Here we see a passenger in a hand-rowed sampan drifting under the shade of coconut trees on one of the Mekong River’s natural canals, near My Tho, Vietnam.
The hat in the picture is a well-used nón lá, or palm-leaf conical hat, which is a traditional symbol of Vietnamese of any age and gender. A faded but colorful silk strap looped under the chin keeps this hat from falling off into the canal. A nón lá is light, sturdy, and easy to wear (except in wind), and provides good shade. It also makes a great souvenir of a visit to Vietnam.
iball round the world 