Green rice flakes and milk draw visitors (Photo: VNA)
A zone infused with the essence of autumn, featuring Hanoi’s finest products, from handicrafts and 4- to 5-star One Commune, One Product (OCOP) items to hi-tech innovations, key industrial, and tourism products, is drawing crowds at the ongoing first Autumn Fair 2025 in Hanoi’s outlying Dong Anh commune.
From its opening days, the “Essence of Hanoi” zone has lured thousands of domestic and foreign visitors seeking to explore, experience, and shop.
Evoking Hanoi’s fall vibe
According to the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, the zone was meticulously designed with a palette drawn from chrysanthemum golds, canary-tree yellows, and sun-dappled streets, capturing Hanoi’s seasonal charm.
The event showcases signature products from Hanoi’s suburban areas, such as organic guava, pomelo, arrowroot vermicelli, honey, and cassava flour, all OCOP-certified. Nguyen Nhu Hao, Director of the Que Duong Safe Pomelo Cooperative in Duong Hoa commune, said the locality is proud to offer products that embody Hanoi’s identity and autumnal soul, including organic fruits, traditional cakes, and confectionery. “We’re delighted to deliver safe, premium agricultural products to residents and global guests”.
The booth of the Nhi Khe woodcraft village, Thuong Tin commune buzzes with similar energy. Workshop owner Pham Tuan Duy said: “Our lineup, from bracelets and prayer beads to chess boards and massage too, already ships to China, Taiwan (China), and the US. Participating the fair aims to boost brand visibility and link with artisan networks at home and abroad”.
Industrial innovation meets cultural tradition
The zone goes beyond legacy crafts to spotlight industrial and high-tech advances, signalling Hanoi’s evolution.
Phung Tung Anh, Marketing and Communications Director at Weldcom Co., said: “We’re displaying Vietnam-made laser welders that dominate the local market. Weldcom is also unveiling two transferable technologies: a collaborative robot for welding and material handling, plus an autonomous mobile unit that moves heavy loads and reduces labour strain”.
More than 30 artisans and scores of Hanoi companies fill the space with hundreds of items in handicrafts, food, and regional specialities. The blend of traditional artistry and new-age invention sketches a layered Hanoi rooted in tradition yet pushing innovation and growth.
A draw for visitors, especially foreigners, is the live demo space where makers reveal techniques and the stories behind each creation. Attendees watch the precise moulding and glazing of Bat Trang pottery or the detailed carving of wood sculptures, a vivid reflection of Hanoi’s living heritage.
Stalls with traditional toys like to he (coloured rice-dough figures) and seasonal snacks such as green rice flakes and milk have proven hits with kids and families
The first Autumn Fair 2025 ranks among the year’s biggest trade and cultural gatherings, uniting 34 cities and provinces with over 2,500 local and foreign firms. Beyond displays, it paints Hanoi as a cultured, inventive, and energetic capital./.
