Chuong conical hat village: workshop, market and tours from Hanoi (2026)
Chuong, in Thanh Oai district about 30 to 35 km from central Hanoi, is a village known for its conical hats (non la), made all year with a peak in summer. Sources disagree on the age of the tradition: more than 500 years according to one, about three centuries according to others. Families welcome visitors, show the steps and let you try simple gestures. Allow half a day including travel; tours found in October 2026 start at about 14 to 15 USD and often combine the Quang Phu Cau incense village. A small hat market is held on the 4th, 10th, 14th, 20th, 24th and 30th of each month according to VOV news agency, for about two hours; confirm before going, as we found no second source. See also: the incense village, Bat Trang and Vietnam souvenirs.
Highlights
The conical hat
Made of dried palm leaves sewn on a bamboo frame, an everyday object turned symbol of Vietnam.
The sewing and painting workshop
Tour workshops let you sew or paint your own hat; the highlight travellers mention.
The hat market
On market days craftspeople sell in batches; more authentic than the Old Quarter shops, but short.
Practical info
Tips
- Offers are similar: compare the group size (small group preferable), entries and lunch included, and the time actually spent in the village. A hat bought on the spot usually costs less than in town, but it is bulky in a suitcase: ask for a cover or carry it by hand. If you are short of time, the ao dai photoshoot also gives you a hat for the photo.
How to get there
About 30 to 35 km south of Hanoi (Thanh Oai district), 30 to 60 minutes by road depending on traffic. Simplest: a tour with transfer from the Old Quarter; by car or Grab, the one-way fare costs noticeably more than the tour.
Opening hours
Nearby
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