On March 1, during the traditional festival at Mieu Voi Phuc Communal House and Lang Van Son in O Dien Commune, authorities held a ceremony to announce the official recognition of the Cheo Tau Festival of Tong Goi as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and to award heritage status certificates to Phan Long and Thuy Hoi communal houses.

The event holds special significance for the Party organization, authorities and people of O Dien Commune and the former Tong Goi region, marking the community's persistent efforts to preserve, transmit and promote traditional cultural values.

Tong Goi (also known as Coi Son) is an ancient land dating back to the early Common Era, once part of Chu Dien in Giao Chi District. After many administrative changes, it is now O Dien Commune.

Enriched by the alluvial deposits of the Red River and Nhue River, the area developed a prosperous population engaged in wet rice cultivation, weaving, blacksmithing and waterway trade.

Bui Thi Thu Hang, Vice Chairwoman of the O Dien Commune People's Committee, said that beyond its agricultural traditions, Tong Goi has long been known for scholarship, producing four doctoral laureates in the 15th and 16th centuries whose names are inscribed at the Temple of Literature.

The area also has a proud revolutionary tradition and served as a resting point for the Capital Regiment after 60 days and nights defending Hanoi at the start of the nationwide resistance war.

Throughout history, General Van Di Thanh, the local tutelary deity, has held a special place. According to legend, he was born in 1380 and died in 1416 fighting the Ming invaders during the Tran Trung Quang period.

Villages including Thuong Hoi, Thuy Hoi, Phan Long and Vinh Ky built temples and shrines in his honor and feudal dynasties conferred upon him the title of Supreme Deity with distinguished honorifics.

From the worship of the tutelary deity and folk singing traditions, the people of Tong Goi created Cheo Tau (also known as Tau Tuong singing), a distinctive folk performance art of the Red River Delta.

The Cheo Tau Festival was first held in 1683 from the 15th to the 21st day of the first lunar month. Traditionally, a grand festival was organized only every 20–25 years in times of prosperity. The last celebration under the monarchy took place in 1922.

Cheo Tau blends spiritual rituals with performance art, expressing gratitude to Van Di Thanh while reflecting community life and aspirations for prosperity and happiness. Its melodies, stories and ritual rules have been preserved across generations, becoming a treasured spiritual asset.

After 1954, historical conditions prevented the festival from being held for decades. In 1998, after a 76-year hiatus, it was revived.

Artisans worked with professional agencies to collect, record and teach the art form to younger generations, organizing dozens of classes that attracted more than 1,000 children. To date, five artisans have been awarded the title of Meritorious Artisan by the President.

Based on scientific documentation prepared by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, in 2025, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 1351/QD-BVHTTDL officially inscribing the Cheo Tau Festival of Tong Goi into the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The same year, the Hanoi People's Committee granted city-level historical relic status to Phan Long and Thuy Hoi communal houses.

At the ceremony, following the announcement by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Council Phung Thi Hong Ha presented a certificate recognizing the Cheo Tau Festival to O Dien's leaders.

Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, awarded heritage certificates to Phan Long and Thuy Hoi communal houses in a solemn and celebratory atmosphere.

Do Chi Hung, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of O Dien Commune, affirmed that the recognition is both an honor and a major responsibility for safeguarding the heritage.

In the coming period, the commune will coordinate with specialized agencies to expand training, restore festival spaces, preserve communal house and shrine architecture and create sustainable conditions for community practice.

The inscription of the Cheo Tau Festival and the recognition of local communal houses affirm the unique cultural values of this ancient Red River land and further enrich the thousand-year-old cultural identity of the capital.