An exhibition titled ASEAN Handicrafts Associated with Environmental Protection was opened at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnic Cultures in Vietnam's Thai Nguyen Province on December 19.

Gathering nearly 150 photographs, the event introduced the history of ASEAN handicrafts and development directions related to natural materials for environmental protection. The exhibition is expected to contribute to the preservation and development of traditional crafts and inspire the community to take action to protect the environment.

Visitors experience the making of Vietnamese bamboo and rattan handicrafts. Photo: VNA

To Thi Thu Trang, Director of the museum, said the thematic exhibitions are regularly organized to innovate and attract visitors. Meanwhile, Tran Hai Van, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that together with the ASEAN Corner or ASEAN Textile Festival, the museum has become a place for many artisans and international friends, demonstrating proactive approach in organizing exchange activities within ASEAN.

In addition to the photo exhibition, the program also included hands-on activities such as batik drawing, printing patterns on fabric with beeswax, embroidering patterns on fabric, weaving straw hats, and other everyday items.

A corner of the exhibition. Photo: To Quoc

"Without such activities, the next generations will not know about these unique cultural identities of the nation. Therefore, inviting artisans to participate in traditional craft experience activities like this is very meaningful for artisans like us," said Nguyen Luong Bang, a rattan and bamboo weaver from Nam Tien Ward, Pho Yen City, Thai Nguyen Province.

Experiencing the exhibition firsthand, Frank and Liz - travelers from the Philippines - were excited to draw patterns on fabric with beeswax. They found the event very attractive and meaningful. Through the exhibition, the duo understood more about the traditional handicrafts of their homeland and learned more about those of other ASEAN member states.

Handicrafts are one of the key areas of cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges within ASEAN, creating strong links between artisans and creative artists, businesses and consumers, and contributing to the livelihood of artisans and the community.

Visitors learn the art of batik, which is famous in ASEAN countries. Photo: To Quoc

Statistics by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development showed that Vietnam is home to more than 5,000 handicraft villages and 1.58 million artisans and craftsmen.

Among them, many of Hanoi's typical handicraft villages have a history of 500 to 1,000 years and produce unique handicrafts that are highly sought after by both locals and international consumers, such as Van Phuc Silk Village, Dong Ho Folk Painting Village, Bat Trang Ceramics Village, and others.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology also launched a tour guide mobile application to provide visitors with a new, modern, and convenient approach to explore the cultures of Vietnam's ethnic groups at the museum.