In Co Loa Commune, Dong Anh District, about 18 km from Hanoi, the Co Loa Citadel, or ancient walled city, continues to fascinate domestic and foreign visitors.

After leaving Hanoi, tourists quickly end up in beautiful, open countryside on both sides of the road. As our bus stopped at its destination, the citadel looked like any small traditional village – with temple, wide well, and banyan trees.

Co Loa is the most ancient citadel found in Vietnam . It was built by King An Duong Vuong between 214 and 208 BC as the capital of Au Lac, one of the earliest Vietnamese kingdoms.

The citadel was built in three concentric circles – an 8km exterior wall, a 6.5 km, polygon-shaped, inside wall; and a central, 1.6 km, rectangular wall.

Passing through the central gate, tourists access the pillared Co Loa Communal Hall where officials once held court. Next to it is Am Ba Chua, a small temple to worship My Chau, a princess who died tragically. Burning incense for the princess’s soul, tourists listening passionately to the old legend. Walking up a short distance, an upper temple is dedicated to King An Duong Vuong.

The temple, rebuilt in the 20 th century, has two rock dragons guarding a three-step entrance through a gate, relics of the Tran and Le dynasties that ruled from the 13 th to the 16 th centuries. Inside the temple, there is a statue of the king himself cast in bronze, a metal ancient Vietnamese craftsmen were skilled in using. In front of the temple there is a wide pond, referred to in local terms as the Pearl Well. Presumably fed from a subterranean spring, it contains fresh water for the whole year.

In 1962, Co Loa was recognised as a major cultural and historical relic at the State level. Many priceless artifacts have been unearthed in and around the old city, such as a bronze drum, bronze currency and a bronze axe.

Every year, there is a festival in the first lunar month. People from eight villages in the commune form a traditional palanquin procession to the old royal courtyard, where they show their respect and gratitude to the historic king.

It is a long procession, at a show space, and to the beat of ancient music provided by a band, followed by the chief notable and the eight village notables. Finally come the villagers, who carry various offerings to King An Duong Vuong.

The religious ceremony and the procession are held on the same day. However, the festival itself continues until the fifteenth of the same month with various traditional games and activities.

Looking forward to the 1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi in 2010, Co Loa is in the process of improving the site through the project Restoring, Improving and Developing the Effect of Co Loa Citadel, set up by the Hanoi People’s Committee.

According to the plan, Co Loa Citadel, An Duong Vuong memorial and other cultural buildings and relics will be the central attraction in a park on over 830ha of land. Other new works, such as parks, a flower garden and a lake will be also set up to revivify the scenery.

Source: VNA