This occasion presents an opportunity for craft villages to promote their image and products globally. It serves as a foundation for exchange and learning, allowing artisans to create products that meet contemporary consumer demands while preserving their cultural essence and heritage.

Nguyen Van Chi, Head of the Rural Development Sub-Department and Standing Deputy Chief of the Coordination Office for New Rural Development in Hanoi, stated that after a rigorous evaluation process, Bat Trang Ceramic Village and Van Phuc Silk Weaving Village have been officially recognized as members of the World Network of Creative Craft Cities. These are the first two traditional craft villages in Vietnam to be approved as members of this prestigious network.

This achievement reinforces Hanoi's position on the global cultural map and provides craft villages with opportunities to enhance their competitiveness, preserve traditional values, expand their market reach, foster international cultural exchange, and promote sustainable development.

The World Crafts Council (WCC-International), headquartered in Kuwait City, is a nonprofit international organization established in 1964. Its mission is to promote the conservation, development, and advancement of global and traditional crafts. The council oversees five regional councils: the Asia-Pacific Craft Council, the European Craft Council, the African Craft Council, the North American Craft Council, and the South American Craft Council. 

To date, the World Crafts Council has over 100 member countries. Over its 60-year history, the council has recognized 68 world craft villages across 27 countries. Bat Trang Ceramic Village and Van Phuc Silk Weaving Village in Hanoi are the 67th and 68th villages to receive this recognition, making Vietnam the 28th country to have an officially recognized world craft village.

"The inclusion of Hanoi's traditional craft villages in the World Network of Creative Craft Cities brings significant value and benefits. It enhances the promotion of images, brands, and products, allowing Hanoi's craft villages to be officially and widely introduced to domestic and international consumers," Chi said.

Bat Trang Ceramic Village is situated along the Red River. Known as the cradle of Vietnamese ceramics, Bat Trang embodies an enduring spirit of creativity. With a history spanning more than 500 years, the village is home to skilled artisans who have preserved and revived ancient ceramic styles from the Ly, Tran, Le, and Mac dynasties. The meticulous glaze application and precise kiln-firing techniques ensure that Bat Trang ceramics achieve a perfect balance of form and color. 

The village serves as a bridge between Vietnam's traditional and modern ceramic craftsmanship. Bat Trang's ceramic products are not only aesthetically refined but also diverse in design, making them increasingly popular among consumers both domestically and internationally.

Alongside Bat Trang's ceramics, the softness and elegance of Van Phuc silk have long been a source of pride for the people of Hanoi, symbolizing sophistication and refinement. With a history spanning thousands of years, generations of artisans in Van Phuc have preserved and developed the art of silk weaving. Their silk is not only rich in color but also exquisite in design, featuring intricate patterns. 

Today, Van Phuc Silk Weaving Village remains a renowned tourist destination in the capital, where visitors can explore and appreciate the traditional craftsmanship of Vietnam's ancestors.