Hanoi and Vientiane forge stronger tourism and trade ties

A showcase of Hanoi's traditional handicrafts, created by the skilled hands of artisans from the capital, made a strong impression on Lao people during the tourism and trade promotion conference held in the capital Vientiane on March 12. 

Eleven outstanding artisans in fields such as fine woodwork, jewelry, woven bamboo, and lacquer had been carefully selected to for the event where they showcase their expertise and share experiences with their Lao counterparts. 

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung and Hanoi artisans at the conference. Photos: The Hanoi Times

As one of the artisans selected to showcase their handicrafts in Vientiane, Do Danh Nam, a master woodcarver from Thiet Ung Village, Van Ha Commune, Dong Anh District, Hanoi, said he was deeply honored to exchange experiences with colleagues from Vientiane, Laos.

In addition to showcasing and promoting Hanoi's tourism potential in Laos, the Hanoi Promotion Agency, Hanoi Tourism Corporation and the Association of Artisans and Skilled Workers of Hanoi signed cooperation MOUs with businesses and the Vientiane Department of Information, Culture and Tourism. 

Through these agreements, Hanoi will support Vientiane in helping Lao artisans upgrade their skills, harness their potential and strengths in traditional handicrafts, and develop tourism and services. They will also work towards creating more tours and itineraries between Hanoi and Vientiane. 

Speaking about the signing of cooperation at the Hanoi-Vientiane Conference on Tourism and Trade Promotion in 2024, Vu Manh Hai, Chairman of the Hanoi Association of Artisans and Skilled Workers, said: "We will strive to turn the cooperation agreements into concrete actions." 

He also expressed the enthusiasm and excitement of Hanoi's artisans participating in the programme.

At the conference, both sides assessed the potential, opportunities and experiences of cooperation and proposed plans to strengthen tourism and trade cooperation in the future.

"Hanoi welcomes and is willing to cooperate with Vientiane in this regard," said Nguyen Anh Duong, director of the Hanoi Promotion Agency.

Strengthening mutual tourism promotion

Hanoi Party Committee Secretary Dinh Tien Dung (middle) and Vientiane Party Committee Secretary Anouphap Tounalom.

Speaking at the trade promotion event, Dinh Tien Dung, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, expressed his hope that the event would provide an opportunity for agencies and businesses from both sides to exchange, learn, build partnerships and develop practical and effective solutions for the recovery and development of tourism. 

He also called on both sides to launch more promotional campaigns and improve links between the World Heritage sites of the two capitals to create favourable conditions for attracting tourists from both countries and investing in tourism development projects. 

He also emphasizes cooperation in the development of craft village tourism and the creation of innovative traditional handicrafts for foreign tourists.

Dung highlighted that Hanoi has 1,350 craft and trade villages, accounting for 56% of the total number in Vietnam, which practice 47 out of a total of 52 traditional crafts nationwide. These craft villages produce a wealth of handicrafts with different types and beautiful and high-quality designs. 

Some of these handicrafts have a competitive edge in domestic and international markets, such as pottery, weaving, embroidery, woven bamboo, fine woodwork, jewellery and lacquer products, Dung added.. 

He expressed his hope and confidence that in the coming time, Hanoi and Vientiane will continue to strengthen their economic cooperation, particularly in tourism, for the benefit of the people of both countries and capitals, thereby contributing to the consolidation and deepening of the special friendship, cooperation, and unity between Vietnam and Laos. 

Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee Anouphap Tounalom said that through the business conference, Hanoi and Vientiane would work together to seize development opportunities by organizing extensive activities as part of Laos Tourism Year 2024.