Hanoi’s International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival highlights global heritage

THE HANOI TIMES — Artisans from across continents are gathering in Hanoi to celebrate heritage, creativity and sustainable design at the 2025 International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival, which is underway in the UNESCO-recognized Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

Featuring more than 350 booths from 30 countries and territories, the festival brings together thousands of artisans, experts and creators in a five-day celebration of traditional craftsmanship.

Yasmin, an artisan from Iran, displayed her work and told The Hanoi Times: “As I know, 50 international organizations joined this year’s festival, including 20 leaders of the World Crafts Council and representatives of creative craft cities. Hanoi has truly become a global meeting place for craft excellence.”

“The event is not only a celebration of traditional craft values but also a strategic step that affirms Hanoi’s vision as a UNESCO Creative City, aiming to bring its handicraft products to the global stage,” Yasmin said.

Themed "Preservation - Cooperation - Development - Spreading values", the exhibition at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel is designed on multiple levels, blending tradition with modernity.

Hanoi expects the 2025 International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival to become an annual global event that promotes the capital’s craft villages to the world, said Nguyen Duc Trung, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on November 14, Trung said the five-day festival is not only a major socio-economic-cultural event but also a bridge linking the quintessence of the past with today’s aspirations, showcasing Hanoi’s creative spirit on the global stage.

“This is clear evidence of the city’s effort to preserve heritage while creating new values, turning culture into an internal strength and a driver of sustainable development,” the mayor said, adding that the festival sends a strong message about preserving, developing and affirming the position of Hanoi and Vietnam on the world handicraft map.

“Hanoi aims to reach further and bring its craft heritage to the world. We will keep improving the program and elevate the festival into a recurring event with an international mark. This year’s festival is the starting point for the city’s long-term strategy for craft village development through 2030, with a vision to 2050,” Trung said.

Running through November 18, the festival spans more than 4,000 square meters and gathers 125 organizations and individuals to display, perform and demonstrate their crafts.

Ha Dong Ward and the three communes of Bat Trang, Son Dong and Chuyen My represent Hanoi at the event, showcasing their finest specialties and local

Nguyen Xuan Chung, Managing Director of Son Dong Fine Art Woodwork Design and Restoration Company, told The Hanoi Times that as globalization accelerates and many traditional craft values risk fading, the festival has become a true gathering of artisans, a meeting place of intelligence, skilled hands and creative spirit.

“This year’s event also honors outstanding artisans, skilled craftsmen and exemplary craft villages across Vietnam, while expanding opportunities for international promotion and market connectivity,” Chung said.

He added that he hopes the festival will help strengthen the brand of Vietnamese craft products within the global value chain.

Vo Van Hung, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, described the festival as the largest international event on craft villages ever held in Vietnam, including thematic workshops, a fair of craft products and safe agricultural goods and an investment promotion conference.

In his speech at the event, the official praised the country’s artisans for preserving national identity while adapting traditions to produce high-value goods competitive on world markets.

Hung noted that Hanoi is home to about 1,350 craft and trade villages, many of which have earned international recognition, including Bat Trang ceramics, Van Phuc silk, Chuyen My mother-of-pearl inlay, Phu Vinh bamboo and rattan weaving, Chuong conical hats and Son Dong wood sculpture.

In February 2025, the Hanoi People’s Committee recognized Bat Trang Pottery Village and Van Phuc Silk Village as members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Crafts and Folk Art.

“These are precious tangible and intangible heritages that must be preserved and promoted in the era of global integration,” Hung said.

Over the next three days, the festival venue will become a global cultural hub, inspiring cross-border creativity among artisans, entrepreneurs and policymakers committed to craft preservation, development and the craft-village economy.

Organizers have designed specialized displays on craft village tourism, green-economy models, net-zero strategies and digital transformation, as well as an international exchange zone where folk arts meet live music, performances and distinctive regional OCOP culinary experiences.

Do Thi My, founder cum designer of MT Pottery & Cozy Home JSC, said the event will help Vietnamese and foreign artisans to exchange experiences and foster cooperation, showcase exquisite products and provide a platform for commercial connection," My told The Hanoi Times.