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Adorning the hat, lotus leaves gracefully covering the surface carry the complete essence of the ethnic spirit, transforming into an exquisitely crafted and incredibly unique handmade product, exclusively designed for visitors exploring Hue.
Lotus Palm-Leaf Hat: Embodying the Pure Tradition of Hue
Traveling along the S-shaped land, one easily encounters many lotus ponds emitting a sweet fragrance during the season, or displaying a vibrant green when the lotus seeds mature. As life becomes more vibrant and abundant, people yearn to immerse themselves in the tranquil nature.
If the lotus flower is a distinctive symbol in the nation's literature and art, then the lotus leaf also has its own life. The lotus leaf not only appears in poetry but also influences culinary arts, traditional medicine, and sculpture.
Therefore, a young individual in the Ancient Capital of Hue, driven by a love for the culturally rich traditions of Hue and fueled by curiosity, creativity, has crafted hats entirely from fresh lotus leaves. The lotus palm-leaf hat has thus become a truly special souvenir found nowhere else.
It took extensive time experimenting and researching various types of conical hats, Nguyen Thanh Thao, a former graphic design student at Hue University of Fine Arts, recently succeeded in enhancing the durability of lotus leaves. This achievement allows the lotus leaves to grace the outermost layer of the Hue hat.
Starting with ordinary lotus leaves, Thao processes them through a series of steps: soaking the leaves in bleach, drying, and ironing to produce lotus leaves suitable for hat embroidery. The skillful hands of traditional hat artisans in Doc So, Hue, add finesse and durability to the lotus palm-leaf hat.
With a glossy protective coating, after the final exposure to sunlight, the lotus palm-leaf hat is complete. The diverse and unique veins of the lotus leaves running across the hat's body add an intriguing touch for the wearer.
When the lotus palm-leaf hat is finished, patterns can be painted on it to enhance its visual appeal. Alternatively, the leaves can be dyed to create beautiful colors. Completing a lotus palm-leaf hat requires undergoing at least 5 different stages.
During the Vietnam-Korea cultural exchange at the XQ Hue Embroidery Art Museum, Nguyen Thanh Thao's lotus palm-leaf hats serve as unique souvenirs embodying the essence of Hue, presented to artists from the land of kimchi.
From a lofty idea leading to a completely new handmade product, Nguyen Thanh Thao plans to continue incorporating lotus leaves into items such as bedside lamps and vases, showcasing the unique creativity of the Hue artist.
Until now, all products such as bedside lamps, foldable fans, flower vases, and artworks bear the graceful silhouette of lotus. The most challenging aspect of using lotus leaves lies in keeping them flexible and mold-free, requiring meticulous research and understanding.
With the special lotus palm-leaf hat, Nguyen Thanh Thao won the A Prize in the 2018 Innovative Startup Competition in Thua Thien Hue Province. This served as motivation for the young entrepreneur to explore new avenues in developing souvenir products for tourism.
Alongside various specialties crafted from lotus, these lotus leaf souvenirs contribute to honoring the values of Hue's lotus while leaving a distinct mark on the tourism products of the Ancient Capital.
According to Mytour
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourOctober 18, 2022
