On display were 320 unique and creative handicrafts from various traditional craft villages. The event serves as a crucial platform for local businesses and rural production facilities to explore fresh design trends, develop new products, and adapt to evolving market demands.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Nguyen Anh Duong, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, emphasised the economic and cultural significance of these traditional crafts. He noted that ceramic, lacquer, and gold leaf products not only contribute to economic development but also reflect the rich cultural heritage of the nation, preserved through generations of skilled artisans and traditional techniques.

The exhibition also aims to promote trade, foster cooperation, strengthen supply-demand connections, and support the sustainable growth of the handicraft industry, Duong added.

Artisan Ha Thi Vinh of the renowned Bat Trang ceramic village echoed these sentiments, stressing the vital role of trade promotion activities, especially specialised exhibitions, in linking craft villages and fostering integration and collaboration.

Craft villages are considered to be the driving force for Hanoi to continue developing the cultural industries, building an economy based on creativity and cultural identity, Vinh said.

Pottery, she noted, is more than just a craft; it is a journey of artistic expression and cultural preservation, with each piece telling a story and leaving a unique imprint on the heritage of Vietnam.

HCM City to host ASEAN Ceramics Exhibition

The eighth edition of ASEAN Ceramics 2024 will take place from December 11 to 13 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City.