Hanoi (VNA)🍎 – A ceremony was held on February 14 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Hanoi, to officially recognise Bat Trang Pottery Village and Van Phuc Silk Village as members of the World Craft Cities Network.

Speaking at the event, Saad al-Qaddumi, President of the World Crafts Council, praised Vietnam, particularly its traditional craft villages, for their longstanding reputation in producing exquisite handmade goods that have been carefully preserved and developed over centuries. From the delicate ceramics of Bat Trang to the soft silk of Van Phuc, these crafts are not merely livelihoods but also vivid symbols of Vietnamese culture, creativity, and resilience, he stated. The World Crafts Council President highlighted that, despite facing numerous historical challenges and the risk of fading into obscurity (like many other craft communities worldwide), Vietnam’s traditional villages have experienced a remarkable revival and strong development. This, he emphasised, is a clear testament to the perseverance and resilience of the Vietnamese people. Over the past 40 years, the Vietnamese Government has consistently invested in reviving and expanding traditional crafts, including Bat Trang ceramics and Van Phuc silk. These efforts have not only restored intricate craft techniques but also created new economic opportunities, particularly for women, empowering them to participate in the economy while preserving cultural heritage for future generations. “As we honour these two villages today, we also recognise the determination and efforts of the Vietnamese people, who have not only safeguarded their cultural identity but also elevated their traditional crafts to global prominence,” al-Qaddumi affirmed.

The World Crafts Council President also expressed his delight at Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to nominate additional traditional craft villages for international recognition, saying he believes that these nominations will continue to highlight the rich artistic heritage of the country.

Hanoi is home to the highest numbers of craft villages and artisans in Vietnam, with ൲The World Crafts Council President also expressed his delight at Vietnam’s ongoing efforts toThese villages, known for their distinctive craftsmanship, produce unique goods deeply rooted in local culture and highly competitive in both domestic and international markets. The products range from ceramics, weaving, embroidery, and wood carving to agricultural processing.

Hanoi’s craft villages have played a crucial role in rural economic transformation, contributing significantly to the “One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) programme and the city’s new style rural area development. Blending tradition with modern innovation, these villages are steadily cementing their global market presence.

Hanoi’s handcraft products are now exported to over 40 countries and territories, including Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and several EU nations𒊎 such as Italy, Germany, and Sweden. Key export categories include textiles, ceramics, silk, embroidery, bamboo and rattan products, lacquerware, mother-of-pearl inlays, and fine woodwork./.