Visit my website for this and other wonderful finds
Preloved Vintage Vietnamese Pith Helmet (Non-Combat)
According to ChatGPT - This is not a real combat military helmet — it's a Vietnamese Pith Helmet (also called a "sun helmet" or "salad bowl helmet").
Here’s how I can tell:
It's made of pressed layers of material (like cork, cardboard, or plastic), not ballistic-grade materials like Kevlar or steel.
The cracking and material inside shows it's not meant to stop bullets or shrapnel — it's for sun protection and identification.
The sticker inside reads "QUỐC PHÒNG SẢN XUẤT" (roughly "National Defense Production" in Vietnamese), which is typical for Vietnamese pith helmets issued to military, police, or civil defense workers mainly for non-combat duties.
The fabric cover and ventilation holes are also classic signs of pith helmets used throughout Southeast Asia, especially in Vietnam.
These helmets are iconic — they were worn by North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong troops during the Vietnam War, but mainly for marching, patrols, or ceremonies, not active fighting.
The outer rim measures 30.2cm x 26.7cm, with a height of 13cm. The interior measures 18cm x 17cm.
It has cracking and marking. Please view all the photos.
Note - sold as a collector's item only. It is not intended for use as a military helmet.
Preloved Vintage Vietnamese Pith Helmet (Non-Combat)
Click on the images to see a larger picture. There are multiple photos showing the product.