Chuong Conical Hat Village is one of the captivating destinations when you travel to Hanoi. This village carries a nostalgic beauty with its ancient architecture, deeply connected to the renowned traditional craft of making conical hats from palm leaves. A visit to Chuong Conical Hat Village allows you to reconnect with the traditional values of our nation.
Chuong Conical Hat Village: Craft Village imbued with Vietnamese Soul
Nestled within the traditional cultural space of the capital, Chuong Conical Hat Village in Chuong My exudes the ancient beauty of a village deeply intertwined with the famous craft of making conical hats. From here, the hats, adorned with earthy colors or modernized with new decorations, are crafted and carried by visitors to various regions across the country, promoting the beautiful image of the Vietnamese people in general and women in particular.
Most of the villagers in Chuong make a living through traditional handmade hat crafting, as agricultural activities such as farming and animal husbandry are limited due to fewer development opportunities in the area. According to many long-time residents of the village, they are not certain when conical hats first appeared but acknowledge their enduring presence to this day.
The majority of Chuong villagers sustain their livelihood through the handicraft of making conical hats, with limited engagement in farming or animal husbandry due to limited development opportunities in the area. According to many long-time residents of the village, they are not certain when conical hats first appeared, but they acknowledge their enduring presence to this day.
How to get to Chuong Conical Hat Village
Chuong Village is a small village located next to the Day River, approximately 30km from the city center and about 3km from the center of Thanh Oai district. To reach Chuong Village, you can travel from National Highway 21B to the east. The embankment along the Day River is an important route where villagers often dry materials in preparation for making conical hats.
If traveling from the city center, there are two main directions: first, from the west side of the Day River embankment, and second, coming directly to the village. You can use personal vehicles such as motorcycles or cars. Alternatively, you can experience taking a bus to a location near the village and then walk to explore!
Here are some bus routes that pass through Chuong My:
– Route 37: Giap Bat Bus Station – Chuong My
– Route 57: Nam Thang Long – Phu Nghia Industrial Zone
– Route 72: Yen Nghia Bus Station – Xuan Mai
– Route 102: Yen Nghia Bus Station – Van Dinh
– Route 114: Yen Nghia Bus Station – Mieu Mon
Some motorcycle rental addresses in Hoa Lac for your reference:
– Sao Ha Noi Motorcycle Rental
– Hanoibiker Motorcycle Rental
– Motogo Motorcycle Rental
Most of these places have high-quality vehicles, which is a significant advantage that leaves a good impression on customers when renting a motorcycle. They offer a range of excellent, modern models, including both manual and automatic motorcycles such as Yamaha Sirius, Honda Vision, Lead, Air Blade, etc.
Learn the history of Chuong Conical Hat Village
Chuong Conical Hat Village, also known as Conical Hat Village, is an ancient craft village located in the former Ha Tay province, now part of Hanoi. The exact founding date of Chuong Conical Hat Village is unknown, but it boasts a rich history spanning over a thousand years. According to the village’s elderly residents, it was originally named Trang Thi Trung and later expanded into a larger settlement due to an increase in population.
As shared by the village elders, the tradition of crafting conical hats in Chuong Village has a history of more than 300 years, with its precise origins lost to time. In the past, Chuong Conical Hat Village produced a diverse array of hats tailored for various social classes, including those for martial artists, ceremonial occasions, pointed hats, and more. Initially crafted for local use, the conical hats of Chuong Village gradually gained widespread recognition, extending beyond the village boundaries to become a sought-after commodity sold nationwide. They even became prized offerings for queens and princesses in the imperial court.
Experiences when coming to Chuong Conical Hat Village
Immerse yourself in the “Conical Hat” Markets
Chuong Market is one of the distinctive features of Chuong Conical Hat Village. This place serves not only as a community gathering spot but also as a platform for promoting traditional products.
According to the tradition, the market sessions begin early in the morning and typically run until around 8 a.m. on the 4th, 10th, 14th, 20th, 24th, and 30th days of the lunar calendar. The conical hat stalls operated by the women in Chuong Village at the market stand out with their elegant white colors, creating a serene and unique atmosphere.
Check in at Chuong Conical Hat Village
Chuong Conical Hat Village embodies the ancient and distinctive beauty characteristic of the traditional villages in Hanoi. This locale is a popular weekend destination in Hanoi, known for its numerous picturesque corners, making it a favorite spot for leisure activities. With a simple lift of your camera, you can capture a dazzling photo set.
Strolling around the Conical Hat Village, you can explore the cultural beauty of this traditional craft village and learn more about the history of Chuong Village. It is truly a precious experience for those who cherish the rich heritage of the Vietnamese land.
Experience becoming an “artist” with the stages of making Chuong Conical Hat
Not only can you visit, but you can also actively participate in the traditional conical hat-making process. This is considered an interesting experience for those seeking to understand the cultural aspects of the community. Additionally, you have the opportunity to purchase and personally decorate your own palm-leaf hat or create a unique gift for your loved ones.
Explore the communal pagoda of Chuong Conical Hat Village
Chuong Village Pagoda, constructed in 1894, is situated in a beautiful location near the national highway. The pagoda exhibits the distinctive “domestic-foreign” architectural style typical of the Nguyen Dynasty, including the Central Hall, Rear Hall, and Great Precinct.
You will be mesmerized by the architecture featuring intricately carved dragon motifs and auspicious symbols, crafted from rare ironwood. Additionally, the pagoda in Chuong Conical Hat Village preserves many historical artifacts from ancient times, adding to its cultural significance.
Participate in the Chuong Conical Hat Village Festival
The largest festival of Chuong Conical Hat Village takes place on the 10th day of the third lunar month and lasts for three days, from the 9th to the 11th day of the third lunar month. Additionally, Chuong Village also holds a fair around the 10th day of the first lunar month every year.
The market here is not only a place for buying and selling goods but also a gathering spot for various cultural activities in the region. You can visit during these days to immerse yourself in the lively festival atmosphere.
Visit Chuong Conical Hat Village – What do you eat?
Chuong Conical Hat Village is beloved by tourists not only for its cultural beauty but also for its culinary delights. You can visit Chuong Village Market, located near the Nguyen Dynasty-style pagoda, to savor traditional and famous dishes of Hanoi.
In addition, the rolled rice pancake (bánh cuốn) of Chuong Conical Hat Village is extremely popular and well-received by many tourists. Furthermore, at Chuong Market, you can find a unique dish called “bánh đúc lạc,” which is sold during each market session. Although these dishes are simple and rustic, deeply connected to the daily life of the locals, their delicious flavors are unforgettable.
Experience visiting Chuong Conical Hat Village
For the most comprehensive experience of conical hat making, from the crafting process to the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the village market, it is advisable to visit Chuong Conical Hat Village during the market sessions. Chuong Village Market convenes six times a month on the lunar calendar (on the 4th, 10th, 14th, 20th, 24th, and 30th days). If timing is not convenient, consider visiting Chuong Village early in the morning on sunny days.
The Chuong Village Market starts very early, around 4 a.m., and concludes by around 9 a.m. By noon, activities wind down as people take a break to prepare and enjoy their meals. Visiting the village in the early morning is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Chuong Village market. On sunny days, you’ll have the chance to witness palm leaves drying everywhere.
Chuong Conical Hat Village exudes the traditional and rustic beauty of a Northern Vietnamese countryside, coupled with the unique charm brought about by the craft of making palm-leaf hats. If you have the opportunity to visit Hanoi for tourism, be sure to explore Chuong Village to rediscover the simple beauty of the nation’s heritage and the history of its formation and development. You are guaranteed to have wonderful experiences and unforgettable moments when you step foot in this charming village.
