HÀ NỘI More than 70 handicraft artisans who have made considerable contributions to preserving traditional handicrafts were awarded honourable titles at a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce held in Hà Nội on Tuesday.

Five of them got the People’s Artisan title, the highest of its kind, and 72 got the title Meritorious Artisan. They are representatives from various handicraft villages in the city like villages of embroidery, ceramic, jewel, mosaic, bronze casting, and painting.

An artisan from Phú Vinh Bamboo and Rattan Village in the western outskirts of Hà Nội works on a painting made from bamboo. File photo

The four People’s Artisans include artisan Lý Ngọc Minh – owner of trademark Minh Long ceramic; Trần Duy Mong – a jeweller from the central city of Huế; Chu Mạnh Chấn – a lacquer artisan from Hà Đông District, Hà Nội; Nguyễn Quốc Sự - a painting embroiderer from Khoái Nội Village Thường Tín District, Hà Nội and late ceramic artisan Vũ Đức Thắng from Bát Tràng, Hà Nội.

Among the 72 Meritorious artisans recognised this year, áo dài (traditional long dress) designer Lan Hương – the owner of the brand Áo dài Lan Hương - was among few female artisans to be honoured.

Addressing the ceremony, Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh highly appreciated the artisans for their contributions to Việt Nam’s handicraft sector and the economy.

She noted that the artisans are handing down their skills to the next generations.

“They have made considerable contributions to bringing made-in-Viet Nam delicate handmade objects to the world, making the country among top three nations with the most handicraft and fine art objects for export,” she said.

“Many products from handicraft villages have been chosen as the Government’s souvernirs to heads of states when they visit Việt Nam, serving external affairs tasks,” she added.

“This ceremony marks the recognition of the Party and people for the great contributions of the artisans,” she said.

The Vice President highly appreciated the ministry for holding the ceremony every year to praise artisans.

Designer Lan Hương (middle) poses for a photo with models, who wear her creations. Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

She ordered the ministry to continue to support artisans and handicraft villages to promote traditional handicraft production.

Minister of Industry of Commerce Trần Tuấn Anh promised to continue the task and offer favourable policies to assist villages in selling products and support the artisans to promote their talents.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is considering files of nominees for the title People’s Artisan and Meritorious Artisan in intangible culture field. VNS