THE HANOI TIMES — An exhibition introducing OCOP handicrafts and tourism-linked village products organized by the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade is underway to offer tourists a vivid showcase of craftsmen’s creativity.

The three-day exhibition staring on October 18 features 80 booths, including a dedicated area showcasing traditional handicrafts from the local communities.

Having heard about the event a few days ago, Nguyen Thi Thanh from Hanoi's Tu Liem Ward was among the first to come to the exhibition. After spending hours looking at the myriad of traditional handicrafts, Thanh bought dozens of handmade ceramics from famous Bat Trang Village.

"I want to find some souvenirs associated with Hanoi for myself, my family and friends living abroad. The exhibition site is lively with all the stalls neatly decorated and displaying typical products of Hanoi," Thanh shared with The Hanoi Times.

Meanwhile, Johnny Tran, Thanh's friend and an oversea Vietnamese, showed interest in the photos of Hanoi's trading villages. "It was exciting to learn that Hanoi has many ancient handicraft villages," said Johnny.

According to Hoang Minh Lam, Director of the Center for Industrial Promotion and Development Consultancy under the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, the exhibition is part of a broader series promoting tourism-oriented OCOP development across the capital city.

The department plans to continue such exhibitions to late 2025 to boost the visibility of local crafts and establish a network of Creative Design Centers linked to tourism.

“By offering a vibrant platform for traditional products, especially ceramics, rattan and bamboo weaving and garments, the program supports artisans and small businesses while appealing to both local and international visitors,” Lam told The Hanoi Times.

Exhibitions will also feature live demonstrations of craft techniques and production processes, giving tourists a closer look at the skills and traditions that shape Vietnam’s cultural identity.

Many local enterprises, production facilities, artisans and skilled craftspeople in Hanoi and other provinces have joined the event to display and trade their distinctive creations, said Trinh Quoc Dat, President of the Vietnam Association of Craft Villages.

He talked to The Hanoi Times that the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has called for carefully designed, visually appealing and well-organized displays to ensure success. “Artisans and businesses are encouraged to create open and engaging spaces that invite visitors to explore.”

Dat stressed that the event aims to foster pride in traditional craft villages, provide a platform to showcase handicrafts and promote craft village tourism in the city.

Hanoi is home to more than 1,350 handicraft villages, accounting for roughly one-quarter of the national total. These villages collectively generate over VND24 trillion (US$1 billion) annually, making a significant contribution to the city’s GRDP.

Recently, the city’s master plan for the development of craft villages with a vision to 2050 sets the target to restore by 2030 at least five traditional crafts and craft villages that are at risk of disappearing.