In her opening speech, Nguyen Thi Tam, a Standing Committee member of the Dong Anh District Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Anh District People's Committee, stated that the Co Loa Festival takes place in an atmosphere of nationwide celebration, marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam. It highlights the breakthroughs achieved by the Party Committee, government, and people of Dong Anh District in the fields of economy, culture, society, national defense, and security in 2024.
Delegates at the event.
The festival features various cultural and sporting activities showcasing the region's rich traditional heritage, including the Loa Thanh Cup traditional volleyball tournament, traditional wrestling, crossbow shooting, human chess, aerial swings, classical Tuong opera performances, traditional Cheo singing, Dao Thuc water puppetry, and Quan Ho folk singing on dragon boats.
"This is an occasion to encourage and motivate people from all walks of life to actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, promote education, labor, and production, and maintain political stability and social order. At the same time, it enhances the promotion of cultural and tourism potential, historical and cultural relics, and traditional festivals, attracting more visitors to Co Loa and Dong Anh.
Moreover, it allows every resident of Dong Anh and every visitor to enter the new year with a fresh mindset, a renewed commitment to creativity, and an active engagement in festival activities. By doing so, we can collectively contribute to building a creative space, developing the cultural industry, and transforming Dong Anh into a modern, civilized, and happy city on the northern banks of the Red River," emphasized Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Tam.
Traditional sports at the event.
Immediately after the opening ceremony, the Co Loa Special National Relic Site hosted various cultural and sports activities and traditional folk games as part of the Co Loa Festival for the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake 2025. These included Loa Thanh crossbow shooting, traditional volleyball, traditional wrestling, human chess, Dao Thuc water puppetry, Quan Ho folk singing on dragon boats, and community cultural performances.
According to To Anh Duy, Chairman of the People's Committee of Co Loa Commune, on the first day of the festival's cultural and sports activities, a large number of residents and visitors gathered at the event. Traffic was well-managed, ensuring no congestion, and all festival activities were conducted in a solemn and civilized manner without any incidents of price gouging.
He also stated that on the morning of February 3, the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Dong Anh District would officially launch the Co Loa Festival for the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake 2025 to honor King An Duong Vuong, the founder of the Au Lac State, whose capital was established in Co Loa, now part of Co Loa Commune, Dong Anh District, Hanoi.
As part of the festival, delegates, local communities from the Eight Communes of Loa Thanh, and visitors from across the country will participate in the ritual of offering tributes at the temple of King An Duong Vuong, as well as in ceremonial rites and the grand procession of the Eight Communes of Loa Thanh.