The program "Quintessence of Handicraft Villages, OCOP Products, Sustainable Consumption Development in Hanoi" will be held in the outskirts of Phu Xuyen District (about 40 kilometers from downtown Hanoi) to promote eco-tourism and a network of sustainable production and consumption.

The program is jointly held by the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) and Phu Xuyen District People's Committee to honor the Phu Xuyen Handicraft Village.

The event features 130 booths showcasing nearly 1,000 agricultural products, processed foods, and typical One Commune One Product (OCOP) goods from Phu Xuyen District and Hanoi, as well as 15 other provinces and cities across the country.

The program, which runs from October 26 to 29, aims to develop the agricultural and rural tourism economy in Hanoi in the period 2022-2025, combined with new-style rural construction.

Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen and delegates cut the ribbon to open the event on October 26 evening. Photos: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

The open space of the program presented rural development models in addition to agrotourism models. In addition, a range of activities have been held, including skill demonstrations by artisans from craft villages, performances of traditional intangible heritage arts and folk games, auctions of outstanding products, and others.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Secretary of Phu Xuyen District Party Committee Nguyen Xuan Thanh said that in promoting traditional craft villages with hundreds of years of history, the district has focused on creating many new and diverse products and designs, imbued with the unique culture of each craft village.

Secretary of Phu Xuyen District Party Committee Nguyen Xuan Thanh speaks at the event’s opening ceremony.

"Our products have been exported to foreign markets. The development of craft villages has created jobs for the majority of workers in the locality and surrounding areas, improved people's lives, and contributed greatly to the development of rural areas and the socio-economic development of the district," the official said.

He stressed that this is an opportunity for the government and people of Phu Xuyen District to strengthen the potential of agriculture and OCOP products, the quintessence of handicraft villages, to promote the culture, history, and achievements of the district to tourists.

Opening great opportunities

In an interview with The Hanoi Times, Le Van Binh, Chairman of Phu Xuyen District People's Committee, stressed that all 154 villages and residential areas in the district have their own typical products. Among them, 43 have been recognized by the city government and have a strong foothold in the hearts of consumers at home and abroad.

"Experiencing the ups and downs of history, our district has confirmed the role and position of traditional handicrafts in economic, cultural, and social development, opening up great opportunities to promote the products of traditional handicrafts villages in both domestic and foreign markets. The 4th annual festival is expected to enhance the brand value and preserve the value of traditional craft villages while promoting trade links and consumption of Hanoi's agricultural products," Binh said.

Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen and Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People's Committee Vu Thu Ha and delegates launch "Phu Xuyen District e-commerce platform".

During the festival, organizers also launched Phu Xuyen District's e-commerce platform. Nguyen Trong Vinh, deputy chairman of the district's People's Committee, told The Hanoi Times that the application of digital economy platforms in production and value chain development in craft villages is still in its infancy.

"Some craft villages apply digital transformation in product promotion, introduction, and online sales channels. The district government has set up an e-commerce platform that consolidates the typical products of craft villages in one place. Therefore, customers can now only access the district's e-commerce platform to find products, suppliers, and customers, as well as brand promotion, Vinh said.

He stressed that Phu Xuyen District's e-commerce platform is expected to open up new ways in the digital transformation of craft villages.