May 10, 2026 | 18:47 (GMT+7)
Special market preserves traditional craft values
PANO - While the city still lies deep in sleep, the yard of the communal house of Chuong village in Thanh Oai, Hanoi, is already illuminated by flickering flashlight beams, signaling the opening of the conical hat market that has existed for more than three centuries.
The market begins before dawn, when the night air still carries traces of mist. Villagers arrive carrying hats and raw materials, creating a scene of brisk yet simple trade.
The conical hats, crafted through the diligence of artisans who stay up late and wake up early, are not merely products, but stories of a traditional craft village enduring through time.
The late night to early morning market vividly reflects the lifestyle of Vietnamese farmers: hardworking, resilient, making use of every moment to earn a living while preserving their ancestral craft.
Beneath the roof of the ancient communal house, amidst shimmering lights and cheerful conversations, the conical hat market is not only a trading place, but also a distinctive cultural space where traditions are passed down from one generation to another.
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The conical hat market is held on the 4th, 10th, 14th, 20th, 24th, and 30th days of the lunar month, operating from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. |
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The market supplies materials for conical hat-making, such as bamboo strips, hat frames, palm leaves, and nylon thread. |
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A wide variety of finished conical hats are displayed for sale. |
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Beneath the roof of the ancient communal house, the trading atmosphere is lively and bustling. |
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Each conical hat costs between VND 20,000 and 150,000, depending on quality. |
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Visitors experience hand embroidery on conical hats. |
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This rustic trading rhythm fully reflects the long-lasting vitality of the more than 300-year-old craft village. |
Translated by Song Anh