Bat Trang and Van Phuc join global network of creative craft cities

Currently, the city has 1,350 craft villages and villages with occupations, of which 337 craft villages and traditional craft villages have been recognized.

Recently, Bat Trang ceramics and Van Phuc silk weaving villages have officially joined the global network of creative craft cities, opening up opportunities to promote products to the world, and at the same time being a premise for learning and creating products that meet contemporary consumer needs while still preserving the indigenous spirit.

Silk weaving in Van Phuc. Photo: Provided by the Organizing Committee.

In November 2023, the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was assigned by the Hanoi People's Committee to sign a memorandum of understanding with the World Craft Council. From the beginning of 2024, the department proactively advised the city to coordinate with the World Craft Council to complete the dossier to recognize the two craft villages of Bat Trang ceramics and Van Phuc silk as members of the global network of creative craft cities.

With the coordination of the Vietnam Handicraft Export Association and the participation of localities and enthusiastic response of artisans of the two craft villages; both craft villages have met the selection criteria of the World Craft Council based on 4 pillars: economy, culture, society, and environment.

This set of criteria emphasizes global recognition, local innovation, cooperation opportunities and environmental protection factors in the production process. Craft villages have also demonstrated their ability to connect and cooperate internationally, and are willing to learn from friends around the world to enrich their knowledge and techniques. Craft villages also have many artisans who work with passion, passing the torch from generation to generation, not only to preserve but also to develop their traditional culture. Finally, the community factor is indispensable.

Meeting and surpassing these criteria has paved the way for Vietnamese craft villages, including Bat Trang and Van Phuc, to join the global network of creative craft cities. The international jury visited and evaluated Bat Trang and Van Phuc craft villages in October 2024 and highly appreciated the achievements of the craft villages and artisans. Many artisans of the two craft villages created many emotions with the survey team of the World Craft Council.

After the assessment and evaluation process, the two craft villages of Bat Trang ceramics and Van Phuc silk weaving have been officially recognized as members of the global network of creative craft cities.

Bat Trang pottery. Photo: Duong Dinh Tuong.

These are the first two traditional craft villages in Vietnam to be approved as members of the global network of creative craft cities. This result has helped Hanoi affirm its position on the world cultural map, and is also an opportunity for craft villages to improve their competitiveness, preserve traditional values, expand markets, promote international cultural exchanges and promote sustainable development.

In 2025, the city strives to have the World Craft Council consider recognizing at least two more craft villages and successfully organize the annual conference of the World Craft Council in Hanoi.

Source: https://nongnghiep.vn/bat-trang-van-phuc-gia-nhap-mang-luoi-cac-thanh-pho-thu-cong-sang-tao-toan-cau-d420397.html