The 29th Artigiano International Handicraft Fair is taking place at the Milan Exhibition Centre, Italy, bringing together nearly 3,400 businesses from 100 countries, including those from Vietnam.

Vietnamese pavilion at the fair.

Covering over 100 square metres, the Vietnamese pavilion features an open, elegant design reflecting contemporary Asian aesthetics. It serves not only as a display area but also as a cultural bridge, enabling European visitors to experience the artistic and culinary heritage of Vietnam.

Ten reputable enterprises from Hanoi and other localities are showcasing a diverse collection of handicraft products, including ceramics, silk, bamboo and rattan ware, alongside high-quality agricultural OCOP products such as tea, coffee, cashew nuts and dried fruit. Their presence underscores the message of harmonising traditional craftsmanship with modern export standards.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on December 6, Enrico Brambilla, Secretary General of the Milan Handicrafts Federation, expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s consistent participation, highlighting the strong potential of Vietnamese ceramics, silk and lacquerware in appealing to Italian aesthetics. He pledged support for Vietnam’s participation in Artigiano 2026.

For her part, Nguyen Thu Ha, Charge d’Affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy, proposed enhanced cooperation in sharing market insights, providing data on consumer trends and strengthening business connectivity.

Antonio Intiglietta, Chairman and CEO of Gestione Fiere, praised the unique, distinctive and colourful character of Vietnamese products, noting their strong cultural appeal to international consumers.

Through discussions with Italian partners, both sides emphasised the importance of long-term cooperation to promote sustainable development in the handicraft sector and position OCOP products as cultural ambassadors in Europe.

First held in 1996, the Artigiano fair is the world’s largest gathering of handicraft producers, organised annually ahead of Christmas. Vietnamese enterprises, participating since the early 2000s, continue to strengthen their presence, with 2025 marking another successful step toward conquering the European market.

Hanoi Giftshow 2025 showcases Vietnam’s craftsmanship

Hanoi Giftshow 2025, underway at the National Exhibition on Architecture, Planning and Construction with 450 booths from domestic and international businesses, is expected to attract more than 18,000 visitors, both onsite and online.

 

Ample room for Vietnamese furniture, handicraft exports to EU

Vietnamese products, particularly home and outdoor décor, handicrafts, fashion, gifts, and lifestyle goods enjoy ample growth potential in the EU market thanks to its strong purchasing power, diverse demand, and high market openness.

 

Preservation and promotion of traditional craft village heritage

According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, there are more than 5,400 craft villages nationwide, of which the Red River Delta region alone has about 1,500 villages, with around 300 recognised as traditional craft villages.

 

Traditional woodcraft villages’ aspiration to revive

Bac Ninh – Once vibrant centers of artisanal woodcraft, traditional furniture-making villages in northern Vietnam such as Dong Ky, Huong Mac and Phu Khe are now grappling with a prolonged downturn. The hum of saws and chisels that once echoed through these communities has largely fallen silent, as artisans struggle to adapt to changing markets and economic headwinds.

Ha Noi connects supply and demand of input materials for handicraft industry with Northern provinces

The Ha Noi Department of Industry and Trade on August 2 held a conference on connecting supply and demand of input materials for the handicraft industry between Ha Noi and the Northern provinces.

 

Bac Ninh spreads essence of traditional crafts

BAC NINH – With deep love for their crafts and national culture, many artisans in Bac Ninh province have tirelessly preserved and passed down the essence of their hometown’s traditional crafts. Quietly, they connect the past with the present and open new lifelines for the future of craft villages.