The conical hat is a symbol of gentleness and simplicity, representing Vietnamese women and the land and people of Vietnam. Across the S-shaped land of Vietnam, the image of the conical hat can be found everywhere. Depending on each region, there are different methods of making conical hats to suit local conditions, yet all creativity is rooted in traditional handcraft techniques and the meaningful purpose of honoring the beauty of Vietnamese women. I grew up in a poor rural area of Southern Vietnam, where the images of the conical hat, the checkered scarf, and the bà ba shirt were deeply imprinted in my childhood memories and became my emotional baggage as I stepped into life. It can be said that the checkered scarf, the conical hat, and the bà ba shirt together form the most perfect symbol of the pure and gentle soul of Southern Vietnamese women. Therefore, from real life to folk songs, poetry, and literature, the image of the conical hat is always associated with the gentle Vietnamese girl and the hardworking mother enduring sun and rain. “Homeland is the small bamboo bridge, Mother returns, her conical hat tilted to shield her face” The conical hat appeared in Vietnam during the Trần Dynasty, around the 13th century. Since then, it has remained inseparable from the Vietnamese people, like a shadow following its form. The conical hat is for everyone—it does not distinguish gender, wealth, age, or social status. Farmers wear it in the fields; soldiers carry it into battle; artists and couples wear it when attending festivals; royal consorts and princesses wear it in the imperial palace; women wear it when going to pagodas to pray; and laborers wear it in their daily work. Silently and modestly, it has always been present in Vietnamese life. Perhaps that is why the conical hat has long become a symbol of Vietnam and its people. In daily life, the conical hat is a very “practical” item. Although there are many types of conical hats in Vietnam, they all share common features: wide brims to protect from sun and rain, and a sloping shape that allows rainwater to drain quickly. There are pointed conical hats, wide-brimmed basket-shaped hats, and the traditional three-layered hat. During wartime, when seeing their lovers off to the battlefield, young women often wore conical hats with purple chin straps symbolizing faithfulness. That simple image carried more meaning than countless vows, bringing peace of mind to those heading to war. Beyond practicality, the conical hat also serves as an adornment, enhancing the charm of Vietnamese women and reflecting the Vietnamese aesthetic of subtle, modest beauty. Vietnamese girls treat the conical hat like jewelry, often attaching a small round mirror inside the hat so they can discreetly adjust their appearance. Amid the dense canals and waterways of the Southern countryside, beneath the brim of the conical hat, a young woman’s eyes, smile, and soft sideburns appear even more graceful, modest yet irresistibly charming—leaving many captivated. The most elaborate type is the poetic conical hat, decorated with hidden drawings beneath the layers of palm leaves— cheerful patterns, bamboo groves, rice fields, or romantic verses— visible only when held up to the sunlight. This is known as the “poem conical hat.” Within it lies the beauty of an entire cultural region. For Huế women, when going out, the traditional áo dài and conical hat are indispensable. Whether early morning or late afternoon, the conical hat is a constant companion. “The hat is so Huế, yet life is not the same, The sun rises from the tilt of your conical hat” The conical hat accompanies farmers to the fields, joining them in labor for abundant harvests. When the wind dies down, it becomes a fan for cooling; turned upside down, it can hold freshly picked vegetables, fruits, or even water. Today, the conical hat has become a symbol of Vietnam in the eyes of international friends. It is always included in tourists’ luggage as a cherished souvenir from Vietnam. The conical hat is not merely a practical item but a quiet beauty of Vietnamese culture. No matter how life changes or how modern society becomes, the conical hat will forever remain a companion of the Vietnamese people. I am certain of that. <!– wp:acf/blockpostquote {“id”:”block_671a2b2a90433″,”name”:”acf/blockpostquote”,”data”:{“blockPostQuote_background”:”#abb8c3″,”_blockPostQuote_background”:”field_671_