The traditional attire of Vietnamese women in the north of the country in the old days included a four-flap dress covering a “yem†style brassier, a kerchief and a flat palm hat with fringes.
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The crow’s beak kerchief can wrap the hair tightly and highlight the beauty of wearer. |
Northern women during the mid-20th century often wore the crow's beak kerchief |
As time went on and social patterns changed, the attire has evolved to suit the wearers' daily activities, but some items, including the kerchief, have been retained and help in preserving national culture.
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A crow's beak kerchief is a "must" of the traditional costumes worn by female Quan Ho singers |
Images of old women wearing brown dress and crow’s beak kerchief, and chewing betel quid are seen in many rural areas. |
Before the kerchief is applied, the woman must wrap her long hair in a cloth, secure it with a pin and roll it on the head. Following this the kerchief is tied in a triangle like a crow's beak; hence it is called a crow's beak kerchief. When it is worn properly the kerchief helps shape the face similar to a lotus flower that yet to bloom.
The crow's beak kerchief often goes with the traditional four-flap dress that is one of the cultural spotlights during the rural village festivals.