The beauty of Sai Nga conical hat-making village

Nestled along the banks of the Thao River, Sai Nga Village in Cam Khe Town, Cam Khe District, is renowned for its traditional conical hat-making craft. Originally a supplementary occupation, the craft of making conical hats in Sai Nga has been preserved and developed over generations. Today, it is not only a source of livelihood but also an important cultural tradition, contributing to both economic growth and the preservation of the village’s unique heritage.

According to local artisans, the craft of making conical hats was introduced to Sai Nga by residents of Chuong Village (now Thanh Oai, Hanoi) who sought refuge here during times of upheaval. The craft of conical hat-making has been preserved in the commune for approximately 70–80 years, with production mainly concentrated in Van Phu 1, 2, and 3.

Ms. Tran Thi Hang from Van Phu 1, Cam Khe Town, shared, "In our village, hat-making is a skill passed down through generations—everyone, from the elderly to young children, knows how to craft a conical hat. The oldest artisans are over 80 years old, while the youngest—typically secondary school students—can assist with certain steps of the hat-making process. In my family, three generations are engaged in hat-making: my grandmother, my mother, and my daughter. Since my daughter is only in 7th grade, she mainly assists with basic tasks such as stuffing and sewing, mostly in her free time. The more intricate steps are handled by my grandmother and mother.

Crafting a conical hat involves multiple steps and requires materials such as palm leaves, molds, rims, bamboo or reed spathes, fishing line, and wool for stuffing. In the past, people often used a plow-like tool to press the leaves flat. However, they have now adopted bamboo strips and electric stoves for ironing the leaves. Once the necessary materials are prepared, they begin the hat-making process. The finished conical hats are sold in local and regional markets, with prices ranging from 25,000 to 100,000 VND, depending on the size of the hat.

An experienced artisan can craft an average of two large conical hats or six to seven small ones per day.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Hai, a resident of Van Phu 1, shared that the conical hat-making craft in Sai Nga village has experienced many fluctuations over the years. During its golden age, demand for hats exceeded supply. However, economic shifts led many young people to seek employment in industrial parks, causing a decline in the craft.

Today, only a few elderly villagers are still practicing the craft. However, the people of Sai Nga village still cherish the tradition of conical hat-making, as it has provided off-season employment for generations, contributed to economic growth, and added to the region’s cultural identity.

Although primarily a seasonal occupation, conical hat-making provides a stable income for many locals.

Currently, around 500 households in the village are engaged in conical hat-making, producing approximately 550,000 hats annually and generating annual revenue in the tens of billions of VND. Sai Nga was officially recognized as a craft village in 2004, with hat-making accounting for 40% of local income. In 2021, its conical hats received a 3-star OCOP rating, which was upgraded to 4-star status in 2024.

Speaking about the current development of the craft village, Mr. Nguyen Duc Truong, Vice Chairman of the Cam Khe Town People’s Committee, noted that the shift from traditional crafts to industrial park-based economic development has led to a decline in the number of young workers engaged in the craft.

Additionally, as lifestyles change, people’s habits of using hats for sun and rain protection have shifted, leading to a gradual decline in the scale of hat-making.

To sustain the craft village, the local government raises awareness and encourages artisans to expand and diversify conical hat designs. Efforts also focus on enhancing the quality of conical hats for daily use, expanding into commercial and tourism-oriented products, and promoting tourist destinations both within and beyond the province.

The hats are also packaged in gift boxes, making them more appealing for domestic and international visitors who come to explore and immerse themselves in the craft village experience.

With these efforts, we believe that in the near future, Sai Nga’s conical hat craft will continue to thrive, preserving its cultural heritage while contributing to economic stability and improving local livelihoods.

Vinh Ha