Making an impact on the Conservation and Development Festival of Vietnamese Craft Villages

On the morning of September 12, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with the Hanoi People's Committee, held a meeting of the Organizing Committee for the Conservation and Development Festival of Vietnamese Craft Villages in 2023.

According to Mr. Le Duc Thinh, Director of the Department of Economic Cooperation and Rural Development and the inter-ministerial plan No. 05/KHLT-BNNPTNT-UBND dated August 31, 2023, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Hanoi People's Committee regarding the organization of the 2023 Conservation and Development Festival of Vietnamese Craft Villages, the Ministry has developed a detailed plan for the festival. It is expected to feature three main activities: honoring artisans and skilled craftsmen, the festival's opening ceremony and the awarding of prizes for the national handicraft product competition; and cultural art programs from traditional craft villages.

The 19th Vietnam Craft Villages Fair and the exhibition space featuring Vietnamese OCOP products are expected to contain 300 booths in total. Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development manages 180 booths (20 international booths, 10 booths featuring products by artisans, and 150 booths featuring handicrafts, OCOP products, and key local products), and the Hanoi People's Committee manages 120 booths.

Furthermore, a series of workshops will be held within the framework of the festival, including the International Workshop on the Conservation and Development of Craft Villages, the Workshop on International Trade Connections between San Marino and Bat Trang, the Workshop on the development of Mulberry silk material regions to be implemented by the National Agricultural Extension Center, and the Vietnam-Mongolia promotion workshop conducted by the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Hanoi People's Committee is also organizing seven events in response to the festival, including the Craftsmen Parade and the 2023 Van Phuc Craft Village Cultural Tourism and Trade Week with the theme "Van Phuc - A Colorful Integration"; the award ceremony for Hanoi craft village products in 2023; an event introducing OCOP products related to the culture of southern provinces; craft village product festivals in Phu Xuyen district; the Hanoi Autumn Festival; the 2023 Hanoi International Handicrafts Gift Fair; and multiple activities for craft village tourism in Hanoi, including Bat Trang, Van Phuc, and Duong Lam.

According to Mr. Thinh, the Vietnam National Handicraft Product Competition will receive product submissions from September 15 to 30 at the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center. The judging period is scheduled to take place between October 26 and 30 at the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center. The prize structure across five product categories includes five first prizes, ten-second prizes, fifteen third prizes, and fifteen consolation prizes.

Mr. Thinh also recommended the Festival Organizing Committee implement the assigned tasks promptly. The International Cooperation Department is urgently implementing the Ministry's leadership plan for the organization of two international workshops on the conservation and development of Vietnamese craft villages and global trade connections between San Marino and Bat Trang. In addition, the Department is inviting and facilitating the participation of international organizations, units, and businesses in the festival and the exhibition of global handicraft products at the fairgrounds.

The Vietnam Handicraft Exporters Association is coordinating closely with the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center and the Hanoi Center for Promotion of Investment, Trade, and Tourism to develop an overall design plan for the program that is suitable for its objectives, significance, and available resources. In addition, the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center is adding booths for equipment and environmental pollution control technologies in craft villages.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam, emphasized that a festival is a significant event with cultural and commercial exchange significance in addition to being a promotional product fair. As a result, the organizers must carefully plan all aspects including the main and side activities. Accordingly, they should pay attention to creating a space to display all the products participating in the Vietnamese Handicraft Product Competition. Furthermore, they should ensure that both local residents and tourists have a complete and perfect experience when attending the festival.

Mr. Nam added, "The organizers must always think about what the tourists would do after attending workshops, tours, and shopping at the booths. This is how we can develop a comprehensive and seamless festival program that leaves a deep and lasting impact, making it a truly vibrant festival. Planning and researching additional activities, competitions, and experiences related to cuisine and the cultural heritage of handicraft villages are essential to attract tourists."