The Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has awarded 90 prizes to the best entries in the 2024 Handicraft Design Competition, held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the capital. 

Of the total 90 awards, six designs took the first prize, 18 earned the second prize, 24 merited the third prize, and 42 received the consolation prize.

The Organizing Committee awards the First Prize to the winners. Photos: VGP

Under the theme "Creative Design - Convergence of Elites", the competition attracted 423 handicrafts and product sets from 183 individuals and organizations. The entries range from mother-of-pearl inlay, wood, horn, bronze and stone, lacquer, bamboo and rattan, and ceramics to silk and embroidery products.

The judging criteria are based on creativity, marketability, environmental friendliness, and appropriateness to cultural traditions.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Hoang Minh Lam, Director of the Center for Industrial Promotion and Industrial Development Consultancy, said that new materials have been introduced in a balanced mix to make each product unique and elegant. In addition to the traditional process, the use of science and technology in craft manufacturing brings both modernity and artistry to the designs.

He added that the competition aims to encourage individuals and organizations in the city to creatively bring their designs to life and diversify the list of handicrafts for the city. The contest is also expected to promote the image, culture, and people of Hanoi and the traditions of Vietnamese craft villages to the international community.

"Artisans are also encouraged to adopt clean production methods to produce eco-friendly handicrafts, reduce environmental pollution, and meet the standards of sustainable development," said the director.

Award-winning products at the 2024 Handicraft Design Competition are displayed at the Hanoi Gift Show 2024 which is ongoing in the capital city.

The contest was launched in June 2024. It is part of the 2024 Hanoi Gifts Show, which runs from October 10 to 13. The winning designs are now on display at the show at the National Planning, Construction and Architecture Exhibition Center.

Hanoi is home to 1,350 artisan villages that produce diverse, sophisticated, and high-quality products. Some of them have gained a firm foothold in the market. Among them, 318 have been certified as traditional handicraft villages.

According to the city government, Hanoi will continue to support capable and potential places to develop community-based tourism and traditional craft village tourism in the coming period.

The Hanoi Gift Show 2024 is underway in the capital city from October 10 to 14, with the view to promoting municipal efforts to facilitate business environment and sustainable development.

The delegates visit one of the booths presented at the trade show.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Dinh Thang said the fair is part of the activities to mark the 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day (October 10, 1954-2024) and supports businesses in boosting production, trade, and digital commerce, contributing to market stability and growth.

As one of Vietnam's largest handicrafts fairs with more than 450 booths from local and international handicraft companies, the five-day event is expected to attract more than 17,000 visitors, providing an important platform for businesses to promote products, find new partners, and expand markets.

Unique handicrafts will be displayed, reflecting the creativity and skill of the artisans, while creating favorable conditions for new business networking. Participants can benefit from online promotion and marketing support on e-commerce channels after the event.

Over the past decade, the Hanoi Gift Show has become a leading handicraft export fair in the Asia-Pacific region, with participation from more than 30 countries. The fair has facilitated thousands of contracts and contributed significantly to the annual growth of Vietnam's handicraft exports, averaging 6-8%. 

Many unique handicrafts attract visitors at the Hanoi Gift Show 2024.