Addressing the ceremony, Nguyen Thanh Hai, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, emphasised that the occasion serves to offer an ideal venue in which both local and foreign handicraft makers can strengthen connectivity and explore future business opportunities.

The purpose of the event is to celebrate the 1010th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi this year, the 66th anniversary of the capital’s Liberation Day (October 10), and the 17th Party Congress of the capital, Hai noted.

More than 1,950 enterprises and production firms from the capital and 40 provinces and cities nationwide have received support to participate in the event which saw over 600 contracts and Memoranda of Understanding worth over US$50 million be signed.

Featuring more than 400 pavilions, this year's trade fair is anticipated to receive over 10,000 visitors and is scheduled to run until October 18.