Ha Noi hosts international festival celebrating craft village conservation and creativity

Jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Ha Noi People's Committee, the festival marks several major milestones: the 80th anniversary of the agriculture and environment sector (1945–2025), the celebration of the 18th Congress of the Ha Noi Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term, and the lead-up to the 14th National Party Congress.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Ha Noi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung highlighted the festival's dual mission.

He stated that the event "is not only a showcase of exquisite craftsmanship, but also a platform for exchange, learning, and commercial connection."

Nguyen emphasized the importance of OCOP culinary culture, noting that each regional dish carries a unique "story of identity," linking culture – people – nature. Under its sustainable development strategy, Ha Noi is pursuing a dual approach: preserving traditional heritage while creating new cultural and economic values, positioning culture as a driving force for development.

This year's festival brings together artists, artisans, businesses, and cultural institutions from across Việt Nam and abroad, featuring 350 booths that exhibit, perform, and create signature handicraft products. Visitors can explore curated spaces under the theme "Conservation – Development – Integration," including dedicated zones for Conservation, Development, International Integration, OCOP, and Culinary Culture.

The event not only celebrates the endurance and creativity of Viet Nam's craft villages but also looks toward a future where culture, economy, and innovation converge.

As Ha Noi deepens international cooperation and strengthens its creative industries, the festival underscores Viet Nam's aspiration to integrate confidently and sustainably into the global cultural landscape.

Ha Noi is widely regarded as the "land of a thousand crafts," home to more than 1,350 craft villages and craft communities, including 337 officially recognized craft villages. This rich tradition forms the backbone of the capital's identity and its rise as a creative hub of Viet Nam's handicraft sector.

In 2024, Bat Trang Ceramic Village and Van Phuc Silk Village were admitted to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Crafts and Folk Arts, becoming Viet Nam's first representatives in the prestigious global network. 

At the 2025 festival, the World Crafts Council continues evaluating Son Dong and Chuyen My villages—sparking hopes that Ha Noi will soon have more craft villages recognized on the global creative map./.