The 2024 Exhibition of Creative Handicraft Designs is underway at Phung Khac Khoan Flower Square in Hanoi's Thach That District to promote creative handicraft designs and products.

The exhibition, which runs until November 17, aims to support enterprises, cooperatives and rural industrial workshops in the production and marketing of handicrafts.

About 600 innovative and inventive handicrafts were displayed in 100 booths spread over 5,000 square meters. In addition, there were about 350 items that were either developed from recently patented designs or based on innovative concepts.

"The event offers live demonstrations by skilled artisans and craftsmen, and the opportunity to interact with local and international artisans to learn more about production practices in rural areas," Pham Viet Kien, a young designer, told The Hanoi Times.

Nguyen Dinh Thang, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade (middle) and delegates cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. Photo: VGP

In his opening speech, Nguyen Dinh Thang, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, said that in recent years, craft villages in Hanoi have contributed 6% of the city's total export turnover through the production of handicrafts.

"The exhibition is one of the activities of the capital's industry and trade sector to support craft villages, artisans, experts and young designers in Thach That District and Hanoi to introduce new and creative handicrafts and designs," Thang said.

He added that this is an opportunity for those who love and are interested in handicrafts to admire creative works with aesthetic value and high applicability in many different areas of life.

The event is also a prerequisite for establishing a trading floor for new and creative handicraft designs and models in Hanoi, creating an environment for information exchange and effective consultation on handicraft product designs between designers and enterprises in the handicraft industry, Thang stressed.

Hoang Minh Lam, Director of Industrial Promotion and Development Consulting Center, told The Hanoi Times that participants will have access to the latest designs and products from skilled artisans, experts and young designers, helping to put these designs into production and effectively meet consumer demand.

“The exhibition contributes to the development of the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program in Hanoi, promoting local products, and encouraging trade among residents and businesses,” said the director.

A hand-made piece of driftwood is on display at the exhibition. Photo: Anh Kiet/The Hanoi Times

Creatively designed and handcrafted products bear the imprint of local culture.

Ceramic products are meticulously and skillfully crafted by the talented hands of artisans.

Visitors can touch and feel the handcrafted products.

Many ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress) models with different and sophisticated designs are presented at the exhibition..

Copper products such as Buddha statues, bells, worship items and decorations on display at the exhibition are meticulously and delicately crafted, carrying the traditional culture and art.

The products are applicable and tell historical stories of Hanoi.

The exhibition provides consumers with easy access to unique and high quality handcrafted products that have been meticulously and skillfully crafted.