Travels with Tricia

Last Updated:

April 2, 2020

Photo du Jour: The Ubiquitous Vietnamese Nón Lá Hat

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Tricia A. Mitchell

Photos du Jour (Photo of the Day), Vietnam

From rice paddies to urban centers, wherever you roam in Vietnam, you’re likely to see ladies of all ages donning the traditional nón lá. In Vietnamese, nón lá means ‘leaf hat.’

This conical hat is sported to protect the wearer from rain or sun — whether she be tending to a rice paddy or selling fresh fruit on a bustling street.

As an alternative, some Vietnamese ladies carry a parasol to protect their skin from the sun.

Where in the World?

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

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4 responses to “Photo du Jour: The Ubiquitous Vietnamese Nón Lá Hat”

Maggie L R

January 6, 2012

very colourful photos

Reply
1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  January 6, 2012
  
  The warm smiles of the people in Southeast Asia, and the vibrant landscapes and accents make photographing such a delightful pastime here!
  
  Reply
Karen Salvador

February 19, 2012

How did you like Vietnamese food, Trish? I love Vietnamese food very much and I just know that I would stop and try everything that I can get my hands on!

Reply
1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  February 20, 2012
  
  Hi Karen! We loved the Vietnamese fare – especially that which we tried in the picturesque town of Hoi An. We did a cooking class there and made fresh spring rolls (using rice paper), a savory pancake-like dish (also rolled in rice paper), a banana pancake dessert (so sinful, but quite rich and delicious) and a light jeweled rice. Outside of Hoi An, we enjoyed western-type fare too (sandwiches on wonderful crispy baguettes). The sweet treats were fun too – particularly these gummy, rice-based sugary bars with sesame seeds inside. So tasty – my tummy is rumbling just thinking about it! I’ll be doing a post on the cooking class soon, with the recipes – so stay posted! Have you been to Vietnam?
  
  Reply