VietNamNet Bridge - Conical hat is a product of unique culture of each region. Conical hats in each locality have its own nuance. Chuong is the most famous conical hat (non) making village in northern Vietnam.

Chuong village in Phuong Trung commune, Thanh Oai district, Hanoi, has become famous for its centuries old tradition of hat making. At present, in Chuong village, over 2,000 of its 3,000 families participate in making hats.

Making a hat is a painstaking process, from choosing leaves, to rubbing in sand, then drying them under the sun; afterwards a ploughshare is used to stretch them flat without breaking them. The circle of the hat is made from the bark of bamboo. Each hat has 16 circles, causing the hat to be firm but supple.

Hats from Chuong village are now available in every part of the country and exported to China, Japan and European countries.

The market of Chuong village opens on the 4th, 10th, 14th, 20th, 24th and 30th of lunar months. Only one product is traded – conical hats.

Compiled by Pha Le