Hanoi to host Tourism Gift Festival in October

Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2023 will be held from October 6 to 8 in the pedestrian zone of Tran Nhan Tong Street as part of activities to mark the 69th anniversary of the capital's Liberation Day (October 10, 1954-2023).

The event aims to stimulate tourism, promote the image of the capital as an attractive and safe tourist destination, and create opportunities for artisans, trade villages, and production units to showcase handicrafts.

A lacquered box made by artisans from Ha Thai Village, Hanoi. Photo: The Hanoi Times

The three-day event will feature a seminar on the production and development of tourism gifts in Hanoi, tourism promotion programs, a food area, art performances, a photo exhibition "Smile of Tourists", and 80 booths showcasing unique gift products.

There will be events in response to the "24h - Hanoi Come to Love" campaign; a bicycle parade to bring festival gifts to tourists on the streets; flash mob dance performances, among others.

The culinary showcase will introduce visitors to Hanoi's rich and unique cuisine from Michelin-stared restaurants and Michelin Selected restaurants announced in June 2023.

Besides, festival-goers will be able to take beautiful photos at themed landscape photography areas set up to promote Hanoi's traditional trade villages, such as Phu Vinh Bamboo and Rattan Village, Chang Son Paper Fan Village, Van Phuc Silk Village, Thach Xa Bamboo Dragonflies Village, and Bat Trang Ceramics Village.

An artisan paints a paper fan in Chang Son Village. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Hanoi capital city is taking measures to bring into full play opportunities brought about by craft villages to facilitate its development, as it accounts for 59% of the country’s total number of craft villages.

Currently, craft villages are creating jobs for about one million laborers, their production value is about VND22 trillion (US$ 936 million), with an annual export turnover of US$200 million.

In order to make the most of this advantage, the capital city will build at least one center for the design, introduction, promotion, and sale of OCOP (one commune-one product) items of craft villages in combination with tourism development, and organize the evaluation and classification of products registered to participate in the city-level OCOP program.

According to the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, Hanoi leads the country in the number of OCOP products, with nearly 1,700 star-rated products from 426 enterprises, cooperatives, and household businesses. As many as 80 showrooms have been set up in districts and cities to sell OCOP products, introducing products widely to consumers and tourists.
Hanoi has recognized more than 2,140 OCOP products, including six 5-star OCOP products, and more than 800 active trade villages, boosting the rural economy while creating jobs for residents.

The city aims to have an additional 2,000 OCOP products rated three stars and above by 2025.