Despite having to change its original plan due to floods and storms, the second Hanoi Autumn Festival has now concluded, leaving a lasting impact on its participants. This is one of a series of activities by the city of Hanoi to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the capital's liberation (October 10, 1954-2024).

This year, the festival has the participation and support of 12 provinces and cities nationwide; 17 districts, towns and cities in the capital; associations, clubs, tourism and travel companies.

The festival attracted 50,000 visitors including many foreign tourists. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times

Speaking at the closing ceremony on September 22, Deputy Director of Hanoi Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center (HPA) Nguyen Tran Quang said that despite the unfavorable weather, the festival attracted more than 50,000 visitors with many rich and unique content with cultural spaces, performances and demonstrations of artisans from craft villages. The booths representing Hanoi's localities and sectors held many meaningful activities, such as writing letters to children in mountainous areas, minigames to guess the place name by looking at the picture, and others.

Many organizations participated in Hanoi Autumn Festival 2024, including many travel agencies, accommodation facilities, and famous travel brands such as Vietnam Airlines, Hanoi Tourist, and Vietravel. They not only introduce thousands of tourism products, but also bring promotional programs to tourists, creating opportunities to experience Hanoi tourism at a more reasonable cost.

In addition, there are many exhibition areas with miniature replicas of old Hanoi, such as the Hanoi Flag Tower, Hang Co Railway Station, Long Bien Bridge, O Quan Chuong Gate. With the participation of 12 provinces and cities across the country and a number of tour operators and associations, the event creates many opportunities for cooperation in developing tourism nationwide.

An area of conical hats from Chuong village. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times

In addition to exhibitions and demonstrations, the festival also features culinary performances with the participation of the Royal Chefs Association and culinary artisans from  craft villages. Traditional dishes of Hanoi such as green rice flakes, lotus tea and coffee were promoted and performed in a unique way to honor the diverse and creative cuisine of the capital.

An indispensable highlight of the Hanoi Autumn Festival is the presence of Hanoi's traditional trade villages, which are not only places where sophisticated handicrafts are produced, but also witnesses to the history of Thang Long.

In this space, there are 15 exhibition areas featuring typical products of 11 artisans from 11 famous craft villages in Hanoi: Bat Trang pottery, Ha Thai lacquerware, Ngu Xa bronze casting, Son Dong sculpture, Phu Vinh rattan and bamboo weaving, Thiet Ung fine wood, Lang Vac fans, Thuong Tin embroidery, Chuong conical hats, Chau Khe jewelry, Chang Son fans, among others.

Many unique works created especially to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the capital were displayed for the first time, such as those made by artisan Vu Manh Hai from Chau Khe jewelry village; Uncle Ho Reading the Declaration of Independence by artisan Nguyen Thanh Tuan from Ngu Xa bronze casting village; Autumn Lotus on Driftwood by artisan Do Van Cuong; Lotus Lamp by artisan Nguyen Van Tinh from Phu Vinh bamboo and rattan weaving village.

Visitors also experienced the space of Hanoi people's tea culture; learned to make bamboo and rattan handicrafts, lacquerware and hand-embroidered gifts.

The organizer also raised funds for people affected by Super Storm Yagi, collecting VND288 million (US$12,000).

Nguyen Ha Anh from HCM City enjoyed visiting Hanoi during the Hanoi Autumn Festival, saying she got a panoramic view of Hanoi's culture and tourism.

"During my short stay in Hanoi, I planned to visit some famous places such as Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Temple of Literature and Duong Lam ancient village. Thanks to this festival, I got to know many other craft villages in Hanoi. I experienced tea culture at the festival and bought tea as gifts for my relatives in HCM City," said Ha Anh.

A space for tea culture at the festival. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times