Unique quintessence of Hanoi's craft villages at the National Achievements Exhibition

The exhibition space showcasing Hanoi's traditional craft villages attracts many locals and tourists. Photo: Hoang Lan

Hundreds of professions converge

Hanoi is known as the "land of a hundred crafts," boasting over 1,300 traditional craft villages. Many products from these villages have established their own brands in both domestic and international markets. Numerous handicraft products from these villages have become unique gifts that anyone visiting the capital wants to buy. At the National Achievements Exhibition, in the handicraft exhibition space themed "The Splendor of Hanoi," the city of Hanoi showcased hundreds of typical craft village products such as Bat Trang ceramics, Thiet Ung handicrafts, Chuong village conical hats, Thuy Ung horn combs, and Phu Vinh rattan and bamboo weaving…

The booth displaying conical hats from Chuong village by artisan Ta Thu Huong at the Hanoi Traditional and Creative Space 2025, part of the National Achievements Exhibition, has been bustling with visitors. Ms. Huong said that since August 28th, when the exhibition opened, many locals and tourists have visited the Hanoi space, and her booth has been constantly busy. The Chuong village conical hat products on display include about 30 designs, among which are handcrafted hats painted with lotus flowers and other motifs specifically created to commemorate the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2nd, which are very popular with the public.

Artisan Ta Thu Huong introduces conical hat products from Chuong village. Photo: Hoang Lan

In particular, conical hats painted with the red flag with a yellow star were the most popular choice among tourists. During this year's holiday, Ms. Huong's workshop made over 10,000 conical hats with the red flag and yellow star design for sale. In addition, Ms. Huong also displayed many larger-sized hats to allow people to take photos and check in.

“The conical hats of Chuong village have been famous for hundreds of years. We hope that through this exhibition, we can further spread the essence of Hanoi's traditional hat-making craft. Today, Chuong village hats have continuously innovated in design to keep pace with trends and the needs of the public, especially young people.”

Near Ms. Huong's booth was the display of Thuy Ung horn combs by artisan Nguyen Van Su. To prepare for the exhibition, Mr. Su and his family spent many days preparing and arranging everything neatly and attractively. Besides horn combs, artisan Nguyen Van Su's booth also showcased many horn-based health-related items such as beauty tools and massage tools.

Artisan Nguyen Van Su demonstrates how to make horn combs. Photo: Hoang Lan

“The products are entirely handmade. For many years, Thuy Ung craft village has continuously changed designs and researched more essential items to create. Currently, in addition to making traditional horn combs, we also make more than 40 other product designs, which are very popular with domestic and international tourists,” Mr. Nguyen Van Su expressed.

At his family's booth, in addition to introducing products, artisan Nguyen Van Su also directly performs the craft techniques to further introduce the quintessence of his craft village.

Within the Hanoi craft village exhibition space, the area showcasing fine art wood carvings from Thiet Ung village is also a highlight that attracts visitors. The exquisitely carved wooden statues demonstrate the skill of the craftsmen. The two exhibition booths of the distinguished artisan Do Van Cuong have a unique appeal to the public, not only because of the talent of the artisans but also because of the hidden stories behind the exquisite wooden statues.

Meritorious artisan Do Van Cuong and wood carving artisans from Thiet Ung craft village practice and demonstrate their craft to the public. Photo: Hoang Lan.

“We bring the most unique products of artisans and skilled workers. At the craft demonstration area, we send highly skilled artisans to spread the traditional values of the craft village,” Mr. Cuong expressed.

Unique Hanoi handicrafts

At the "Tradition and Creativity of Hanoi 2025" space, within the framework of the Exhibition of Socio -Economic Achievements on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025) with the theme "80 Years of the Journey of Independence - Freedom - Happiness", the public had the opportunity to admire many unique traditional craft products.

Vietnam's record wooden painting "Returning home in glory to pay respect to ancestors". Photo: Hoang Lan

For example, the "Hanoi's Quintessence" area is a space that honors traditional handicraft values, nurtured through the ups and downs of nation-building and defense history. Here, the public can admire exquisite handcrafted products such as the hand-carved woodblock print "Vinh Quy Bai To" by artisan Bui Trong Quan, recognized as a Vietnamese Record; and sophisticated ceramic products in various large sizes, showcasing the finest craftsmanship of traditional artisans.

In this space, besides admiring the outstanding achievements of the craft villages, visitors can also see typical cultural symbols of Thang Long - Hanoi such as the One Pillar Pagoda and Khue Van Cac, which not only create a visual impression but also remind us of the historical origins and cultural depth, contributing to highlighting the spiritual value of the handcrafted products.

As a visitor to the Hanoi city exhibition space, Mr. Bui Trong Han ( from Hai Phong ) shared that he was very impressed with the products from Hanoi's craft villages. "I am very impressed with the handmade handicrafts, which show the skill, meticulousness, and essence preserved for many generations," Mr. Han expressed.

Mr. Bui Trong Han, a tourist from Hai Phong, looks at an exquisite ceramic work. Photo: Hoang Lan

Within the Hanoi craft village exhibition space, there is also a craft village demonstration area called "The Quintessence of Craft Streets," a meeting place for talented artisans – the silent "soldiers of peacetime" who protect and pass on the flame of traditional crafts. Here, visitors can listen to the stories of the ups and downs of the craft, feel the intense love for the craft, and the burning desire to preserve the essence and soul of the craft passed down from their ancestors.

The space is also an intersection between tangible and intangible heritage, between artisans' hands and the flow of trade and tourism, contributing to positioning Hanoi as a creative destination and leading cultural tourism center of the region and the world.

The "Tradition and Innovation of Hanoi 2025" space (opposite Hall H1 of the Vietnam Exhibition Center) is one of the impressive highlights at the "80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness" National Achievements Exhibition. This space not only celebrates the thousand-year cultural journey of the capital city but also affirms the harmonious interplay between tradition and innovation, between heritage and creativity. The event contributes to affirming Hanoi's position – the heart of the nation – as it rises to new heights in the new era, accompanying the nation's strong transformation.

Activities in the space continue until September 5, 2025 at the Vietnam Exhibition Center (VEC), Km5+890 Truong Sa Road - Dong Anh - Hanoi.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/doc-dao-tinh-hoa-lang-nghe-ha-noi-tai-trien-lam-thanh-tuu-dat-nuoc-714630.html