The Non La (Traditional Vietnamese Hat)
The name of the traditional conical hats that were worn in Vietnam is Non La, which means leaf hat. The hat is made from young leaves that have been softened by the dew and flattened either by hand or ironing. It is coated with an oil for protection. The Non La is worn primarily by women, although there are some versions designed for men. A Vietnamese feminine beauty standard is white skin, so the hats are used to protect the skin from the harsh sun and rain. Special conical hats were called Non Bai Tho which means poetical leaf because they were adorned with poetic verses that were only visible when the hat is above your head in the sunlight. Throughout the years, Non La's evolved to the point where there were over 50 versions however the hats are now only worn in agricultural areas.
Here are some pictures of Non La's being worn during the Vietnam War:
The Non La is very similar to the Ao Dai in its place in Vietnam's society. They are both an important and symbolic thing for women to wear. They also both have developed in style over time, but still remain a traditional part of the culture.
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