(KPL) The 32rd Lao Handicraft Festival under the theme: Crafts are the heart of tourism “connecting ASEAN national textile heritage” will be held at the Lao-ITECC in Vientiane Capital from October 26 to November 03.

“The event aims to celebrate the Lao National Handicraft Day November 1st, welcoming the 9th ASEAN Traditional Textiles Symposium, which will be held from 4-6 November 2024 in Vientiane Capital and a part of the Visit Laos Year 2024 as a tourism activity related to handicraft under the theme "Crafts are the heart of tourism", Vice President of the Lao Handicraft Association Phouthong Saisnith told participants of a press conference on June 14.

Vice President of the Lao Handicraft Association Phouthong Saisnith 

The festival will also celebrate the recognition of Laos' traditional craft of Naga motif weaving by the UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity and to create an opportunity for local communities and buyers to visit, purchase and experience the diversity of Lao handicraft products, expressing the skills of Lao artisans as well as to enable local artisans and handicraft entrepreneurs from all over Laos to access market for their products, to exchange with others, share experience in production, exhibition and marketing and sales.

Beside that the festival will support the government policy to alleviate poverty among Lao population and create more linkages with other ASEAN members in terms of handicraft.

More than 240 booths local and foreign businesses from across the country will showcase traditional and modern handicraft products at Lao Handicraft Festival.

Many kinds of local products made in Laos will be on display at the festival including silk, cotton, silver and jewellery products, woodcarvings and non-timer forest products, agricultural products and handicraft products, especially traditional craft of Naga motif weaving.

This festival will provide members of the Association, artisans and young people the opportunity to meet each other and seek creative ideas for the production of goods.

KPL