The Hanoi Craft Week 2010, entitled “A thousand years of quintessence” is taking place at the Friendship Cultural Palace in Hanoi with the participation of 500 craft villages.

The fair, which began on August 4, is part of activities to celebrate the Thang Long-Hanoi millennium anniversary and the national year of tourism in Hanoi, said Luu Tien Long, Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Commerce, at a press briefing in Hanoi on March 8.

The week is aimed at promoting exports, developing and improving the products of Hanoi craft villages, it is also expected to boost the traditional cultures of the villages over the past 1,000 historic years.

There are also other activities like a contest for artisans on a signature souvenir design for the millennium anniversary, workshops on the potential and development of Hanoi handicraft villages and shows for craft items.

Visitors have the chance to witness the process by which crafts are made, take part in the production themselves and go on a tour of five outstanding craft villages in combination with other tourist sites around Hanoi.