The 2010 Vietnam-China Agricultural and Craft Fair opened in Vietnam's capital city of Hanoi on Wednesday, drawing more than 200 companies from the two countries.

Dao Xuan Can, president of the Vietnam Cooperatives' Alliance (VCI), an organizer of the fair, said at the opening ceremony that Vietnam and China have seen increased economic exchanges and agricultural cooperation in recent years.

The fair is a good platform for companies and research institutes of the two sides to seek cooperation opportunities in agricultural and craft sectors, said Can.

The fair is expected to promote the application of advanced technology in the agricultural sector and push forward Vietnam-China cooperation in agriculture, technology and trade, said Can.

With 500 booths, the six-day fair is jointly held by the VCI and All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan and Vietnamese Industry and Commerce Minister Vu Huy Hoang visited the fair Wednesday.

A forum on bilateral agricultural and craft cooperation and a seminar on border trade between Vietnam and China will be held during the fair, according to the organizers.