“Can you bring me back one of those hats?…If it’s no trouble?” a friend asked while I was in Vietnam. What he was referring to was a conical, or Vietnamese hat. Of course I said “yes,” then had no idea how I was going to bring it back. Luckily, one of the Urban Adventures guides offered a great tip on how to pack a Vietnamese hat which I explain then show in the video below.
I also learned during my visit to Vietnam that the conical hats have at least five uses:
It can be used:
- To provide shade to your head and face.
- As a fan to cool you off.
- As a seat, if you don’t want to get your bum dirty.
- As a drinking vessel.
- As a bowl or basket to gather fruit, vegetables, etc.
I purchased this Vietnamese hat from a sweet grandmother’s weaving shop in the Mekong Delta for about $2.50 U.S. I was not going to haggle over the price because I was expecting to pay at least $5. She and her family weave grass mats, hats and other items. She was so sweet and grateful for my purchase and I will never forget her or that embrace.
I kinda wish I brought one back to me but I did purchase a small Vietnamese hat which hangs on my wall next to mementos from Thailand and Japan.
Below is the video and if it does not play, visit my video on how to pack a Vietnamese hat here.
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