The first Autumn Fair 2025, that took place from October 25 to November 4, was designed as a “journey across Vietnam,” where each zone told a vivid story of the country’s people, culture, and dynamic economy.

Spanning approximately 17,000 square meters, Hanoi’s showcase highlighted the capital’s rich cultural identity, featuring traditional craft products, cuisine, and distinctive art forms. A recreated “Hanoi Autumn Road” offered visitors an immersive glimpse into the city’s signature season, evoking images of tree-lined streets, the Old Quarter, and autumn specialties such as green rice flakes, lotus, and tea.

Artisans from Hanoi’s craft villages performed live demonstrations, bringing traditional techniques to life while promoting the city’s cultural heritage. Visitors also took part in hands-on activities, such as pottery making, bamboo weaving, and wood carving, gaining a deeper appreciation of the craftsmanship and creative spirit of Hanoi’s people.

At the “Autumn of Vietnam – Colours of the Season” zone, visitors were immersed in a vibrant, multi-coloured panorama representing regions across the country. All 34 provinces and cities were present, each featuring a 200-square-meter pavilion showcasing signature products, from agricultural, forestry, and seafood goods to handicrafts, OCOP (One Commune, One Product) items, and products with collective trademarks, certifications, and geographical indications, drawing large numbers of visitors and shoppers.

Localities brought with them a rich array of renowned specialties, offering visitors the chance to explore and purchase high-quality regional products and standout OCOP goods. Each pavilion told its own story, where specialties were not merely commodities but reflections of local potential, ingenuity, craftsmanship, and the cultural depth and human values of each region.

A highlight of the fair was the Northwestern provinces, celebrated not only for their abundant mountain produce but also for their rich cultural identity, through Thai xòe dances, the sounds of the Hmong khèn (pan flute), and the vibrant colours of brocade textiles and traditional ethnic costumes.

In the agricultural showcase area, Dien Bien province presented signature highland products such as shiitake mushrooms, rice noodles, Dien Bien rice, and wild honey. Meanwhile, more than 100 OCOP products, from Shan Tuyet tea to forest honey and turmeric starch, were introduced at the Tuyen Quang Province pavilion. Nearby, Phu Tho Province drew crowds with ethnic specialties like rượu cần (fermented rice wine) and smoked buffalo meat. Beyond shopping, many visitors lingered to hear the stories behind these regional delicacies directly from the vendors.

A standout attraction was the Cao Bang province pavilion, where a striking recreation of Ban Gioc Waterfall became a popular check-in spot. Under the theme “Cao Bang – Seasonal Treasures,” the display featured a rich variety of local agricultural and OCOP products arranged by the four seasons: spring offerings such as fragrant sticky rice, bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake), five-coloured sticky rice; summer specialties including herbal jellies and teas; autumn highlights like Trung Khanh chestnuts, five-colored dried noodles, black olives, and honey; and winter products such as arrowroot vermicelli, organic spices, and essential oils from anise, cinnamon, and lemongrass.

In the Central and Central Highlands section, the bold aroma of Hue fish sauce, the sweetness of Quang-style cakes, and handcrafted bamboo and rattan products from Hoi An impressed visitors. Traditional ví giặm folk songs from Nghe An and Ha Tinh added a lyrical charm, while further along, the vibrant sounds of gongs and the rich aroma of coffee and cocoa from the Central Highlands, served free of charge, filled the air. Together, these elements created a lively festival atmosphere in Hanoi, deeply infused with the diverse cultural identities of Vietnam’s ethnic communities.

Dak Lak province stood out as one of the most prominent pavilions in this area. Blending a warm, immersive setting with the cultural identity of the Central Highlands and a spirit of global integration, Dak Lak displayed more than 200 OCOP products, representing a total of 762 certified items, alongside more than 100 exemplary rural industrial products and key export goods. Highlights included specialty and traditional ground coffee, deeply processed coffee products, macadamia nuts, pepper, cashews, chocolate, cocoa, durian, and a wide range of fruits.

In the southern pavilions displayed by Can Tho, Vinh Long, Ca Mau, and Dong Thap, visitors encountered a vibrant showcase of tropical produce, handicrafts, and the distinctive flavours of the Mekong Delta. From shrimp crackers and fermented shrimp paste to traditional fish sauce, fragrant rice, and dried fruits, each product told a story of the land and its people, reflecting diligence, creativity, and an enduring aspiration to reach beyond regional borders.

On this occasion, tourism enterprises from An Giang province, including many from Phu Quoc, actively promoted new tours, travel routes, and tourism products, showcasing a refreshed image of the province. Key destinations such as Tra Su Cajuput Forest, Cam Mountain Cable Car, An Hao Solar Power Site, and Tuc Dup Hill Historical Site were brought together within a shared tourism space under the theme “An Giang – A Safe, Friendly, and Attractive Destination.”

Beyond the indoor exhibition space, the South Yard of the Vietnam Exhibition Center hosted the “Autumn Delicacies” Food Festival—an attractive gathering that drew large crowds of locals and visitors alike. Featuring hundreds of booths offering specialties and signature dishes from across the country, the “A Journey Around Vietnam” zone brought together culinary highlights from all three regions. This created a unique gastronomic journey, stretching from the northern midlands and mountainous areas through the Central and Central Highlands to the Mekong Delta.

Designed as interactive, experience-driven spaces, the food stalls went beyond simple retail. They became vibrant hubs of cultural and culinary exchange, where visitors could not only taste local specialties but also discover the stories behind each dish, its origins, ingredients, and preparation methods, gaining a deeper appreciation of regional identities through cuisine.

At the first Autumn Fair 2025, visitors did more than just “go to the market.” They immersed themselves in a rich cultural tapestry of art, cuisine, and storytelling, exploring travel inspirations and narratives about Vietnam’s land and people. Many spent time savouring local delicacies and capturing memorable moments through photos amid evocative displays and nostalgic flavors of home.

This is what set the fair apart - transforming it into an “open cultural space,” not merely a trade event but a meaningful socio-cultural experience. Each visitor left not only with products in hand, but also with a lasting sense of connection and warmth drawn from the diverse regions of Vietnam.

Autumn Fair 2025: A dynamic showcase of the strength of Vietnamese goods

VOV.VN - The first Autumn Fair 2025 officially opened at the Vietnam Exposition Centre (VEC) in Hanoi on October 25. The fair is chaired by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Hanoi People's Committee, and other ministries, sectors, and localities.