Location: This relic of an ancient urban area and military citadel is located in Co Loa Village, Dong Anh District, Hanoi. Characteristic: Throughout history, Co Loa was nominated twice as the capital of Vietnam: the first time during the An Duong Vuong era in the late 3rd and early 2nd century BC, and the second time during the Ngo Vuong Quyen reign in the middle of the 10th century.
This is perhaps the most ancient citadel in Vietnam, built by King An Duong Vuong between 214 and 208 BC to make it the capital of the Au Lac State (the name of Vietnam at that time). The citadel has the structure of an oyster shell with 3 turns: the exterior, the middle and the interior. Legends said that one night the white cocks badly damaged the citadel. The god of river knew the damage and mysteriously interfered by sending a holy tortoise to protect the citadel building. When the construction was completed, a magic bow was given to king An Duong Vuong to defeat the northern invaders from China.The Chinese King Trieu Da knew the story and planned to have his son, Prince Trong Thuy, marry Princess My Chau the daughter of King An Duong. Trong Thuy made use of the opportunity and stole this magic weapon. War happened shortly after that, the Vietnamese king lost. He, together with his daughter committed suicide. Commemorating the king and the princess with their good deeds, his people constructed a temple to worship them which still remains intact up to now. Visitors will also find the remains of the citadel and many vestiges here.The three ramparts archeological relics from the Bronze and Iron ages are 16km long. The complex of religious and commemorative relics includes Ngu Trieu Di Qui Communal House, My Chau Temple, and Bao Son Pagoda. Mystical relics such as Ngoc Well, Flag Tower, and Ngu Xa Castle make of this area a culturally and historically interesting area.
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