VIENTIANE, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The opening ceremony of the 25th Lao Handicraft Festival 2026 took place in Lao capital Vientiane on Monday.
This year's event features more than 200 booths showcasing handicrafts from across the country, alongside international exhibitors from Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and Japan. Visitors can explore a wide range of products, including textiles, jewelry, basketry, pottery, wood carvings, traditional foods and herbal products, while watching demonstrations of traditional skills such as silk weaving, cotton spinning and silversmithing.
The celebrations also coincided with the Lao National Handicrafts Day on Nov. 1, marked by a commemorative walk at Patuxay monument park in Vientiane.
In his opening remarks, Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith highlighted the importance of the festival and National Handicrafts Day in safeguarding the traditional craftsmanship and knowledge of Laos' multi-ethnic communities. ■