The “nón lá” (conical hat), a symbol of Vietnamese culture, is not just a rain and sun shield but also a delicate work of art, embodying the soul of the countryside and the gentle beauty of the Vietnamese people. Have you ever made your own “nón lá” with a personal touch and discovered the fascinating stories behind this traditional craft? A half-day “nón lá” making tour will take you to the famous Chuong “nón lá” village, where you can immerse yourself in a unique cultural space, learn about the intricate hat-making process, and create your own “nón lá” as a souvenir. The journey doesn’t just stop at exploring the craft village; it also takes you to Thang Nghiem Pagoda, an ancient pagoda with unique architecture and a long history, offering a complete and meaningful cultural tourism experience.
Chuong Village: Preserving the Soul of the Countryside in Each Conical Hat
Chuong Village, also known as Non Chuong Village, located in Phuong Trung commune, Thanh Oai district, Hanoi, has long been renowned for its traditional “nón lá” making craft. With a history of over 300 years of formation and development, Chuong Village is not only a place for producing “nón lá” but also a living museum preserving cultural values and the quintessence of national handicrafts. Coming to Chuong Village, you will feel the peaceful and slow-paced life of the Vietnamese countryside, where houses with bright red tile roofs are hidden under cool green trees, the joyful laughter of villagers resonates, and the distinctive aroma of “nón lá” leaves, bamboo, and reeds fills the air.
Making “nón lá” in Chuong Village is not just a livelihood but also a source of pride, the dedication of generations of artisans. To create a complete “nón lá”, artisans must go through many meticulous and elaborate steps, from selecting leaves, drying them, making the frame, layering the hat, sewing it, to completing the decorative details. Each step requires the skill, meticulousness, and experience of the craftsman.
On the “nón lá” making experience tour, you will meet and chat with dedicated artisans of Chuong Village, listen to them share about the history of the craft village, the secrets of family hat-making, and the difficulties and challenges in preserving and developing traditional crafts in modern society. You will be surprised and admire the talented hands of the artisans as you witness them transform simple “nón lá” leaves into exquisite works of art.
Artisan in Chuong village teaching tourists how to make non la hats
“Nón Lá” Making Experience: Create Your Own Memorable Souvenir
The highlight of this experience tour is the opportunity for you to participate in the “nón lá” making process yourself. Under the enthusiastic guidance of artisans, you will experience basic hat-making steps such as:
- Selecting and processing “nón lá” leaves: You will learn about different types of “nón lá” leaves, how to choose standard leaves, and the process of treating leaves to ensure durability and beautiful natural colors for the hat.
- Making the hat frame: You will be guided on how to create a hat frame from bamboo or reeds, a step that requires skill and precision to create a balanced shape for the hat.
- Layering and sewing the hat: This is the most important step, determining the quality and aesthetics of the hat. You will learn how to layer each layer of “nón lá” leaves onto the frame evenly and beautifully, then sew them in place with silk or crochet thread.
- Decorating the hat: After completing the basic steps, you can freely create and decorate your own hat by painting pictures, writing calligraphy, or adding accessories such as flowers, beads, ribbons, etc.
During the experience, you will not only learn hat-making techniques but also gain a deeper understanding of the cultural, artistic, and economic values of the “nón lá” making craft for the lives of Chuong villagers. The “nón lá” hat you make yourself will be a priceless souvenir, bearing your personal mark and memorable memories of your cultural experience trip to the traditional craft village.
Thang Nghiem Pagoda: Explore Historical Relics and Unique Architecture
Before arriving at Chuong “nón lá” village, the tour will take you to visit Thang Nghiem Pagoda, an ancient pagoda located in Thanh Liet commune, Thanh Tri district, Hanoi. Thang Nghiem Pagoda is not only a famous spiritual site but also a valuable historical and cultural relic, associated with the formation and development history of ancient Thang Long Citadel.
According to historical records, Thang Nghiem Pagoda was built in 1010, during the reign of King Ly Thai To, at the same time as the capital was moved from Hoa Lu to Thang Long. The pagoda was built with the aim of praying for national peace and prosperity, showing the court’s concern for the spiritual life of the people. Through many historical events and time, Thang Nghiem Pagoda still retains its ancient and solemn beauty and unique architecture imbued with the artistic style of the Ly Dynasty.
Coming to Thang Nghiem Pagoda, you will admire the unique architecture with structures such as the three-entrance gate, bell tower, Ancestral House, and Buddha Hall. Each structure bears the imprint of traditional Vietnamese Buddhist architecture, with delicate carvings, meticulous decorative patterns, and harmonious, elegant colors. Besides architecture, Thang Nghiem Pagoda also preserves many valuable historical and cultural artifacts such as Buddha statues, bronze bells, and stone steles.
Visiting Thang Nghiem Pagoda is not only an opportunity for you to learn about the history, architecture, and Buddhist culture of Vietnam but also a chance for you to find a peaceful place, dispel the fatigue and worries of everyday life, and feel peace and serenity in your soul. The harmonious combination of craft village cultural experience and exploration of historical relics will bring you a meaningful and memorable travel journey.
“Nón Lá” Making Experience Tour Itinerary (Half-day)
Morning:
- 8:00 AM: Car and tour guide pick you up at the meeting point in Hanoi Old Quarter area, depart for Thang Nghiem Pagoda.
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Visit and listen to the tour guide introduce the history, architecture, and culture of Thang Nghiem Pagoda. Freely visit and take souvenir photos at the pagoda.
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Transfer to Chuong “nón lá” village.
- 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Arrive at Chuong “nón lá” village, meet artisans and listen to introductions about the history and process of making “nón lá”. Participate in the “nón lá” making experience under the guidance of artisans. Freely shop for “nón lá” and handicraft products at the craft village.
- 11:30 AM: Car takes you back to the city center of Hanoi.
- 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Car and tour guide take you back to the original meeting point. End of the half-day “nón lá” making experience tour program.
Afternoon:
- The afternoon tour program has a similar itinerary to the morning, starting at 12:00 PM and ending at 5:30 PM.
Conclusion
The half-day “nón lá” making experience tour is a unique and meaningful cultural tourism journey, offering you the opportunity to discover the beauty of traditional Vietnamese craft villages, learn about national history and culture, and experience interesting and rewarding activities. Take the time to join this experience tour to feel more deeply about Vietnamese cultural values and create memorable memories on your trip. Don’t forget to bring back the lovely “nón lá” hats made by your own hands as meaningful gifts for family and friends.