The conical hat craft of Làng Chuông village - the soul of the countryside in every hat

The conical hat craft of Làng Chuông village - the soul of the countryside in every hat

Amid the fast pace of urbanization, there remains a village on the outskirts of Hanoi quietly preserving the traditional conical hat craft through generations. Làng Chuông village, in Phương Trung commune, Thanh Oai district (before July 2025), Hanoi, has long been known as one of the most famous conical hat making villages in Northern Vietnam.

What is the essence of the Làng Chuông conical hat craft?

According to village elders, the conical hat craft in Làng Chuông dates back hundreds of years. The craft has been passed down from generation to generation, creating a community of skilled artisans with meticulous hands. The main material is lụi leaves, purchased from Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, and Quang Tri provinces. The leaves undergo several processing stages: rolling with sand to soften them, drying, and then flattening before use.

Among the many stages of hat making, the most difficult and decisive for the hat's aesthetics is the spinning stage (quay nón). This requires highly skilled artisans who must be careful and meticulous to ensure the hat is smooth and even. The artisan must skillfully avoid exposing the tip, and the leaves must be arranged evenly to prevent bumps.

What is the hidden stitch technique of Làng Chuông village?

The biggest difference that creates the reputation of Làng Chuông hats lies in the refined stitching technique. Artisans from Làng Chuông have the special talent of hiding all the connecting knots of the sewing thread. When looking at a finished hat, one only sees neat, even stitches without any visible joints. To achieve this, the stitches must be short with small holes so the hat is round, tight, and smooth from the leaf edge to the seam. The thread must not break during sewing, as a single break would ruin the seamless line.

What challenges does the traditional craft village face?

Recalling the heyday of the village, artisan Phạm Thị Phấn shared that decades ago, every household in the village made hats. However, in the last two years, the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected exports, reducing income. This situation is common in many traditional craft villages across the country.

How do you develop sustainable craft village tourism?

Tourism in Làng Chuông currently develops spontaneously and on a small scale with little connection, leading to low efficiency. Artisan Tạ Thu Hương, who has developed 6 OCOP products rated 4 stars by the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, said current activities include visiting communal houses and pagodas, experiencing life in ancient houses, and learning about the village's history. Visitors can also directly experience hat making.

However, these activities are quite monotonous, mainly attracting students and foreign tourists. The conical hat is the only distinctive product with almost no supporting products, so purchasing power is low. Phạm Việt Hùng, Chairman of Phương Trung Commune People's Committee, noted the lack of space for product introduction and promotion. The linkage between production facilities still awaits state mechanisms and policies.

How do you keep the traditional craft alive for future generations?

Hanoi has decided to establish an industrial cluster for producing and consuming craft village products. Phương Trung commune plans to reserve an area for product promotion and introduction. The hat-making craft requires dedication, patience, and passion. Local artisans hope for appropriate state support policies to help them find better development opportunities and preserve the craft for future generations. Làng Chuông conical hats have established their brand in the market as a cultural symbol of the Northern Delta region, embodying the soul of the Vietnamese countryside.

Summary table of the characteristics of conical hat making in Chuong village by materials, techniques, and current situation.