The 23-year-old former engineering student has taken an unexpected turn: from equations to etching, trading circuit boards for creativity.

His mission? To breathe new life into Vietnam’s iconic 'non la' (conical hat) by weaving in motifs drawn from the country’s ancient heritage.

An artist’s lab in a room for one

Huy’s creative workshop is modest: just a corner of his rented room set aside for trial and error.

Early experiments with parchment paper, plastic bottles, and jute fabric taught him not only patience but also precision.

He combs through museum collections and history books for inspiration.

He personally sources plain 'non la' from markets, selecting only those with the right shape and finish for his work.

His standout design pays tribute to the Dong Son drum, a symbol of Vietnam’s Bronze Age civilization.

On recycled soda cans pressed into the hat’s surface, he painstakingly carves traditional patterns: stylized sunbursts, Lac birds, warriors and festivals — ages-old images reborn in aluminum and lacquer.

Another signature piece features lotus petals, carefully arranged on the conical surface to evoke purity and grace — a subtle nod to Vietnamese values of resilience and dignity.

Tradition meets young, global audiences

While the 'non la' has long been a staple of rural life, Huy’s reinterpretations are capturing the imagination of a younger, urban audience.

Orders from young customers — many drawn by the hats’ nostalgic yet modern aesthetic — have surged recently.

Miniature versions of his designs are also being snapped up by local travel agencies as souvenirs for foreign tourists.

“By blending traditional materials with modern expression, I hope to bridge generations — and carry Vietnamese identity into a global context," he said.