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The Co Loa Temple Festival is one of Vietnam's oldest and most significant traditional festivals. This event is not only an occasion to honor the legacy of the king but also a chance for the community to preserve and promote traditional cultural values. Join BDATrip in exploring this captivating festival!
The Co Loa Temple, also known as Co Loa Citadel, is one of Hanoi's most famous historical sites. Built during the reign of King An Dương Vương, it is associated with many legendary and heroic stories from a glorious period in Vietnamese history. Co Loa Temple holds invaluable historical significance from the time of King An Dương Vương.
According to legend, the 6th day of the Lunar New Year is the day King An Dương Vương ascended the throne, and three days later, on the 9th day, he held a grand ceremony to reward his troops. Since then, the people have celebrated the Co Loa Temple Festival to commemorate this event, and the festival continues to this day.
Co Loa Temple not only stands as a historical monument but also tells a tragic tale of vigilance lost at a crucial moment. The princess, due to her blind trust in her husband, allowed the country to fall into enemy hands, leaving a bitter lesson on vigilance. Nevertheless, over time, Co Loa Temple remains a source of national pride.
The Co Loa Temple Festival carries profound educational significance, reminding people of the tradition of "drinking water, remembering its source" and preserving invaluable cultural heritage. This is a major festival you shouldn't miss when exploring Hanoi.
Every year, after the traditional Lunar New Year, on the 6th day of the first lunar month, the residents of the eight villages of Bát Xã (Đài Bi, Sàn Dã, Cầu Cả, Mạch Tràng, Văn Thượng, Thư Cưu, Cổ Loa, Xép) prepare offerings to organize the Co Loa Temple Festival. The festival lasts from the early morning of the 6th day of Tet to the 18th day of the first lunar month, creating a colorful and traditional festive atmosphere.
Co Loa Temple is located in Dong Anh District, Hanoi, about 17 km northwest of the city center, making it easily accessible for visitors. During the festival season, it attracts thousands of tourists who come not only to worship and pray but also to immerse themselves in the traditional cultural beauty of the nation.
The Co Loa Temple Festival begins early in the morning on the 6th day of the first lunar month, but preparations start as early as the 14th day of the previous lunar month. Local residents clean and refurbish the temple to ensure everything is in order. Those chosen to carry the palanquin are selected carefully and must follow a fasting regime beforehand. The participants also maintain purity, covering their mouths with red cloth while dressing the deity.
On the morning of the 6th day, a procession in formal attire, carrying flags, fans, and ceremonial parasols, led by the chief officiant in blue robes and a ceremonial hat, proceeds to the house of the ceremonial speaker to fetch the ceremonial text to the temple. The procession is solemn and grand. The streets are filled with flags and people carrying palanquins, creating a vibrant spring scene with a dazzling red hue. When the processions from the eight villages of Bát Xã reach the entrance of Co Loa village, they are welcomed and escorted into the Upper Temple.
Outside the temple, two wooden horses, one red and one white, stand on either side, and the entrance is adorned with flags and ritual weapons. Before the altar, weapons like bows, arrows, swords, and crossbows are displayed, and a mat is spread for offerings to the deity. The ceremony is conducted amid the solemn music of the eight-tone ensemble. After the ceremony ends, people are allowed to enter and pay their respects.
The procession of deities in the Co Loa Temple Festival begins with a parade of flags, followed by the ceremonial sedan chair and sacred offerings. Next, the eight-tone ensemble creates a solemn atmosphere with their music. The officials in ceremonial robes, carrying the king's weapons, follow. Next are the dignitaries and local strongmen, carefully carrying the palanquin with the king's tablet. Each village's palanquin advances slowly and carefully in the vibrant and lively atmosphere of music.
The procession starts from the Upper Temple, circles the Ngoc Well, and follows the path along the Inner Citadel to the Ngu Trieu Pavilion. After each palanquin, four strongmen carry large flags, dancing along the way, creating a majestic and lively scene. When they reach the intersection at the entrance of Co Loa village, the palanquins return to their respective villages, except for the Co Loa village palanquin, which returns to the Ngu Trieu Pavilion for further ceremonies.
When the main ceremony ends, people participate in the festival, where the atmosphere becomes lively and joyful. The procession of deities is an indispensable part of the Co Loa Temple Festival, contributing to its traditional and solemn beauty.
The Co Loa Temple Festival is not only known for its solemn rituals but also attracts visitors with its unique artistic activities. The most notable are the water puppet shows and Quan Ho singing at Ngoc Well, where villagers perform together. The singers are divided into male and female groups, singing antiphonal songs on dragon boats. The special feature is that the Quan Ho singers perform without musical accompaniment, creating a close, natural, and friendly atmosphere.
Additionally, visitors can watch a traditional play about the story of My Chau and Trong Thuy. Although familiar to Vietnamese people, this play is performed as a reminder of vigilance, to avoid repeating the tragic and regrettable fate of My Chau.
The procession during the festival moves from the Upper Temple, circles the Ngoc Well, and follows the path along the Inner Citadel to the Ngu Trieu Pavilion. After each palanquin, four strongmen carry large flags, dancing along the way, creating a majestic and colorful scene. When they reach the intersection at the entrance of Co Loa village, the palanquins return to their respective villages, except for the Co Loa village palanquin, which returns to the Ngu Trieu Pavilion for further ceremonies.
When the main ceremony ends, the festival atmosphere becomes lively with various entertainment activities and artistic performances. This is an opportunity for locals and visitors to immerse themselves in traditional cultural beauty, experiencing and preserving the nation's cultural values.
In the festive part of the Co Loa Temple Festival, the space is filled with traditional folk games, bringing visitors a sense of returning to the old atmosphere and ancient stories. For the villagers, this festival not only brings joy but also marks the beginning of an exciting new year.
Many games are organized, but the most prominent and widely participated ones are human chess, wrestling, and crossbow shooting. Human chess not only provides entertainment but also requires intelligence, showcasing the beauty of the national identity. Participants include 16 men and 16 women, divided into two teams competing in a lively atmosphere, with continuous drum beats and waving flags.
Wrestling also attracts great interest from visitors. This game has maintained its traditional charm through various periods and is always an indispensable part of the festival. From ancient times, when people primarily worked in agriculture, wrestling became a sport to train strength and courage to protect the village. Wrestlers take to the stage amid cheers and drumbeats. They strip to the waist, wear loincloths, and after a display of skillful moves, engage in spectacular grappling matches to win.
Among the games, crossbow shooting is always a highlight. Associated with the legend of Co Loa Citadel, the crossbow is a weapon everyone wants to try to conquer the "magic crossbow." Despite its small and simple design, hitting the target is challenging, requiring practice and high skill. Conquering the magic crossbow becomes an attractive challenge for everyone.
During the days of the Co Loa Temple Festival, the scene becomes bustling with the gathering of local residents and visitors from afar, creating a vibrant and meaningful springtime picture. Have you planned your spring trip this year?
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