Overview of the meeting.
Nguyen Xuan Luu, member of the Standing Board of the Hanoi Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, on May 8 welcomed a World Craft Council delegation attending the ceremony recognizing Chuyen My mother-of-pearl lacquerware village and Son Dong fine wood sculpture village as members of the World Crafts Cities Network.
The Vice Chairman and the international delegation also attended the opening of an exhibition, demonstration and creation event featuring traditional handicraft products.
The delegation from the World Crafts Council included Dr. Darlie Oommen Koshy, Vice President; Nadia Meer, Additional Region Director for Africa; Chiqui Veneracion, Vice President of the Philippine handicrafts association; Luz Mary Correa Hernández, Vice President of the Colombian handicrafts association; Kevin Muray, former Vice President of the World Crafts Council and Editor in Chief of Garland Craft Magazine; and Sampath Erahapola, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Crafts Council.
Speaking at the reception, Hanoi Vice Chairman Nguyen Xuan Luu expressed his pleasure at welcoming representatives of the World Crafts Council to the capital city on behalf of Hanoi leaders.
He emphasized that the delegates' presence at the event demonstrates the increasingly strong friendship and cooperation between Hanoi and the World Crafts Council.
Providing information about the capital's craft village potential, Luu said Hanoi currently has 337 craft villages, traditional craft villages and traditional trades officially recognized by the Hanoi People's Committee.
"Each craft village carries its own identity with unique products deeply reflecting Thang Long-Hanoi culture and possessing strong competitiveness in both domestic and international markets," he said.
Among them, Chuyen My mother-of-pearl lacquerware village and Son Dong fine sculpture village are considered outstanding symbols of cultural excellence, creativity and the masterful craftsmanship of Hanoi artisans.
"The recognition of these two craft villages by the World Crafts Council is a deserving acknowledgment of the cultural, historical and artistic values they represent," Luu emphasized.
Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Luu speaks at the meeting, expecting Hanoi and the World Craft Council to further elaborate their relations.
According to the Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, the event helps affirm Hanoi's position on the global handicraft map while motivating the city to continue preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, advancing craft village tourism and expanding international cooperation in handicrafts.
Appreciating the World Crafts Council's support for Hanoi's craft village development in recent years, Luu described it as an important foundation for strengthening experience sharing, cultural exchange, trade cooperation and sustainable development of traditional craft villages.
He said that in order to further promote handicrafts, Hanoi hopes to strengthen cooperation with the World Crafts Council in areas such as sharing experience in preserving and developing craft villages linked with sustainable tourism and supporting training programs to improve artisans' skills.
The city also seeks to encourage innovation in handicraft production, expand market connections between Hanoi and member countries and coordinate international events and exhibitions promoting craft village products and traditional culture.
On this occasion, Luu invited the World Crafts Council and craft villages within the global creative craft cities network to attend the first International Festival for Preservation and Development of Craft Villages, expected to take place in Hanoi in November 2026.
"Hanoi hopes to continue close and effective cooperation with the World Crafts Council in investment and trade promotion, thereby contributing to handicraft development and strengthening cultural connections among nations," he said.
Speaking at the reception, Dr. Darlie Oommen Koshy thanked Hanoi leaders for inviting delegates to participate in the program and said his experiences in the capital left deep impressions because of its beauty and distinctive cultural identity.
According to Darlie Oommen Koshy, Hanoi possesses a remarkably large number of craft villages, many of which have been strongly preserved and developed.
He noted that craft villages not only create economically valuable products but also serve as cultural symbols containing the essence, spirit and stories of artisans to share with domestic and international audiences.
He also congratulated Hanoi for having two additional craft villages, Phu Vinh bamboo and rattan weaving village and Son Dong sculpture village, recognized as members of the World Crafts Cities Network following Bat Trang pottery village and Van Phuc silk village, which received similar recognition at the end of 2025.
Currently, the global craft village network includes 85 member villages. According to Dr. Darlie Oommen Koshy, connections among craft villages have created important momentum for economic development while opening opportunities to promote traditional culture internationally.
Dr. Darlie Oommen Koshy, Vice President of the World Craft Council, speaks at the meeting.
He expressed hope that more Vietnamese craft villages would join the network in the future to strengthen cooperation, exchange and sustainable development.
Discussing the preservation and promotion of traditional handicraft values, Darlie Oommen Koshy said craft village products should be brought closer to younger generations, while handicraft education should be expanded within universities.
The WCC AISBL representative emphasized that the organization will connect artisans with educational institutions to demonstrate and introduce traditional crafts, thereby inspiring appreciation and emotional connection among young people toward handicraft products.
At the reception, Hanoi leaders presented international delegates with outstanding products representing the excellence of Hanoi's traditional craft villages.