HÀ NỘI — The 2026 Vietnam Craft Village Fair and an agricultural and rural tourism promotion week opened in Hà Nội on October 9, linking heritage preservation with market development.

Running until October 12, the events are organised by the Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and will include around 100 booths from 19 provinces and cities.

Now in its 22nd year, the fair is showcasing a wide range of products, including traditional handicrafts, fine arts and products certified under the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme at three stars or above, as well as distinctive goods from different regions.

Centre director Nguyễn Minh Tiến said preserving traditional crafts must go hand in hand with ensuring that artisans can earn a sustainable living from their work.

Market expansion is critical to develop craft villages as well as the rural economy, he said.

Tiến said the combination of the craft fair, tourism promotion activities and the handicraft competition is intended to build a value chain linking traditional craft preservation with product innovation, promotion, visitor experiences, tourism development, market connections and sales.

The programme aims to help craft village products, OCOP goods and rural tourism destinations reach consumers, businesses, commercial partners and visitors, turning traditional values into drivers of sustainable rural economic development.

Organisers are encouraging artisans and production establishments to improve product quality, update designs to meet contemporary consumer preferences and strengthen links with distributors, supermarkets and e-commerce platforms.

Digital transformation is also a focus, with livestream sessions on TikTok Shop promoting and selling handicrafts and OCOP products.

QR codes on exhibited products enable visitors to access information about their origins and other details, improving transparency and market accessibility.

The rural and agricultural tourism promotion week also introduces local cultural identities, destinations and tourism products, and seeks to connect rural tourism operators with travel companies, organisations and schools.

Featured models include five-star OCOP-certified initiatives, craft village tourism, ecotourism, circular tourism, medicinal plant-based tourism and tourism experiences beneath forest canopies.

At the opening ceremony, organisers also presented 2026 Vietnam Handicraft Product awards to 55 entries, including five first prizes, 10 second prizes, 15 third prizes and 25 consolation prizes. 

The entries showcased diverse materials and craftsmanship techniques while combining traditional cultural values with innovation in design and production. — VNS