TL;DR: The Cổ Loa Festival is a major traditional festival in Đông Anh, Hanoi, opening on the 6th day of the first lunar month at the Upper Temple, where King Thục Phán An Dương Vương is worshipped. It includes solemn rituals (incense offering by the eight Loa Thành communes, offerings, and a palanquin procession) and festive activities with folk games, aiming to educate on the tradition of remembering those who built the nation and the lesson of vigilance in protecting national independence. It is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage tied to the Cổ Loa Special National Relic Site.
What is the Cổ Loa Festival and why is it considered a heritage?
The Cổ Loa Festival is one of the long-standing festivals of Vietnamese culture, held mainly at the Upper Temple, where King Thục Phán An Dương Vương, credited with founding the Âu Lạc state and the Cổ Loa capital, is worshipped, in Đông Anh District, Hanoi[1]. The festival opens on the 6th day of the first lunar month annually[1]. It serves the cultural and spiritual needs of the people, educates on the tradition of remembering those who built the nation, and honors the tradition of resisting foreign invaders[1].
Beyond a local festival, the Cổ Loa Festival has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This recognition affirms its special value in the community's cultural and spiritual life and sets requirements for preserving and promoting the heritage in contemporary contexts. The festival attracts people and visitors to the relic site, contributes to its embellishment and restoration, and raises awareness of preserving an advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity[1].
Summary table of key information about the Cổ Loa Festival by time, space, scale, and activities.
| Aspect | Information in the article |
|---|---|
| Opening time | The 6th day of the first lunar month every year |
| Duration | Many days after the opening, in 2024 until the 16th day of the first lunar month |
| Main organizing space | Thuong Temple, Cổ Loa Special National Relic Site, Đông Anh District, Ha Noi |
| Worshipped figure | King Thục Phán An Dương Vương |
| Scale | Tens of thousands of visitors on the opening day, associated with the eight villages of Loa Thành bat xa |
| Main rituals | Incense offering of Bat xa Loa Thành, ceremonies, procession of the palanquin of King An Dương Vương |
| Festival activities | Wrestling, crossbow shooting, volleyball, human chess, classical opera performance, swinging, Đào Thục water puppetry, quan ho singing on dragon boats |
| Recognized value | National Intangible Cultural Heritage |
| Educational meaning | The tradition of remembering the source when drinking water and the lesson of protecting national independence |
What is the origin and historical significance of the Cổ Loa Festival?
Legend has it that the 6th day of the first lunar month is the day An Dương Vương ascended the throne[2]. People from eight villages in the area chose that day to hold a festival to commemorate his merits[2]. Thus, the Cổ Loa Festival is also called the Loa Thành Bat Xa Festival, meaning the festival of eight communes in the ancient Loa Thành area.
Historically, An Dương Vương is noted for founding the Âu Lạc state and building Cổ Loa Citadel over 2,000 years ago. This was the second state in Vietnamese history, succeeding the Văn Lang state. The festival is an occasion to remember his contributions and to remind people of lessons in protecting national independence[2].
The festival's significance is twofold: it honors the nation-builder and recalls the historical lesson of vigilance. It reviews the lesson of protecting national independence, not being negligent or losing vigilance in any situation[2]. This unique aspect distinguishes it from purely seasonal or folk-belief festivals.
When and where is the Cổ Loa Festival held?
The Cổ Loa Festival takes place on the 6th day of the first lunar month annually[1]. The main venue is the Upper Temple in the Cổ Loa Special National Relic Site, Đông Anh District (before July 2025), Hanoi. The festival often lasts several days after the opening; for example, in 2024, it ran from the opening day to the 16th of the first lunar month.
The scale is large. On the opening day, tens of thousands attended to offer incense in memory of An Dương Vương[2]. It is a major regional festival tied to the eight villages of Loa Thành Bat Xa. The large participation of locals and visitors shows its vitality in contemporary life and reflects the community's cultural and spiritual needs.
What are the parts of the Cổ Loa Festival?
Solemn rituals
The Cổ Loa Festival includes important rituals. In recent years, it has featured: incense offering by the eight Loa Thành communes; performance of offering and worship rituals; and a palanquin procession for King An Dương Vương. These are central rituals expressing the community's reverence for the nation-building king.
The incense offering by the eight communes shows the festival's deep communal nature. The eight communes participate together, fostering cohesion among local communities. The rituals are performed traditionally, helping maintain intangible cultural values tied to ancestor worship.
The palanquin procession is a highlight. The palanquin is carried through the relic site, attracting many participants. These rituals are not only spiritual but also vivid historical education, helping younger generations understand their roots.
What traditional cultural activities happen during the festivities?
Beyond rituals, the festival features rich traditional cultural activities: wrestling, crossbow shooting, volleyball, human chess, classical opera performances, swinging, Đào Thục water puppetry, and quan ho singing on dragon boats[2].
The diversity reflects the composite nature of Vietnamese traditional festivals, where many folk cultural forms coexist. Wrestling and crossbow shooting evoke martial spirit and resistance traditions. Human chess and swinging are highly communal folk games. Classical opera and quan ho singing on dragon boats show cultural exchange, especially the presence of quan ho, a typical intangible cultural heritage of the Kinh Bắc region.
Đào Thục water puppetry is notable, showing the connection between the Cổ Loa Festival and nearby traditional craft villages. It also demonstrates regional linkage in traditional cultural activities.
What are the cultural values and historical lessons of the Cổ Loa Festival?
The Cổ Loa Festival carries multiple layers of value. Culturally, it is an occasion for the community to practice traditional rituals, contributing to preserving and transmitting heritage to future generations. Spiritually, it meets the people's cultural and spiritual needs, providing space to express reverence for those who contributed.
Educationally, it vividly and effectively teaches the tradition of remembering those who built the nation. Through participation, people, especially the youth, can access national history visually. This is a strength of traditional festivals over purely theoretical history education.
Historically, it reviews the lesson of protecting national independence. The story of An Dương Vương and Cổ Loa Citadel is tied to the lesson of vigilance, not being negligent or losing vigilance in any situation. This timeless lesson is remembered and passed down through generations.
How is the Cổ Loa Festival heritage preserved and promoted?
The recognition of the Cổ Loa Festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage sets specific requirements for preservation and promotion. Leaders of Đông Anh District (before July 2025), Hanoi, have affirmed their commitment to preserve and promote its values to match its national status.
Preservation is linked to embellishing and restoring the relic site. The festival attracts people and visitors, contributing to restoration and raising awareness of preserving an advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity[1]. This is a reciprocal relationship: the festival attracts visitors, providing resources for relic preservation, and a well-preserved site enables the festival to be held in a suitable space.
Additionally, the festival promotes the local image. In recent years, activities like exhibitions on Cổ Loa Citadel have been organized, introducing the relic's values to the public. The combination of festival and exhibitions shows a diverse approach to promoting heritage values.
What should you note when learning about the Cổ Loa Festival?
When studying the Cổ Loa Festival, distinguish between legend and history. The story of An Dương Vương, Cổ Loa Citadel, and related events exists in both folk legend and historical records. The festival is where these intersect, creating the community's rich cultural life.
Also note that festival information may vary yearly in scale, duration, and specific activities. Interested parties should consult official local sources for accurate schedules.
Methodologically, studying traditional festivals should be placed in the broader context of Vietnamese culture, including ancestor worship, community activities, and other intangible cultural heritage forms. This approach helps deepen understanding of the festival's role in Vietnamese spiritual life.
