On January 13, 2025 (the 14th day of the 12th lunar month, Year of the Dragon), the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Cổ Loa Commune, in collaboration with the Management Board of the Cổ Loa Relic Site, organized the ceremony of handover and reception of Quan Đám. Attending the ceremony were Mr. Nguyễn Văn Nhân - Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Cổ Loa Commune, Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Hương Anh – Vice Chairwoman of the Committee, Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã – Head of the General Planning Department of the Management Board of the Cổ Loa Relic Site, and the Quan Đám representatives of the 2024 and 2025 terms.
Earlier, on December 30, 2024, the Party Committee, People’s Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee of Cổ Loa Commune held a consultative meeting to nominate the new Quan Đám (Khất keo cụ từ). The meeting, based on traditional standards that the family must be harmonious, not in mourning, and free from social evils, selected Mr. Lê Đăng Xuyền from Thượng Hamlet to serve as Quan Đám at Thượng Temple, and Mr. Nguyễn Đăng Dũng from Mít Hamlet to continue his term as Quan Đám at Mỵ Châu Shrine.
According to tradition, on the 13th day of the 12th lunar month, the Quan Đám families prepare full offerings. On the 14th, the “nhập tịch” (inauguration) ceremony is held solemnly. Early in the morning, families and clans, neatly dressed, bring offerings to the village communal house for the initial ritual, then proceed to Thượng Temple for the official inauguration ceremony (nhận chức). Along the way, if passing by any other communal house, they must stop and make offerings. At the main altar of Thượng Temple, the Quan Đám recites the “Mục lục”, praising the virtues of the deities and praying for peace and prosperity for the villagers. Afterwards, ceremonies continue at Mỵ Châu Shrine and Ngự Triều Di Quy Communal House. For the Quan Đám of Mỵ Châu Shrine, after performing the ritual at Thượng Temple, he returns to the shrine to complete his own inauguration ceremony.

Quan Đám performing the “nhập tịch” (inauguration) ritual

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Nhân - Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Cổ Loa Commune expressed gratitude to the 2024 Quan Đám for successfully fulfilling their duties and contributing to the preservation of local customs, and handed over the position of Quan Đám for the 2025 term to the Management Board of the Cổ Loa Relic Site. On behalf of the Management Board, Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã – Head of the General Planning Department presented gifts to the outgoing Quan Đám and formally welcomed the new appointees for the 2025 term.

Handover and reception of Quan Đám

The ceremony of handover and reception of Quan Đám represents the continuity and preservation of long-standing cultural traditions, playing an important role in the conservation, protection, and promotion of heritage values at the ancient capital of Cổ Loa.