In a March 9 announcement, festival organising board deputy head Phan Canh Viet Cuong said the costumes of the Saijo people and Ishizuchi black tea have secured places in the former imperial city of Hue’s Hoang Hoa Tham Street craft exhibition.

He also revealed France has registered to take part in the festival. The French garments and textiles sector’s traditional craft skills will be showcased with the help of famous brands and factories including Prelle, Benoit Toscan d’Amiens, and Aubusson.

Audiences will also be able to see the latest textile innovations previously introduced at an exhibition in Lille.

The event offers Hue artisans and traditional craft villages the chance to demonstrate their professional skills and handicrafts that span ceramics, embroidery, weaving, lacquer painting, conical hat making, bronze and silver sculpting, paper flower making, and cuisine.

The high-profile festival attracts leading artisans from provinces and cities across the country, including Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Ha Giang, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Quang Nam, An Giang, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Dương.

Thanks to a private artifact museum regarded as a precious national asset, this year’s festival will also feature relics dating back hundreds of years.

A programme of special music and dance performances only adds to the entertainment festival audiences can expect.