The conical hat craft of Lang Chuong 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. Lang Chuong village, in Phuong Trung commune, Thanh Oai district, Hanoi, has long been known as one of the most famous conical hat making villages in Northern Vietnam.
The essence of the craft
According to village elders, the conical hat craft in Lang Chuong 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 Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Binh 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.
The signature hidden stitch technique
The biggest difference that creates the reputation of Lang Chuong hats lies in the refined stitching technique. Artisans from Lang Chuong 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.
Challenges of the traditional craft village
Recalling the heyday of the village, artisan Pham Thi Phan 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.
Sustainable tourism development
Tourism in Lang Chuong currently develops spontaneously and on a small scale with little connection, leading to low efficiency. Artisan Ta Thu Huong, 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. Pham Viet Hung, Chairman of Phuong 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.
Preserving the craft for future generations
Hanoi has decided to establish an industrial cluster for producing and consuming craft village products. Phuong 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. Lang Chuong 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.
