 40 artisans, 19 skilled craftsmen, OCOP producers, businesses and craft villages from across Hanoi with a total of 195 booths.
Ha Dong Ward and the three communes of Bat Trang, Son Dong and Chuyen My will represent Hanoi at the festival, displaying the best specialties and local crafts. These are the four localities that have been or are being nominated for recognition as world creative craft villages.
Fifty international organizations have confirmed their participation, including 20 leaders of the World Crafts Council and representatives of creative craft cities from 30 countries and territories.
Mother-of-pearl and lacquerware craft products made by local artisans of Chuyen My Commune. Photo: Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Hanoi People’s Committee have invited 33 provinces and cities nationwide. Of these, 18 have registered to participate with 77 booths in total.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Vo Van Hung described the festival as the largest international event on craft villages ever held in Vietnam.
“The event goes beyond promotion and exhibition as it builds a long-term development strategy. We expect to make it an annual activity,” he said.
Deputy Minister Hung urged Hanoi authorities, agencies and localities to finalize all preparations and strengthen communication about the event to ensure its success.
Vice Chairman Quyen requested relevant departments and agencies to complete preparations early and provide the best reception for international guests.
He stressed the importance of attention to detail, including providing stable internet and ensuring smooth internet connectivity for residents and visitors at the festival.
Hanoi’s leaders also asked agencies to design programs that maintain regular activities and continuous events throughout the festival and organize focused workshops on key issues related to craft village planning and preservation.
“Hanoi is ready for the 2025 International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival,” said Quyen.
