Hai Phong Highlights at the National Achievements Exhibition

1(1).jpg — Artist Vu Duc Thang (Aji Ngon) introduces the work "The Diplomatist - Grapefruit"

Creative imprint

In the late afternoon of August, at the booth displaying OCOP products and handicrafts in the outdoor fair area within the framework of the National Achievements Exhibition celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day, the atmosphere of preparation for completion is being carried out very urgently. The booth of Hai Duong Agricultural Culture Company Limited impressed with wooden statues of famous people, works about people, and nature of the Vietnamese countryside, sophisticated and lively.

Mr. Vu Duc Thang (stage name Aji Ngon), an artisan from Dong Giao carpentry village (Cam Giang commune, Hai Phong city) shared: "I am passionate about the quintessence of traditional crafts and always want to convey my love for my homeland and country in my works."

The inspiration for Aji Ngon to create unique works comes from memories of his hometown and the great changes in his homeland. He said: The work "The Diplomatist - Grapefruit" was born after he was moved by the moment when Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gave a Vietnamese grapefruit to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, as a message to promote his hometown's products to the world .

2(1).jpg — Traditional craft village products and handicrafts of Hai Phong in the exhibition space

The “connection” between the lychee bunch and the royal poinciana branch comes from the emotion when Hai Phong and Hai Duong merged - two Eastern lands developing together. The image of a cicada shedding its shell was skillfully depicted by him on a royal poinciana branch, as a metaphor for the breakthrough and transformation of the new Hai Phong city after the merger, rising strongly in the integration period.

In addition to the wooden handicraft products, the exhibition area also introduces hundreds of typical agricultural and OCOP products: Cat Ba forest honey, Cat Hai fish sauce, crab rice noodles, Ninh Giang sticky rice cakes, Chu Dau pottery... Each product is a story about skillful hands, creative minds and love for the homeland. Not only displaying, the artisans also directly operate and introduce the manufacturing and processing process, creating a lively interactive space, attracting visitors.

3(1).jpg — Artistic ceramic booth of Hai Do Co., Ltd.

This is not only an opportunity to promote agricultural products and handicrafts but also affirms the city's efforts in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values associated with economic development.

Spreading the talent of Hai Phong people

Hai Phong - the land of the Eastern culture, the heroic port city - not only has a rich history, culture, and many famous landscapes, but also possesses a rich and long-standing system of craft villages. In the past, there were thousands of cooperatives and small-scale handicraft and fine arts cooperatives here. Although the number of craft villages has decreased due to many reasons, many handicraft products are still developing steadily, spreading throughout the country and serving export.

4(1).jpg — Handicraft booths demonstrate the skills and creativity of Hai Phong artisans and skilled workers.

Typical examples include Bao Ha statue carving village, Nhan Muc animal making village, Duong Dong pottery, Kien Thuy flute kite making, My Dong casting, Chu Dau pottery, Xuan Neo lace embroidery, Dong Giao wooden furniture, Ninh Giang sticky rice cake, Hoang Dieu leather shoes, etc. Cultural experts believe that the city needs to organize many promotional activities, build tourism tours associated with craft villages, encourage competitions of artisans and skilled workers to enhance the brand of traditional products.

Coming to the outdoor area of Hai Phong at the National Achievement Exhibition, in a space of nearly 10,000 m² with 80 typical booths, visitors are welcomed by the message "Hai Phong reaches out to the sea". The image of a container crane symbolizes the modern Port City; on the left is a cargo ship cutting through the waves to the sea, on the right is the ceremonial gate of Kiep Bac Temple - the symbol of the heritage city.

Among the 5 exhibition zones, the high-tech agriculture and handicraft area brings together the most typical products of the Eastern region: from clean agricultural products applying modern technology to handicraft products rich in identity such as Chu Dau pottery, Dong Giao wooden furniture, Kien Thuy flute kites, My Dong casting... These are the values that make up the identity and vitality of Hai Phong culture.

Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hai Phong Tran Thi Hoang Mai said that in an effort to promote the cultural beauty of the city, the department always focuses on promoting tourism associated with craft villages - places that preserve unique village cultural nuances. The department has just launched a competition to design tourism gift products to honor artisans and skilled workers; organized a competition for heritage tour guides; promoted the promotion of craft villages on the media and through experiential tours for international visitors and tourism businesses. Thereby, the cultural soul of Hai Phong's land and people is spread more widely.

6(1).jpg — Traditional craft village products and handicrafts of Hai Phong in the exhibition space

The fair space this time is therefore not only a place where traditional values and contemporary creativity converge, but also a vivid demonstration of the vision of sustainable development: economy associated with culture, tourism associated with heritage. OCOP products, agriculture, and Hai Phong craft villages not only affirm the brand of the Port City, but also act as a bridge to bring the image of the people and culture here further on the regional and international map.

With a harmonious combination of traditional and creative values, the display area of agricultural products - OCOP - Hai Phong craft villages at this year's fair became an impressive highlight, clearly depicting the spirit of "the cultural Eastern land, the heroic Port land" in the integration period.

HAI HAU - DO HIEN

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/diem-nhan-hai-phong-tai-trien-lam-thanh-tuu-dat-nuoc-519241.html