Hanoi’s first Global Festival for the Preservation and Development of Traditional Craft Villages is now on the city’s November calendar. A Hà Nội Mới report published on 14 October, based on Plan No. 395/KHLT-UBND-BNNMT, names the Thang Long Imperial Citadel as the main venue and gives several visitor-facing dates. The report does not provide one complete daily schedule, ticket information or a clear overall closing date, so treat these as planned activities and confirm access before travelling. [1]

What the festival is—and what this guide covers

The city plan calls it the first Global Festival for the Preservation and Development of Traditional Craft Villages. The programme is intended to bring craft displays, demonstrations and exchange activities together with experiences at Hanoi craft villages. This guide refers only to that city-planned event at Thang Long Imperial Citadel and its named village activities—not to every Hanoi event using a similar English-language “craft festival” label. [1]

The main exhibition area is described as approximately 10,000 square metres. Planned displays include Vietnamese and international craft products, creative design, traditional techniques, cultural presentations and food. The report presents these as elements of the plan; it does not confirm every exhibitor, exact hall layout or daily operating hours. [1]

Dates currently named in the city plan

12 November: tourism promotion and experience activities are planned at representative craft villages, including Van Phuc and Chuyen My. The report names these places as examples but does not specify which activity will be held at each, how visitors join, or whether a pre-booked tour is required. [1]

13–16 November: the main exhibition, demonstrations, making sessions and product-introduction space at Thang Long Imperial Citadel are planned to operate during this period. The article does not publish opening hours or visitor-access conditions. [1]

14 November: an opening ceremony is scheduled for 19:00. The report identifies the Citadel as the festival’s main venue but does not separately name the ceremony’s exact gate or stage, so check the final event notice before arriving. A rural-products and crafts investment conference is also planned that morning at the Center for Vietnamese Traditional Craft Villages in Bat Trang; it may be a professional programme rather than a general visitor event. [1]

15 November: a creative-design exchange and an Asia-Pacific handicraft competition are planned at the Citadel. A cultural exchange and promotion of handcrafted fashion is listed for 19:00 that evening. The source does not state whether every component will be open to walk-in visitors. [1]

There is no complete public itinerary yet

These dates give useful anchors, but they should not be read as a full event window. The source reports village activities on 12 November and the Citadel exhibition on 13–16 November; it does not specify one final closing date for every side programme. It also says that experiences will take place at the Center for Vietnamese Traditional Craft Villages, selected Hanoi craft villages and other locations, with side activities in Hanoi and Ninh Binh. The final list of public venues is still important for planning. [1]

For a single-day visit, first decide whether you want the central exhibition or a craft-village experience. If your priority is the Citadel, select a day from 13–16 November and check the day’s programme. If you want to visit Van Phuc or Chuyen My, confirm which location has an activity, its start time and whether you need to join an organized group. The available report does not give transit durations, route arrangements or prices, so don’t plan a multi-venue day around estimates.

For an evening programme on 14 or 15 November, check the return journey and the exact access point once the organizer publishes them. Do not assume the ceremony, exhibition and fashion programme use the same gate or that their venues remain open between events.

What to verify before you go

  • The final daily programme and the festival’s full start and end dates.
  • Which village experiences are open to visitors on 12 November, and whether registration is needed.
  • Current exhibition hours, entry rules and the exact Citadel entrance for each programme.
  • Whether the investment conference at Bat Trang is public or delegate-only.
  • The exact venue, access and return-transport information for the 19:00 programmes.

The official announcement uses planned and expected language for several components. Treat the list as a strong planning lead, not a promise that every activity will operate exactly as described. Confirm details with Hanoi’s event notices or the organizer close to your visit.

An optional Bat Trang activity, separate from the festival

For a separate pottery visit, Klook lists a 4-hour-30-minute Hanoi Jeep tour to Bat Trang Pottery Village & Workshop, with optional hotel pickup and morning or afternoon departures. View the Bat Trang activity on Klook; check date availability, pickup details, inclusions and terms on the live listing. This is not a city-planned festival activity or a festival ticket. [3] Disclosure: Say Hello Vietnam may earn a commission if you book through this affiliate link, at no extra cost to you.

Explore more craft and culture stories

Browse our Northern Vietnam story archive for more regional ideas. If you are adding a Central Highlands leg, our Ho Chi Minh City–Pleiku bus guide explains the listed route and terminal checks.

Hanoi craft festival 2026: quick questions

When is the main exhibition?

The Hà Nội Mới report says the exhibition, demonstrations and product-introduction space at Thang Long Imperial Citadel are planned for 13–16 November 2026. It also lists village-tourism experiences on 12 November. The report does not give one complete closing date for every side event. [1]

Where is the festival held?

Thang Long Imperial Citadel is the main venue. Other planned activities are associated with the Center for Vietnamese Traditional Craft Villages, selected Hanoi craft villages and other locations; the source also mentions side programmes in Ninh Binh. Confirm exact addresses before setting a route. [1]

What time is the opening ceremony?

The report schedules it for 19:00 on 14 November, but does not name the exact stage or entrance. Check the final venue notice. [1]

Are tickets, bookings or village tours available?

The report does not state whether the exhibition or village activities require tickets, registration or a tour booking. Do not assume free entry or walk-in access; verify with the organizer before travelling.