The Hanoi Department of Tourism on March 2 organized a conference on developing traditional handicrafts for tourism purposes and preparing typical souvenirs for the upcoming big events in the city, Hanoimoi reported.

Some popular souvenirs in Hanoi. Photo: Internet

The event attracted participation of many artisans from a number of craft villages and manufacturers in the field of handicrafts and tourism gifts in Hanoi. They were represents from Chuong village that specializes in conical hats, bamboo dragonfly making Thach Xa village, Bat Trang pottery village, Xuan La making rice figurines, Van Phuc producing silk, among others.

According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, Hanoi currently has more than 1,300 traditional craft villages, which hold great potential for developing tourism in the capital city.

The department’s Director Tran Duc Hai said that over the recent years, Hanoi’s traditional trade villages have made efforts in building its own attractive tourist products.

Hai stressed that craft village tourism will be promoted to revive the domestic market in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic wreaking havoc on the local economy.

However, many souvenirs in Hanoi have not been iconic and attractive enough to tourists because of poor designs, Hai admitted.

He added that, in the time ahead, Hanoi will host many international political, cultural and sporting events. Souvenir and gift businesses and craft villages need to anticipate these events and closely work together to improve production quality and designs.

Besides, craft villages should apply science and technology to promote and introduce products more widely to domestic and foreign tourists, Hai said.