Conical Hat Legacy - Explore and Experience

  Over the past decade, the  Chuong Village Poetry Club  has published four poetry collections with nearly a thousand poems celebrating the homeland, preserving cultural nuances  Introduction Growing up in the cradle of one of the country's greatest cultural treasures, every child of Chuong village understands their personal responsibility toward heritage. How to preserve cultural heritages? First and foremost, we must consider cultural heritage such as Chuong Market. Chuong Market is the "cultural cradle" of Chuong village and a shared asset of the community. Families living near the market are prohibited from expanding or encroaching on public land for private use. According to historical inscriptions, Chuong Market has existed for a long time, originating alongside Chuong village approximately 1,700 years ago. The market has been a bustling trading hub for 350 years (1663 - 2013), and thus, the local population must protect this vibrant landscape. Historica...

  It is likely that Chuong Market emerged when the villagers began making hats? as materials had to be purchased? Introduction Few villages possess a wealth of architectural heritage as diverse and impressive as the ancient Vietnamese village of Chuong, now part of Phuong Trung commune, Thanh Oai district, Hanoi. If you have the chance to visit such a historically rich village, you certainly cannot resist exploring the interconnected cultural relics recognized as national historical sites by the Ministry of Culture and Information on March 16, 1985, which include Chuong Temple, Chuong Pagoda, and Chuong Market. Visiting Chuong Temple First, we visit the Chuong village temple, which is believed to have existed for a long time, originally built simply with bamboo and thatch. It was not until the early 19th century, during the reign of King Gia Long (1802-1819), that Vietnam entered a period of significant reforms and construction. The Nguyen Dynasty, starting with King Gia Long...

"On the tenth, visit Chuong Fair, Watch human chess, and see who cooks the best rice." Introduction "Every country has its laws, and every village has its customs." This principle has guided communities throughout the ages, promoting prosperity and peace within villages. After our country was liberated from foreign invaders, Chuong village reflected on its ancestral customs. Practices that remain relevant are preserved and enhanced, while outdated ones are discarded in favor of social progress. Local Culture and Traditions First, let's delve into the most beautiful aspects of this ancient village's culture! Longevity Celebrations Celebrating longevity is a cherished tradition in our nation: "Respect the elderly! The elderly bring wisdom!" From now on, individuals who reach 70 years old receive a longevity certificate, and those who turn 80 receive a special blessing. Every year on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the elderly association...

Types of Hats Thúng Quai Thao Hat : According to tradition, the hat-making craft in Chuong village dates back to before King Ly Cong Uan moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Dai La. During that time, the people of Chuong primarily made "thúng quai thao" hats to meet the demands of festivals and court performances during the annual lunar festival. This is a wide-brimmed, round hat resembling a large tray. The outer rim has a raised edge running around it, giving the hat a shape similar to a large gong. In the center, there is a “khua” shaped like a rice measuring cup woven from bamboo, designed to fit snugly on the wearer’s head.  The thúng quai thao hat is classified into three types: Nón Mười, Nón Nhỡ, and Nón Đấu. As of 2013, only the artisan couple Trần Canh in Trung Chính village continued to make these traditional hats. Pineapple-Top Hat (Nón Chóp Dứa) : During the early Le Dynasty (1428-1527), alongside the thúng quai thao hats, artisans began creating the pineapp...

  What need is there for wealth or status? This hat-making craft makes one a figure of respect in the village! Introduction The village of Chuong is renowned for its hat-making craft, which has thrived for over 100 years. While it may seem simple at first glance, the process of making hats in Chuong involves many intricate steps and considerable skill. Selecting Raw Materials The most common type of hat produced in Chuong is the "la gia" (mature leaf) hat. However, the leaves used are actually "bánh tẻ" (neither too mature nor too young) from the nipa palm (cọ). Experienced artisans venture into the nipa palm forest, expertly selecting large, mature leaves that resemble umbrellas and bundling them together. The Hat-Making Process   Once the leaves are gathered, the artisans waste no time and begin the meticulous process: 1.  Trimming the Leaves : The artisans carefully remove all the veins and use various cutting techniques to retain only the tender, fleshy parts. 2...

Nestled in the ancient cultural space of Phuong Trung Commune, Thanh Oai, Hanoi, our conical hat village is not just a place for hat production but also the heart and soul of an ancient Vietnamese village. Every year, tens of thousands of hats are crafted by the skilled hands of local artisans, carrying the unique cultural imprint of Vietnamese women. Where I Call Home Welcome to Chuong Village, where I was born and raised. Nestled in the ancient cultural space of Phuong Trung Commune, Thanh Oai, Hanoi, our conical hat village is not just a place for hat production but also the heart and soul of an ancient Vietnamese village. Every year, tens of thousands of hats are crafted by the skilled hands of local artisans, carrying the unique cultural imprint of Vietnamese women. A Beautiful Corner of Home Chuong Village is just 3 km from the center of Thanh Oai District and about 30 km from downtown Hanoi. Covering an area of nearly 481.44 hectares, our village consists of eight hamlets: Ta...