The Craft Village Product Contest 2023 to take place between August and October aims to preserve traditional handicraft products, promote national cultural identity, and improve competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets.

To be held by the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the contest is also a playing field for contestants to exchange experience, improve product value, and expand markets for export.

The contest products are handicrafts belonging to five groups: Natural Rattan and Bamboo; Lacquer, Mosaic, Art Wood; Ceramics and Glass; Weaving, Sewing, and Embroidery; Other Groups include Horns, Shells, Stone Carvings, Metals, Leather, and Paintings.

Chuong Village's conical hat is one of Hanoi's most famous handicrafts. Photo: Thien Tam

The Organizing Committee has requested that the products in the competition be new, of the author's own creation and not copied. Each author or group of authors with products from handicraft villages can submit one or more products to the competition. The products must not have participated in any other national or international competition.

The authors or groups of authors must be responsible for the intellectual property rights. In the case of works by groups of authors, the submissions must be accompanied by a written agreement of the authors authorizing one of them to act as their representative.

The Organizing Committee has decided to award 56 prizes to products belonging to the five groups mentioned above. There will be one special prize, five first prizes, 10 second prizes, 15 third prizes, and 25 consolation prizes.

The deadline for the applications is September 20 or they can be submitted directly to the Organizing Committee of the Competition at the Hanoi Rural Development Sub-Department, No.73 Le Hong Phong Street, Nguyen Trai Ward, Ha Dong District.

In addition to prizes, organizations and individuals participating in the competition will receive design advice, inspiration, and guidance from leading experts. Winning products will be displayed at the awards ceremony, promoted in publications and media, and at national and international trade promotion events.

At present, Hanoi has 806 handicraft villages, of which 48 have been recognized as traditional craft villages. The city's top priority is to maintain close ties with raw material areas to ensure a steady supply for the craft villages.

As one of the localities with the largest number of handicraft villages in Vietnam, Hanoi has always been considered the cradle of high-quality traditional products that are widely recognized by local and international consumers. This advantage contributes to boosting Hanoi's economy and improving people's living standards.

The city authorities have drawn up a plan to promote the advantages of handicraft tourism, encouraging local people to engage in tourism activities, preserving and promoting the traditional values of handicrafts and local culture.