Conical hat making village imbued with Vietnamese national identity

Chuong Village is located in Phuong Trung Commune, Thanh Oai District, about 30 kilometres from central Hanoi. With a long history, Chuong Village has preserved the ancient beauty and peace of a typical village in northern Vietnam.
Conical hat making village imbued with Vietnamese national identity
The main raw material for making conical hats is “lui” leaves. First, the artisans must dry the leaves in the sun for many hours.

The main raw material for making conical hats is “lui” leaves. First, the artisans must dry the leaves in the sun for many hours.

When walking around the village, visitors can easily see the image of people drying leaves on dikes next to the road.

When walking around the village, visitors can easily see the image of people drying leaves on dikes next to the road.

The scene is a familiar sight for visitors who come to Chuong Village.

The scene is a familiar sight for visitors who come to Chuong Village.

Chuong Village Pagoda – a listed historical and artistic monument.

Chuong Village Pagoda – a listed historical and artistic monument.

Artisans make hats on front porches.

Artisans make hats on front porches.

Elderly artisans skilfully and meticulously knit each hat.

Elderly artisans skilfully and meticulously knit each hat.

The meticulous hands of the craftsman carry out each stage to form the conical hat.

The meticulous hands of the craftsman carry out each stage to form the conical hat.

In addition to the traditional conical hats, local craftspeople also make modern silk hats to attract customers.

In addition to the traditional conical hats, local craftspeople also make modern silk hats to attract customers.

The process of making hats is very elaborate and it usually takes about one day to complete a hat.

The process of making hats is very elaborate and it usually takes about one day to complete a hat.

Hats are transported to the workshop for thermal processing before going to the market.

Hats are transported to the workshop for thermal processing before going to the market.

The people in the village are mostly long-time hat makers. For them, hat making is a traditional beauty of many generations of families.

The people in the village are mostly long-time hat makers. For them, hat making is a traditional beauty of many generations of families.

An old lady happily wears a hat after being perfected by her own hands.

An old lady happily wears a hat after being perfected by her own hands.

Almost everyone in the village can make hats and is passionate about the craft.

Almost everyone in the village can make hats and is passionate about the craft.

NDO