The 23rd Lao Handicrafts Festival, showcasing the work of artisans across Laos, is underway at Lao-ITECC in Vientiane from October 26 to November 3, 2024.Organized by the Lao Handicrafts Association and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the event features 243 boots selling products such as textiles, jewelry, cultural artifacts, furniture and traditional foods.The opening ceremony, held on October 28, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithone, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Manothong Vongxay, and other prominent officials.This year's event, themed 'Handmade Painting is a Paradise of Tourism,' celebrates Lao Handicrafts Day on November 1 and serves as a precursor to the upcoming 9th ASEAN Traditional Textiles Seminar, which will be hosted in Vientiane from November 4-6, 2024.Festival activities include seminars on cotton fabric techniques, national craft marks, and access to the European market, along with product competitions, live demonstrations, and a fas hion show.Vice President of the Lao Handicrafts Association, Mr. Phouthong Xaisanith, emphasized the festival's goals: promoting traditional crafts, uniting artisans, enhancing market access, and supporting Laos' Visit Laos Year 2024 initiative. The event also highlights the recent UNESCO recognition of Lao traditional handicrafts as a world heritage, underscoring the sector's role in community income generation, cultural preservation, and ASEAN cooperation.Source: Lao News Agency