The large, spiral-shaped citadel in the suburbs of Hanoi capital is one of the attractive destinations with cultural and historical values. This is one of the ancient vestiges still preserved to this day.
Located in the area of 3 communes Co Loa, Duc Tu and Viet Hung of Dong Anh district, 17km north of Hanoi city center, Co Loa citadel is an attractive destination for tourists from all over the world. This work is a testament to the creativity and technical level of the Ancient Viet people. Discovering Co Loa citadel is a special journey that brings visitors to a special cultural and historical space where it is associated with ancient Vietnamese legends and the image of a peaceful northern village. 
Co Loa Citadel is a prominent cultural and historical destination in the suburbs of Hanoi. Photo: gramho.com
Co Loa Citadel and legends
Co Loa citadel covers an area of about 500ha and was officially built under King An Duong Vuong in the third century BC. This is the place where King An Duong Vuong chose to build the ancient capital of Au Lac and was presented by the god Kim Quy to build solid fortresses. Co Loa citadel is also a place associated with the story of Kim Quy’s crossbow and shot down hundreds of enemies or legends of the beautiful but tragic love of Mị Châu of Trọng Thủy. Over time, the legend of the Co Loa citadel has been ingrained in the subconscious of the Vietnamese for generations.
This place is associated with mysterious legends about the early Au Lac period. Photo: donganh.hanoi.vn
Legend has it that Co Loa citadel had 9 spiral rings, so the ancient Vietnamese also called this place Oc. During the construction of the citadel, where the embankment was built there, all the rings were surrounded by moats. There are five fountains bringing water to the central citadel and Inner citadel, forming a closed loop, very convenient for infantry and marines to set up bases. With a height of up to 12 meters and a sincerity of up to 30 meters wide, the scale of Co Loa citadel was extremely solid in the Au Lac period because weapons at that time were only archery, swords, and spears. Not only the capital of Au Lac but also the Ngo Quyen dynasty in the tenth century, Co Loa citadel continued to be the capital of Viet Co.
The architecture and scale of Co Loa Thanh are very special. Photo: @ popăn.vietnam
Visit Co Loa Thanh to explore attractive destinations
Visiting Co Loa Dong Anh citadel , Hanoi , visitors will enter a fascinating journey of discovery with impressive cultural and historical colors. Visitors will feel the unique beauty of the landscape, nature, the image of Vietnamese countryside with moats, mounds and admire the impressive historical sites.
Citadel of Co Loa has many unique destinations. Photo: @goitoila_datog
An Duong Vuong Temple
This place is also known as Thuong temple located on a hill. An Duong Vuong Temple with typical architecture of soaring tile roof. The temple door has a pair of stone dragons carved vividly. An Duong Vuong Temple has many entrance doors, when it is the shrine to worship the king, inside there is a shrine for the queen and mother. Behind it is a lush green tree with a small beer house with curved arches hidden under the canopy of banyan trees.
An Duong Vuong Temple with a spacious campus. Photo: @ jiaxing136
Crescent Lake – Ngoc Well
Located in front of An Duong Vuong Temple is a semicircular lake, in the middle of the lake is the Ngoc well, according to legend this is the place where Trong Thuy and My Chau often meet. It was also the place where the love of injury ended when Trong Thuy jumped into the well and committed suicide because he missed the figure of Mỵ Châu. Legend has it that the water of the Ngoc well, when washing pearls, is extremely shiny. Today, when coming to Co Loa, visitors can see the pearl well from afar, which stands out among the green color of the semicircle lake.
Ngoc Well is located in the middle of Crescent Lake. Photo: Zing
Am Mi Chau
Am Mi Chau is one of the most prominent attractions in Co Loa citadel . This is a small house under a banyan tree with a somber appearance reminiscent of Mizhou with a love story. In the temple, there is a statue of Princess My Chau, a natural stone without a head, wearing brocade, and a flower scarf evokes sympathy in the heart of visitors. According to legend, when My Chau turned into a big rock and drifted to Duong Cam beach in the east of Co Loa Thanh, people brought a stretcher to the base of the banyan, then broke, the stone fell, so the shrine was established.
Stone statue My Chau lost her head in the am. Photo: Zing
Visitors coming here often think that touching the stone statue of My Chau can bring luck and health. From My Chau am, visitors going deep inside will find Bao Son Pagoda, which has a pure space and a lot of Buddha statues with many unique poses and expressions.
Archaeological artifacts display area
This area is the display of artifacts excavated at Co Loa citadel . Magic crossbows, ancient maps and other artifacts are displayed solemnly to help visitors better understand the history and civilization of Au Lac worship in this place.
The exhibition area is very attractive to visitors. Photo: @blissbio_offical
Experience of checking-in into Co Loa, devotees should know
In order to admire Co Loa citadel with the most perfect beauty as well as being able to participate in special activities held here, the time to check-in is something you should pay attention to. The perfect time to come to Co Loa is spring, when the festive atmosphere is overflowing and the scenery here is also the most beautiful. Especially, if you can, go to Co Loa on 4,5,6 of the first lunar month to participate in Co Loa festival with many special activities. In addition, at Co Loa citadel on the 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 26th of the lunar month, there will be an activity “Xa Fair” where people gather and sell unique items. .
Should come to Co Loa in spring to admire the most beautiful scenery. Photo: wecheckinvn
The festival in Co Loa takes place in January. Photo: Vnexpress
From the center of Hanoi, if you want to come to Co Loa citadel, you can travel by yourself by motorbike, car or bus. If you take the bus, choose bus number 46 from My Dinh to Dong Anh with the price of 8,000 VND / way. In addition, trips No. 15, 17, 43, 59, 65 also stop at Co Loa intersection, get off the bus, you can walk or take a motorbike taxi to Co Loa tourist area with a distance of 1km.
You can go to Co Loa by bus, motorbike or car. Photo: @ vickyhuong1102
Come to Co Loa Outside to visit, learn about culture and history, do not forget to experience the cuisine. Co Loa has the famous specialty vermicelli Mach Trang or the divine salted oyster porridge. In addition, the snail shops or the snacks around Co Loa are also very busy enough for you to do a full food tour after exploring the ancient citadel.
Bun Mach Trang is famous in Co Loa citadel. Photo: Channel 14
Citadel of Co Loa is a cultural heritage proof of the creativity of the ancient Vietnamese and also an important spiritual destination in the life and activities of local people. If you have the opportunity, come to Co Loa to immerse yourself in the historical sounds and feel more about the unique beauty of this famous ancient citadel.
Photo: Internet