The Conical Hat Craft Village in Sai Nga

Sai Nga Commune, Cam Khe District, Phu Tho Province

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Creating a simple conical hat, artisans in the Sai Nga conical hat village utilize locally available materials such as young palm leaves, harvested and dried before being flattened. Meanwhile, artisan Gia Thanh has to procure materials from the Thanh Hoa rocky mountain region.

Crafting a conical hat involves numerous steps, including selecting and purchasing raw materials, making the frame, leaves, spinning, stitching, smoothing, and drying. After the craftsman arranges the leaves in layers around the hat frame, a layer of bamboo strips and another layer of leaves are added and stitched together. Stitching is a delicate process, as any lack of skill may result in tearing the leaves. The artisan’s hands swiftly guide the needle evenly from the inner circle to the outer circle.

Once the conical hat is stitched, the craftsman uses a blowing technique to give it a smooth, white finish and prevent mold. A beautiful conical hat must ensure a flat and elegant crown, with smooth and even stitching. Between the thin layers of leaves, decorative elements like leaf patterns and traditional architectural features are embedded into the hat.

Conical hats have long been a symbol of beauty for Vietnamese women; the sight of white conical hats dotting the lush green rice fields or golden fields of ripe grain has become an enduring image of tranquility in the Vietnamese countryside.