Go Gang conical hats - the essence of traditional craftsmanship paving the way for tourism development in Gia Lai.

VTV.vn - The Go Gang conical hat-making village in Gia Lai province has been recognized as meeting the criteria for a traditional craft village, opening up a direction for preserving traditional values ​​in conjunction with tourism.

The craft of making conical hats in Go Gang originated around the 17th century, closely linked to the process of exploration and village establishment by Vietnamese people in the ancient An Nhon region.

The Go Gang conical hat-making village has undergone hundreds of years of formation and development, and has now been officially recognized by the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee as meeting the criteria for a traditional craft village according to the Government's regulations on rural industry development. This marks an important milestone in the journey of preserving and promoting the value of traditional crafts in the An Nhon Bac region.

The essence of craftsmanship is embodied in each hat.

According to local documents and oral traditions, the craft of making conical hats in Go Gang originated around the 17th century, closely linked to the process of settlement and village establishment by Vietnamese people in the ancient An Nhon region. When migrants from North Central Vietnam followed the southward expansion and settled in the Go Gang - Nhon Thanh area, now part of An Nhon Bac ward, they brought with them not only farming practices and lifestyles but also traditional crafts, including the craft of making conical hats.

The Go Gang - Nhon Thanh area, now part of An Nhon Bac ward, with its favorable natural conditions and abundant bamboo and leaf resources, quickly became fertile ground for the hat-making craft to take root.

The Go Gang - Nhon Thanh area, now part of An Nhon Bac ward, with its favorable natural conditions and abundant bamboo and leaf resources, quickly became fertile ground for the hat-making craft to take root. From a few initial hat-making households, the craft gradually spread to the residential areas of Tien Hoi, Vinh Phu, Chau Thanh, Phu Thanh, and Van Thuan in An Nhon Bac ward, becoming a sustainable source of livelihood for many generations of people in the Go Gang conical hat-making village.

It is a sustainable source of livelihood that has sustained many generations of people in the craft village.

Throughout history, from the feudal era and the resistance war to the period of reform, the Go Gang conical hat has remained present in daily life, protecting farmers from the sun and rain, accompanying vendors to the market, and silently preserving the cultural soul of a rural area.

In a conversation with us, artisan Phan Thi Mui from Tien Hoi residential area, An Nhon Bac ward, shared: Go Gang conical hats are made entirely by hand, going through many meticulous steps such as selecting leaves, ironing leaves, shaping the rim, assembling the frame, stitching the hat, reinforcing the rim, and finishing. Each step requires patience, skill, and experience accumulated over many years of dedication to the craft by the artisan.

Each step requires patience, skill, and experience accumulated over many years of dedication to the craft by the artisan.

Artisan Nguyen Thi Le from Tien Hoi residential area, An Nhon Bac ward, said: "The distinctive features of Go Gang conical hats lie in their balanced, elegant shape, the natural ivory-white leaves, the even and sturdy stitching, and the delicately crafted crown, creating durability and harmonious beauty. More than just a household item, the hat also carries aesthetic value and deeply symbolizes the image of the gentle, hardworking Vietnamese woman. Besides common hat products, the people of Go Gang have also creatively developed product lines for the tourism market, such as souvenir hats, decorative hats, and gift hats, contributing to enriching the value of the traditional craft in a new context."

Development orientation linked to cultural tourism.

According to statistics, there are currently 578 households involved in the conical hat making craft, accounting for over 23% of the total households in the 5 residential areas, exceeding the prescribed criteria. Production activities have been stable and continuous for many years, with total revenue reaching over 8.4 billion VND in 2023 and over 9.1 billion VND in 2024. Although the income is not yet high, it is stable, helping many households, especially the elderly and women, to have local employment and remain connected to their hometown.

The Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee's issuance of Decision No. 3237, dated December 28, 2025, recognizing Go Gang conical hat making village as meeting the criteria of a traditional craft village according to Government Decree No. 52/2018/ND-CP, is not only a legal recognition but also an affirmation of the cultural, economic , and social value of this long-standing traditional craft. Simultaneously, it opens opportunities for Go Gang conical hat making village to access government support policies on vocational training, trade promotion, brand building, environmental protection, and the development of craft village tourism.

Currently, 578 households are involved in making conical hats.

Discussing the future development direction of the Go Gang conical hat making village, Mr. Dinh Thanh Trinh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of An Nhon Bac commune, said: preserving and developing the Go Gang conical hat making village is not only a task of preserving traditional cultural values, but also an important solution for sustainable rural economic development.

"The local authorities have determined that preserving traditional crafts must be linked to the livelihoods of the people. First and foremost, we encourage households to continue practicing the craft, passing on the techniques of making conical hats to the younger generation, and promoting the role of artisans. Simultaneously, the local authorities will implement support policies as stipulated for recognized craft villages, gradually building and promoting the Go Gang conical hat brand," Vice Chairman Dinh Thanh Trinh shared.

According to Mr. Dinh Thanh Trinh, the key direction is to link the development of Go Gang conical hat making village with cultural and experiential tourism. The village will be planned to become a destination for tourists to visit, learn about the hat-making process, and directly experience making hats, thereby gaining a deeper appreciation for the value of handicrafts and local culture.

The conical hat from Gò Găng is not just a tool for protection from the sun and rain, but also carries the story of the history, people, and land of An Nhơn Bắc.

Without fanfare or ostentation, the conical hat-making craft of Go Gang has quietly provided a stable income for hundreds of households for many years. For many families, especially the elderly, the craft not only brings income but also joy and connects them to ancestral memories. In a context where many traditional crafts face the risk of extinction, the recognition and systematic development of the Go Gang conical hat-making village is a positive sign, demonstrating the concern of all levels of government for preserving intangible cultural heritage linked to community life.

Amidst the passage of time, the Go Gang conical hat-making village has endured, a vibrant testament to the vitality of folk culture, where the past and present meet in each simple hat imbued with the soul of the countryside. From the quiet needlework on the porches, the Go Gang conical hat is not just a tool for protection from the sun and rain, but also carries the story of history, people, and the land of An Nhon Bac. Being recognized as a traditional craft village is a crucial first step, from which traditional values ​​can be cherished, preserved, and spread more strongly in contemporary life.

Source: https://vtv.vn/non-la-go-gang-tinh-hoa-nghe-xua-mo-loi-phat-trien-du-lich-gia-lai-100260118214116871.htm