Co Loa Festival, Hanoi

Among the very old days of the nation, under the reign of King An Duong Vuong, Vietnam was known as Au Lac. The Kind constructed Co Loa citadel as the royal palace of the country. So as to commemorate this event, the residents in the region decided to organize the Co Loa Festival annually at Dong Anh district, which is Hanoi now. 

I. Legend of Co Loa Festival

Co Loa Festival take place from the 6th to the 16th day of the Lunar New Year at An Duong Vuong temple in Dong Anh District, on the outskirts of Hanoi. The festival based on the legend of An Duong King of Au Lac and his magic crossbow.

According to the legend, Genius Kim Quy, a Golden Tortoise, gave Thuc Phan (An Duong Vuong) a magic crossbow which could kill tens of thousands of enemy soldiers at a shot. 

However, the King’s daughter My Chau told the secret of her father’s magic crossbow to her husband Trong Thuy, the son of rebel Chinese general Trieu Da, and thereby unwittingly enabled Trieu Da to conquer Co Loa in 208 B.C.

Learned of the reason for his defeat, King An Duong is said to have killed his daughter and then committed suicide. Nowadays, in Co Loa citadel, there exists many vestiges still reminding you of the episodes of the legend.

II. When Does Co Loa Festival Take Place?

Co Loa citadel festival is held on the 6th day of January, followed by lunar year. Previously, people spent 12 days, from 6th to 18th to celebrate the festival. But now, they shorten it into 2 days and the 6th day becomes the official festival. 

Despite being shortened, Co Loa festival still remains the most important festivals in this area, which attracts lots of people inside and outside the villages here. 

III. How is Co Loa Festival Organized?

1. Festival Schedule and Ceremonies

On the 5th day of the first lunar month, eight communes (Co Loa and seven allied communes) perform incense offering ceremonies at their communal houses. At Thuong Temple, village officials and mandarins conduct ceremonies to honor the King’s achievements.

The main festival begins on the 6th day, featuring processions of local notables to King An Duong Temple. A miniature royal court, complete with an incense burner, stone tablet, and funeral oration, is arranged before two altars.

2. The Literature Procession

The procession begins with a flag representing the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth), accompanied by musicians and ceremonial offerings. Two sedan chairs are carried through Co Loa Commune’s 12 hamlets:

• One carrying the King’s statue
• Another bearing his daughter’s beheaded statue, symbolizing her punishment

The procession continues to Trong Thuy Well and returns to the hamlets, marked by firecracker displays.

3. Main Ceremonial Events

A sacrificial ceremony, accompanied by traditional music, honors the King until noon. Following this, the largest procession of the festival involves all 12 villages carrying the deity from the temple to the communal house to observe the festivities. Upon reaching the main entrance, village palanquins return to their respective communities, while Co Loa’s procession performs additional rituals at the communal house.

4. Festival Activities

The celebration continues until the 16th day, featuring:

• Evening fireworks
• Traditional games: cock fighting, human chess, tug of war, card playing, wrestling, swing, rope climbing
• Martial arts demonstrations
• Flag dancing and archery
• Cultural performances: Ca Tru, Cheo and Tuong
• Traditional competitions: crossbow shooting, sacred ball throwing, bamboo swings, rice cooking contests
• Folk performances: Cheo, Quan Ho, and Ca Tru singing
• Closing Ceremonies

On the final day of the festival, a grand farewell ceremony will be held at the temple. After the rituals, the cult table of god will be returned to the sanctuary. Local people enjoy the god’s favor and expect a year of prosperity and protection from the god. The meaningful festival is always closed with a thanksgiving ceremony.

Many residents in Co Loa have said that “ One may leave kids after death but cannot forget the 6th of the first lunar month”.