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A symbol of Vietnamese culture
The conical hat is an extremely familiar image to the Vietnamese people, appearing in poetry, art, and everyday life, embodying a simple yet profound beauty. For this event, Cultra Taproom has chosen the conical hat as the first theme to kick off its series of cultural exhibitions.
A representative from the organizing committee shared: "This is not only a way to tell the story of a traditional handicraft but also an opportunity to convey the message that the simplest things are the most precious, deserving of preservation and dissemination." This is a unique cultural event, taking place from November 30th to December 8th at 30 Hang Da Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, offering a fresh perspective on the conical hat – from its traditional beauty to its application in modern life.
The exhibition brings visitors closer to the process of creating a conical hat – a journey requiring meticulous attention to detail through many stages. From drying, splitting, and ironing the leaves to sewing the hat and brim, each step bears the mark of a skilled craftsman. Sewing the hat is considered the most difficult stage, requiring high skill and dexterity. The stitches must be short, even, and the joints hidden, so that the finished hat is not only beautiful but also durable. At "Flowers Under the Hat Brim," you will witness firsthand the artisans of Chuong village performing each step, gaining a deeper understanding of the labor value behind this familiar product.
The event took place at 30 Hang Da Street, Hanoi.
Unique exhibition space
Cultra Taproom is fortunate to have a unique exhibition space – a 100-year-old house located in the heart of Hanoi. Despite having stood for over a century, the house retains its traditional architecture blended with a modern touch. This is the perfect place to recreate the beauty of the conical hat within its cultural and historical context.
Each conical hat tells its own story, representing the diversity of Vietnamese culture across different regions.
The exhibition area not only showcases familiar types of conical hats, such as the palm leaf hats from Chuong village, but also includes many other unique types such as the sedge hats from Hue, bamboo hats, hand-embroidered hats, and brocade-covered hats. Each hat carries its own story, representing the diversity of Vietnamese culture across different regions. In particular, the exhibition also incorporates decorative images with themes of Vietnamese history and art, taking visitors on a fascinating journey of cultural exploration.
Beyond simply displaying conical hats, the exhibition also incorporates floral art to highlight its main message. "Flowers Under the Hat Brim" symbolizes the artistry of the craftsman, the sunlight on a gently tilted head, and the flowers in the soul of the Vietnamese people. This combination not only creates a visually stunning artistic space but also evokes a spirit of creativity, connecting tradition and modernity.
"Flowers Under the Hat Brim" symbolizes the skillful hands of the artisan and the flowers in the soul of the Vietnamese people.
Furthermore, visitors can decorate mini conical hats themselves by attaching charms in the DIY (Do It Yourself) area, creating a unique souvenir with a strong personal touch. This activity not only attracts participants but also helps spread the image of the Vietnamese conical hat to many places, especially to Generation Z – young people who are always seeking novelty and creativity in traditional values.
The DIY (Do It Yourself) area allows customers to create products that reflect their personal style.
In particular, this is also an opportunity for the conical hat – a familiar cultural symbol – to become more accessible to the younger generation, so that they can see that traditional culture is not outdated but always vibrant and creative.
Following this exhibition, Cultra Taproom promises to continue bringing other meaningful cultural events. "These could be stories about traditional craft villages, signature dishes, or other symbols of Vietnamese culture. Each event is an effort by the Cultra team to preserve and spread cultural values closer to the community," shared a representative from the organizing committee.
Here are some other images from the exhibition:
At "Flowers Under the Hat Brim," you will witness firsthand the artisans of Chuong village performing each step of the process.
This is also an opportunity for the conical hat – a familiar cultural symbol – to become more accessible to the younger generation, so that they can see that traditional culture is not outdated but always vibrant and creative.
