Traditional festival of Vo Lao village

According to the elders, the festival has existed for more than 100 years; a major festival is held once every three years; previously it was held every year; from 2001 to now, according to the cultural village convention, the festival is held once every three years. The Van La village festival takes place over two days: the 11th and 12th of the third lunar month.

This festival is to worship the four village tutelary gods who rendered service in the Hung Kings era together with Phu Dong Thien Vuong, fought the Yin invaders and defended Van Lang; these founding gods established Vo Lao village and were revered by the people as the village tutelary gods.

The festival takes place at Thuong Communal House and Ha Communal House and sacrifices are offered at the sacrificial altar.

Elders of both sexes in the Ceremonial Board (elderly people in the village) participate in the sacrifices. The festive part is organized by departments, organizations, and mass organizations in the village together with the local people.

In the ritual part, the senior elders (the elderly men) perform the sacrificial rites.

The village festival is held to commemorate four lac generals from the Hung Kings era who, together with Phu Dong Thien Vuong, fought the Yin invaders and defended the country of Van Lang; they were meritorious officials who founded Vo Lao village. The figures worshipped are: Cao Tuc Trach, Cao Do Vuong, Cua So, Do Ngang.

In the sacrificial board and the festival logistics service board, people in mourning are prohibited from participating.

On the morning of the 11th, preparations for festival services include: the bathing ritual, preparation of offerings including: flowers and fruits, betel and areca, steamed glutinous rice cakes...

On the afternoon of the 11th, the festival opening sacrifice includes: the sacrificial board, musical instruments, and ritual service.

The sacrificial board includes the chief celebrant, assistant celebrants, east chanter, west chanter, ritual assistants, and the reader of prayers.

On the morning of the 12th, a palanquin procession takes place; in addition to the saint's palanquin, an offerings palanquin is also carried, bearing vegetarian or savory offerings.

The palanquin procession goes from Thuong Communal House to Ha Communal House and is offered at the sacrificial altar.

On the afternoon of the 12th, after the palanquin procession returns, a thanksgiving sacrifice is held.

The procession of the royal edict or the procession of the saint's palanquin and dragon throne includes the following rituals:

- Opening ceremony (a presentation ritual at the communal houses where the festival is held).

- Procession of the offerings palanquin (vegetarian or savory offerings).

- Assembly ritual (savory offerings) for the incense-offering ceremony.

- Night watch sacrifice (from 22:00 to 24:00), with sacrificial shifts on duty.

- Community sacrifice to pray for blessings for the villagers.

- Thanksgiving ceremony: at the communal houses where the festival takes place.

Ritual objects: incense bowl, dragon throne, ancestral tablet, offering trays...

Offerings: vegetarian offerings include incense, flowers, and fruit; savory offerings include: pig's head, glutinous rice...

Procession objects: octagonal palanquin, four-person palanquin, eight precious objects...

Musical instruments: drum, gong, small gongs, eight-tone instruments...

Costumes: traditional costumes.

Festival games such as: cockfighting, wrestling, swinging; sports games: football, volleyball.