Go to Chuong village to learn how to make conical hats.

Early in the morning at Chuong Market (Phuong Trung commune, Thanh Oai district), coinciding with the Chuong Village Festival (the 10th day of the third lunar month), countless stalls filled with hats and hat-making materials brighten up the entire village from 5 am onwards.

Artisan Le Van Tuy guides a group of young people in weaving conical hats in Chuong village. Photo: QUY DUC

Chuong Market is a famous tourist destination for those who enjoy exploring rural markets. Located about 30km from the center of Hanoi, it is held on the 4th, 10th, 14th, 20th, and 24th days of the lunar month, with families eagerly bringing their goods to sell. The market opens early, is crowded and bustling, but quickly disperses after about 3 hours.

After visiting the hat market, admiring the women weaving hats, trying on hats and taking souvenir photos, the group of students from Hanoi University of Culture went on a survey to learn about the hat-making craft in Chuong village, joined the procession of the Chuong Village Festival, and then visited the home of hat-making artisan Le Van Tuy.

With the materials—leaves, bamboo strips, and hat frames—already prepared by artisan Le Van Tuy, the group of young people excitedly watched the skillful hands of the artisan guiding them in sewing the hats, along with his stories. According to artisan Le Van Tuy, the village began producing hats in the 8th century. At that time, Chuong village was called Trang Thi Trung, specializing in making hats for almost all social classes. During its development, Chuong village supplied many types of traditional hats such as the chin-strap hat and the hat made from old leaves joined together; the chin-strap hat was worn by the elderly when going to the temple, while the hat made from old leaves joined together served women working in the fields.

“The trip was very rewarding and interesting. I got to visit Chuong conical hat village, a rustic and simple village with many ancient houses nestled together, preserving national cultural values, and witness artisans making conical hats and straw hats,” shared Tran Minh Phuong, a student from Hanoi University of Culture.

The craft of hat weaving in Chuong village has been passed down through many generations, making it one of the most famous centers for conical hat production in Hanoi. Currently, about 2,700 households in Chuong village weave conical hats, providing affordable products with diverse designs for domestic and international customers. To create a conical hat with the distinctive characteristics of Chuong village, the artisans must go through many meticulous steps, from preparing the raw materials such as selecting and processing the leaves to the finishing touches. Sewing the hat is the most difficult step. Skilled hat weavers must ensure that the leaves are not crushed, the needle marks are not visible, and the stitches are even, tight, and tightly woven, with no gaps visible when examined closely. The hat is complete when the brim, or the strap attachment, is finished. Depending on the hat, the brim is colored and mixed accordingly. To prevent water penetration, the artisans apply a thin layer of pine oil to the outside.

“Making a conical hat is difficult enough, but finding a market for Chuong village conical hats in the context of declining demand for traditional products is even more challenging. However, many households in Phuong Trung have found new directions, focusing on producing goods for tourism and export. Many new hat designs have emerged, notably silk hats – made in combination with Ha Dong silk. Thanks to this, the hat-making craft is gradually being restored and is developing steadily. Besides serving traditional needs, there are also hats made as souvenirs and decorations,” said artisan Le Van Tuy.

According to Mr. Tran Van Loi, Head of the Culture and Information Department of Thanh Oai District, in recent years, Chuong village has become a destination in several handicraft village tours. Currently, Phuong Trung commune has planned and is awaiting approval from competent authorities for a nearly 20-hectare project to develop the hat-making craft. With these directions, it is hoped that the hat-making craft will develop more strongly, thereby increasing the income of those involved in the craft and contributing positively to the construction of new rural areas.

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