International visitors are interested in the artistic conical hats of Western women.

Put aside bachelor's degree to pursue passion

Graduated from Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City, majoring in Finance and Banking, Ms. Lien had many opportunities to develop her career in the big city. However, due to family circumstances, she decided to return to her hometown to take care of her young children. That seemingly "paused" period of time opened up a new creative direction for her, which was to bring painting to conical hats.

Người phụ nữ miền Tây khoác ‘áo mới’ cho nón lá truyền thống - Ảnh 1. — Ms. Lien introduces lotus-painted conical hats to customers.

Ms. Lien shared that she did not major in painting, but with her passion, she self-studied on social networks, from domestic and foreign artists. Seeing that many women in her hometown often wear conical hats, but the hats were somewhat monotonous, she came up with the idea of painting them.

Người phụ nữ miền Tây khoác ‘áo mới’ cho nón lá truyền thống - Ảnh 2. — The conical hats are given a "new look"

"3 years ago, my first completed work was a lotus flower, the symbolic flower of Dong Thap . I gave it to my relatives and unexpectedly received many positive reviews," Ms. Lien shared.

Người phụ nữ miền Tây khoác ‘áo mới’ cho nón lá truyền thống - Ảnh 3. — Conical hat painted with lotus flower to introduce Dong Thap homeland

With delicate strokes and skillful hands, Ms. Lien has "breathed life" into the conical hat with vivid images such as lotus flowers, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, yellow apricot flowers, royal poinciana flowers... The works she posted on social networks quickly attracted attention, many people loved and shared them widely. Since then, she has received many orders for custom paintings; in which lotus flowers and portraits on conical hats are the most favorites of customers.

Người phụ nữ miền Tây khoác ‘áo mới’ cho nón lá truyền thống - Ảnh 4. — Lotus-shaped conical hats are popular with many tourists.

Conical hat orders are increasing

Turning her passion into a serious business, up to now, Ms. Linh has sold hundreds of conical hats to domestic and foreign customers, including many tourists from Korea, Malaysia, the US... The number of orders is increasing, contributing to introducing international friends to the country and people of Vietnam in general, and Dong Thap province in particular.

Người phụ nữ miền Tây khoác ‘áo mới’ cho nón lá truyền thống - Ảnh 5. — One of the conical hat models that many international tourists order as gifts.

According to Ms. Lien, the conical hats are bought from Hue . To paint on the hats, she usually designs the pattern on paper first; creates lines and details, paints; and covers with gloss to keep the color from fading. The paint used for painting is acrylic, a type of paint that dries quickly, adheres well, and has a variety of colors. The time to complete each conical hat is from 1 to 2 days. The selling price is 150,000 - 350,000 VND/hat (depending on the model, thickness, thinness).

Người phụ nữ miền Tây khoác ‘áo mới’ cho nón lá truyền thống - Ảnh 6. — The conical hat is painted with a phoenix flower.

With each hat, she devotes all her heart to the idea, color coordination and perfecting every little detail, turning each product into a unique work of art. "To draw these works, I have to concentrate very highly and let my soul flow with each work to make it lively and soulful. When customers put them on, I love it because it introduces the image of my homeland," said Ms. Lien.