The opening ceremony of the fair at the Vietnam National Booth

The “Hanoi - Vietnam” booth, covering 84 square meters within a nearly 200 square meter national Vietnam booth area, will be elegantly and impressively decorated. It will feature numerous OCOP products and exemplary export-oriented handicrafts from Hanoi and Vietnam, such as ceramics, embroidery, silk, bamboo and rattan items, interior and exterior decor, carvings, bags, gift items, and specialty food products such as tea, various dried fruits, cashews, macadamias, fruit juices, and more. The booth will particularly highlight products from eight reputable and quality companies in Hanoi, including Green House Cooperative (Handysilk brand), VietEthnic International Trade Co., Ltd., Vietnam Laser Technology Co., Ltd., Kochi Import-Export and Technology Development Co., Ltd., P&T Vietnam Food Co., Ltd., Quang Minh Ceramics JSC, Gigaherbs Vietnam Agriculture JSC, and Minh An Import-Export, Trade, and Tourism Co., Ltd. Additionally, several Vietnamese enterprises will independently participate, selling fruit preserves, herbal teas, embroidered items, ceramic lamps, and more.

The national Vietnam booth is designed as an open space, providing opportunities for product sampling and engagement. It offers visitors an immersive experience in Vietnam’s regional culture and products under the theme: “Vietnamese OCOP Products: Converging Values - Spreading Culture.”

On November 30, 2024, the opening ceremony of the fair at the Vietnam National Booth was attended by distinguished guests: Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung; Mr. Enrico Brambilla, Secretary General of the Milan Handicrafts Federation (APA Confartigianato Imprese Milano Monza e Brianza); Mr. Gabrielle Alberti, Fair Director; Ms. Loredana, President of the Milan Handicrafts Association; Mr. Walter Caverenghi, Secretary General of the Italy-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (CCIV); and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, including Mr. Nguyen Tien Minh, Director of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center, and Mr. Phuong Dinh Anh, Deputy Chief of the Central New Rural Coordination Office, along with leaders from the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, who cut the ribbon to open the Hanoi and Vietnam exhibition area at the fair.

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Enrico Brambilla, Secretary General of the Milan Handicrafts Federation, highly appreciated Vietnam’s return and emphasized its strengths in ceramics and silk products. He expressed readiness to cooperate and support Vietnam’s participation in the 2025 International Handicrafts Fair.

Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Hai Hung urged the fair organizers to share experiences from other countries for achieving high efficiency, assist in product selection, design, promotion, and provide market trend information, including insights into wholesalers. Both sides discussed specific activities and preparations for Vietnam’s future participation in upcoming fairs.

Vietnamese booths attracted a large number of visitors and shoppers right from the opening day. Vietnamese products were praised for their uniqueness, vibrancy, and distinctiveness. Mr. Antonio Intiglietta, President and CEO of Gestione Fiere, the fair’s organizer, visited the Vietnamese booth to explore its featured products.

Beyond showcasing OCOP products, handicrafts, gifts, and agricultural food items, a roundtable cooperation seminar on the Vietnam-Italy handicraft industry was organized with support from the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Agricultural Trade Promotion Center and the Central New Rural Coordination Office), the Hanoi People’s Committee (Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development), and notable figures like Mr. Beppe Pisani, President of the Small and Medium Enterprises Federation in Lombardy’s fashion sector (CNA Fedemoda Lombardia), and Mr. Jean Blanchaert, an artisan and expert in Milan’s handicraft scene. Mr. Blanchaert, who has visited Vietnam many times, emphasized the need for Vietnamese craft villages to enhance product quality and train young artisans through global design courses. Upon returning, these individuals could collaborate with local artisans to create traditional yet innovative products, aligning with consumer trends. The seminar highlighted the strengths of each country’s handicraft industry and exchanged ideas on consumer and aesthetic trends for sustainable development.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy also arranged for the delegation to meet with the Vicenza Handicrafts Federation and visit local ceramics and handicraft workshops in Vicenza. Activities included working with leaders of the Vicenza Handicrafts Federation and visiting companies like UNION, VBC, and Ceramiche Lorenzon.

The fair will run from November 30 to December 8 at the Milan Exhibition Center in Italy.

Some images of the Vietnamese delegation at the fair