Ha Noi (VNA)- The Viet Nam Women's Union on March 7 observed international women's day by holding a meeting and a trade fair to display products by businesses run by women and for women.

The meeting was attended by Vice State President Truong My Hoa and representatives from foreign diplomatic corps and international organisations in Ha Noi. Hoa praised Vietnamese women for their contributions to national development.

Marcus Leroy from the Belgian Embassy said Vietnamese women have not only done well in their careers but have also helped construct the Vietnamese people's identity.

Lauries Reece Evans, Chairwoman of the International Women's Club in Viet Nam, expressed admiration for the advancement of Vietnamese women as shown by the increasing number of high positions Vietnamese women are holding.

She said, however, that many women are still facing difficulties in life.

The meeting also marked the 1965th anniversary of the uprising waged by the two national heroines: the Trung sisters. They have become the symbol of Vietnamese women's bravery and self-confidence in overcoming difficulties.

Ha Thi Khiet, President of the Viet Nam Women's Union, said she believed that Vietnamese businesswomen will uphold the two sisters' tradition of overcoming difficulties, successfully face challenges emerging from the market economy, and increase trade promotion and Vietnamese trademarks on the international market.

In support of women in business and life, a trade promotion campaign for female entrepreneurs and businesses dealing in women's products was held on this occasion. It aimed to strengthen their knowledge of such experiences as trade fairs and exhibitions and their capacity to design handicrafts to meet market demands.

The event was attended by 36 female enterpreneurs from 12 northern provinces and cities famous for traditional crafts. Natural silk from Ha Dong village and brocades of cotton woven by women of ethnic minority groups in northern mountainous provinces were on display.

Also being shown at the event were conical hats from Thai Binh and Hai Duong provinces, porcelain from the traditional craft villages of Bat Trang, Phu Lang and Huong Canh, jewellery and fine art articles made by disabled women from Hai Phong province./.