This visit was part of an event showcasing and demonstrating traditional handicraft production, coinciding with the official recognition of Bat Trang Ceramic Village and Van Phuc Silk Village as members of the World Crafts Creative Cities network.
The delegation visits Van Phuc Silk Village.
The delegation included Mr. Sa'ad al-Qaddumi, President of the World Crafts Council, and Ms. Jude Van der Merwe, President of the World Crafts Council for the Asia-Pacific region. The delegation also featured three governors from the Republic of Uzbekistan and 23 international artisans from nine countries: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, India, Bhutan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, and Kyrgyzstan, who participated in exhibitions and demonstrations of handicraft creation.
Welcoming the delegation were representatives from the Hanoi Handicraft Association, the Hanoi Rural Development Sub-Department, and the Institute of Cultural and Artistic Economics. Also present were leaders from Ha Dong District, including Ms. Tran Thi Luong An, Vice Chairwoman of the Ha Dong District People's Committee, along with representatives from the district's Economic Department and Van Phuc Ward.
During the visit, the delegation offered incense at the Van Phuc Silk Weaving Ancestor Temple and attended performances of Vietnam's intangible cultural heritage, including hau dong spiritual singing, ca tru classical singing, and xam folk singing, organized by the Hanoi Cultural Center at the communal house courtyard.
Signing cooperation agreement between Van Phuc and Margilan Province (Uzbekistan).
The delegation then visited several renowned silk weaving workshops, including that of artisan Do Van Hien, who specializes in intricate silk patterns, and the weaving workshop of artisan Trieu Van Mao. They also toured the dyeing facility of artisan Minh Tuyet. At Van Phuc Communal House, dedicated to the village's guardian deity, delegates learned about its historical significance, including its connection to the village's founder, who gathered settlers to establish Van Bao (now Van Phuc Ward), taught literacy, and introduced traditional silk weaving.
The delegation's activities.
On this occasion, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Van Phuc (Vietnam) and Margilan Province (Uzbekistan) in the presence of delegates. In a spirit of openness, solidarity, and cooperation, the leaders of Ha Dong District People's Committee and Van Phuc Ward presented commemorative gifts to the World Crafts Council delegation and the three governors of the Republic of Uzbekistan.