Western visitors are amazed by the talent of Vietnamese artisans.

Silk, wooden products, handmade ceramics... at the 2025 International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival at Thang Long Imperial Citadel made a strong impression on visitors.

The 2025 International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival brings together hundreds of heritage booths of many ethnic groups in Vietnam and international friends, with an area of ​​over 4,000m². The festival space is arranged according to many themes such as: Honor, Heritage & Conservation, Special Exhibition, Exchange of international artisans and artists and OCOP culinary experience.

Besides the check-in corners, the brightly decorated check-in corners are vividly arranged, harmoniously combining to honor the cultural beauty of ethnic groups, there are also booths displaying traditional crafts that become attractions for domestic and foreign tourists.

Hand-weaving silk demonstration at the 2025 International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival, Hanoi . Photo: Tuong Vy

British tourists Mabel McCormick and Jake Gutrige said they learned about the festival through a recommendation from their hotel and decided to visit to explore Vietnamese culture. They were particularly impressed by the displays of weaving, woodworking and ceramics, and spent a lot of time observing the artisans at work.

Mabel said she was attracted by the patterns and motifs that symbolize Vietnamese culture on ceramics and wood. Meanwhile, Jake was impressed by the materials and colors of traditional Vietnamese costumes such as ancient costumes, ao dai and ethnic brocade costumes.

Two British tourists spent a lot of time observing artisans directly making traditional handicraft products at the festival. Photo: Tuong Vy

The two tourists said that in their homeland, there are rarely festivals that honor culture in such a profound way. Although they have visited many European countries, they said that they have mostly only seen small markets or exhibitions, but have never experienced a space that recreates traditional craft villages on a large scale like in Vietnam.

“Thanks to this experience, our trip became much more interesting. I could understand more deeply about the history, crafts and cultural identity of Vietnam. Everything was wonderful and meaningful. This is what I will remember most about the trip,” Mabel expressed.

Many international tourists, in addition to visiting and learning about some craft villages and handicrafts reproduced and displayed at Thang Long Imperial Citadel, also buy souvenirs for their relatives.

Some traditional activities and handicrafts that impressed many domestic and foreign tourists at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Tuong Vy/Le Tuyen

Laia Esteban, a tourist from Spain, said that among the exhibition areas, she was most impressed with the Vietnamese booth, especially the traditional costumes. Laia said that walking through the booths helped her discover many new things about the handicrafts and cultural life of the Vietnamese people.

“I bought conical hats and some beautiful handicrafts and brocade shirts here as gifts for my relatives. The festival really made me want to have more opportunities to learn more about Vietnamese culture in the remaining days of the trip,” she said.

The Spanish female tourist bought some souvenirs for her relatives back home. Photo: Tuong Vy

Some unique handicrafts at the international stall. Photo: Tuong Vy

Besides check-in spaces and stalls recreating Vietnamese craft villages, visitors can also experience many stalls selling jewelry, international costumes...

In addition, the Festival also organizes an international Artisan - Artist Exchange space, experiences unique OCOP cuisine of the regions... The festival takes place from November 14 to 18, the 2025 International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival is a place to honor the quintessence of Vietnamese craft villages, combining tradition and international integration.