The opening ceremony honouring the quintessence of Vietnamese traditional crafts

Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2019 with the theme "The quintessence of Vietnamese traditional crafts" officially opened on the evening of April 26 and lasts for one week.

Attending the ceremony were: Mr. Le Truong Luu, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Bui Thanh Ha, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Phan Ngoc Tho, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; leaders of ministries and central branches; and the former leaders of the province...

In addition, there were international delegations from France, Japan, Korea, China and Turkey and leaders of provinces and cities in the country. Attending the opening ceremony were religious dignitaries, scientists, intellectuals, researchers, writers, sponsors and the press. Especially, there were 70 artisans from international cities and 350 artisans from 60 villages across the country, along with many Hue locals and tourists.

With the theme "The quintessence of Vietnamese traditional crafts" the opening ceremony included performances with bold national influence. Songs such as Tinh ca (Love Song) by Pham Duy, Ve day nghe em (Darling, please come) by Tran Quang Loc, Moi ngay toi chon mot niem vui (Each day I choose a feeling of happiness) by Trinh Cong Son, Ai ra xu Hue (Whoever go to Hue), Hue tinh yeu cua toi (Hue, my love) by Truong Tuyet Mai, etc., were performed along with dances to honor Vietnamese traditional crafts such as embroidery, textile, knitting, pottery,…

The performances in the opening night of Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2019 are the highlights, reminiscent of traditional craft villages

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of Hue City People's Committee, Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh - Head of the Organizing Committee said that this is a typical economic, political, cultural and tourist event bearing the Vietnamese cultural identity and Hue culture. The festival is an opportunity to meet and exchange business products and introduce Vietnamese identity of provinces and cities to those of the world, promoting local economic development.

Mr. Thanh expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the provincial People's Committee, departments of the Thua Thien Hue Province; provinces and cities in the country; the mayors, deputy mayors and representatives of the cooperative cities and organizations from many countries who have brought to Hue cooperation and friendship. In particular, he appreciated the presence of sponsors, artisans, artists, actors ... who brought enthusiasm, emotion, wisdom and talent together to prepare, organize and sponsor to bring success to Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2019.

Lasting for a week, Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2019 brings together 16 occupational groups such as embroidery, jewellery, art carpentry, bronze casting, pottery, conical hats, paper flowers, calligraphy, paintings, kites, textiles - sewing, bamboo and rattan, painted enamel, incense sticks, essential oils, unicorns - lions - dragons... In addition, the festival welcomes the presence of products with long-standing traditions and brand names with the participation of 60 craft villages, establishments and over 350 People’s artisans, elite artisans and talented craftsmen from famous craft villages throughout the country such as Ha Giang, Hoa Binh, Hanoi, Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Ninh Thuan, Dong Thap, Hung Yen and Thua Thien Huế.

Photos of the opening night of Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2019:

Opening the night was the song “Tinh ca” (Love song) by Pham Duy

The model teams wore names of craft villages which are present at the Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2019

Miss Ngoc Han, a familiar face of Hue Traditional Craft Festival

According to the designer and the General Director of the opening ceremony, Mrs. Minh Hanh, 11 special art performances at the opening ceremony brought a modern language based on national cultural identity which introduced the homeland, Hue, and the typical professions and quintessence of traditional handicrafts

Schoolgirls in white ao dai during a performance at the opening night

The opening night was not simply an artistic program but a thorough theme to introduce and honor Vietnamese traditional crafts, introduce the homeland and Hue ...

The Ao Dai with new and unique designs were showcased by models on the ancient stage of Hue

Conical hats - a product of traditional Hue handicraft in the opening program

The performance of the artists at the opening night was a way to allow viewers to experience familiar craftsmanship, such as knitting, weaving, embroidery, conical hat making and other traditional products typical of Hue like lotus and ao dai

Lasting for a week, Hue Traditional Craft Festival 2019 brings together 16 occupational groups. Along with this is the presence of products with long-standing brand names and traditions with the participation of 60 craft villages, establishments and over 350 artisans ...

Story and photos: Thanh Huong