Conical Hats of Hanoi
After arriving in Vietnam, you'll see a conical hat, and it is part of daily life until you leave the country. The conical hats, which are made out of tightly woven straw or bamboo, are worn by people all over Vietnam to protect the crown heads of cyclists, people working the ricefields, rowing a boat, selling fruit in the street, or with elegantly dressed business women.
The obvious reason for wearing the conical hat (or no'n ba`i tho in Vietnamese) is of course not for esthetic reasons but for protection from the scourching heat of the sun or the heavy rains that often occur in Vietnam. They are extremely lightweight, resistant, and plaited with palm leaves.
Under these conical hats, you can see a hardworking face, a sweet smile and a sweating peasant with their working clothes... Conical hats certainly add to the exotic picture of the country.
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