The Cầu Cả Village Festival in Đông Anh is one of the distinctive traditional festivals of the Red River Delta. Held annually on the 11th day of the first lunar month in Cầu Cả Hamlet, Cổ Loa Commune, the festival is an occasion for the local community to express their reverence for King An Dương Vương-the founder of the ancient Âu Lạc Kingdom in the 3rd century BCE-and to strengthen communal bonds among villagers.
Cầu Cả is one of the 15 hamlets of Cổ Loa Commune. The entire settlement lies outside the three concentric ramparts of the Cổ Loa Citadel, toward the west–northwest, with the following boundaries:
East: rice fields outside the Outer Rampart
West: Hoàng Giang River
South: Mạch Tràng Village
North: Sằn Giã Village and the Cổ Loa Film Studio
In earlier times, Cầu Cả was also known as Cầu Kỳ. According to legend, it was one of eight outposts guarding the outer perimeter of the Cổ Loa Citadel, commanded by General Lý Tâm Viễn. Local tradition explains that the village is called Cầu Cả (“the Great Bridge”) because it once stood next to the former Hoàng Giang River, where an ancient bridge-the Fifth Month Bridge (Ngũ Nguyệt Kiều)-crossed the waterway. Several old place names remain associated with the village, such as Cổng Xứ, Cửa Làng, Ao Dơ (also called Bãi Đài), Đầu Chùa, Đội Lộc, Đồng Chài, Ao Lò Vôi Quan, Tờ Chỉ, Ngũ Nguyệt Kiều, Vườn Áng, and Vườn Lạc.

The altar dedicated to the King and court officials at Cầu Cả Communal House

For the people of Cổ Loa, there is a saying:
“When alive, never miss the sixth day of the first lunar month-even if in death one leaves behind children and grandchildren.” According to long-standing custom, the 6th day of the first lunar month commemorates the enthronement of King An Dương Vương. On this day, the Eight Villages (Bát Xã) gather to perform rituals and offerings at the Upper Temple (Đền Thượng). The procession of Cầu Cả Village, together with Mạch Tràng and Văn Thượng, traditionally assembled at Ba Chạ Shrine (a site that no longer exists today) before proceeding to Cổ Loa Temple. During the Cổ Loa Festival, Cầu Cả Village holds the ceremonial duty of “phủng chúc” (offering wine in ceremonial cups). After the Cổ Loa Festival, the other villages of the Eight-Village Confederation continue their individual celebrations from the 6th until the 16th day of the first lunar month. Meanwhile, the Cầu Cả Village Festival is held annually on the 11th day of the first lunar month at the communal house.

Village elders performing ritual offerings

The festival features major activities including incense offerings, prayers for good fortune, and various folk games such as tug-of-war, shuttlecock volleyball, cockfighting, quan họ folk singing, and community cultural performances. It is also a time for villagers and visitors to enjoy local traditional foods such as stir-fried noodles with celery (bún xào cần), Cầu Cả puffed rice cakes (bỏng Chủ), and mung-bean rice crackers (bánh đa kê).

Quan họ folk singing during the festival

The Cầu Cả Village Festival is not only a cultural event but also an essential part of preserving and promoting the long-standing heritage and communal identity of the local people.