Bringing the quintessence of Hanoi's craft villages to the UK and European markets

From July 20 to 23, 2025, in Harrogate (UK), the Home & Gift Handicraft and Gift Fair 2025 officially opened, marking 65 years of establishment and development of Europe's leading prestigious trade event.

This year's fair brings together 500 prestigious brands, including businesses, manufacturers, designers, agents and international media units in the field of interior design, gifts and handicrafts, with more than 25,000 products on display, from many countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, France, Spain, Germany, Colombia, Japan, Qatar... and Vietnam.

Ribbon cutting ceremony to open “Hanoi - Vietnam” booth at the Gift Fair 2025

The Hanoi delegation, chaired by the Department of Agriculture and Environment, brought to the fair a special exhibition space, the "Hanoi - Vietnam" booth, located right in the main hall of the fair. With the theme "Hanoi Craft Villages - Traditional Values - Modern Design", the booth bears the cultural imprint of Thang Long - Dong Do - Hanoi.

Participating in the exhibition at the booth are 9 typical enterprises of Hanoi, introducing craft village products, OCOP products with export potential to the UK and European markets such as: Household items, lacquerware, mother-of-pearl inlay; Baskets, carpets, decorations, trays, bowls, tableware; Quilted blankets, decorative pillows, handbags, wallets, coasters, plate coasters, laptop covers, phone cases, glasses cases; Christmas decorations, trays, baskets, baskets, lampshades, sedge mirrors, products from rattan, bamboo, sedge, water hyacinth; High-class silk products such as face towels, bath towels, scarves, linen, silk curtains, silk bedding. The opening ceremony of the "Hanoi - Vietnam" booth on July 20, 2025 was attended by Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hoa - Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment; Ms. Hoang Le Hang - Trade Office of the Embassy of Vietnam in the UK; Mr. Le Ba Ngoc - Vice President of the Asia Pacific Craft Council, Vice President of the Vietnam Handicraft Export Association; along with officials, businesses and international partners.

Products displayed at the "Hanoi - Vietnam" booth

This is a key activity that helps Hanoi businesses not only introduce products but also increase brand presence, approach customers and partners in the UK and European countries, opening up opportunities to connect with international distribution chains.

In addition to product display activities, Hanoi businesses have participated in many forums, conferences and seminars organized by the Organizing Committee of the Home & Gift 2025 Fair. Topics focus on international branding, trends in handicraft product design, product promotion skills and connecting international business networks.

Many orders signed, many experiences learned

Through these activities, Hanoi businesses not only shared professional knowledge but also had the opportunity to be present on social networks and information channels of the Organizing Committee, contributing to expanding trade connections within and outside the European region.

On the sidelines of the fair, the Hanoi delegation had a working session with Ambassador Do Minh Hung - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the UK, along with representatives of the Trade Office and Trade Counselor.

The meeting focused on discussing solutions to maintain and promote Hanoi's handicraft products, gifts, and OCOP products in the UK and European markets. At the same time, the two sides agreed to mobilize the Vietnamese community in the UK to participate in promoting, consuming products and developing the distribution system of Vietnamese goods in this market.

Hanoi delegation worked with Ambassador Do Minh Hung - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the UK, along with representatives of the Trade Office and Commercial Counselor

One of the highlights of the program was a working trip with the leaders of Stoke on Trent City, which is considered the cradle of the UK ceramics industry. Welcoming the delegation were Mr. Paul Williams - Representative of the City Executive Board and Professor Neil Brownsword - Staffordshire University, in charge of ceramics.

At the meeting, the parties exchanged, promoted products and sought opportunities for cooperation and investment in handicraft and ceramic production, digital transformation in design, and at the same time developing village tourism. The delegation also surveyed and learned from famous production units and museums such as Wedgwood World, V&A Wedgwood Collection, Gladstone Ceramics Museum, Spode Museum and Clay College, Middleport Ceramics.

Through this, Hanoi businesses have more opportunities to better understand the needs and consumer tastes of the UK and European markets, expand their customer network, sign export contracts and develop distribution channels for OCOP products and craft village products to international markets.

During the fair, Hanoi businesses welcomed many partners to visit, learn and have signed the first export orders. Not only stopping at trade transactions, Hanoi businesses also learned many valuable experiences in production processes, raw material control, design, booth arrangement art, as well as trade promotion methods on digital platforms.

Many visitors came to visit the booth Hanoi - Vietnam

The trade promotion mission at the Home & Gift Fair 2025 ended with many positive results, opening up new opportunities for craft village products and OCOP products of Hanoi to penetrate deeper into global value chains, affirming the position and competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in the international market.

Photos at the event