CO LOA CITADEL

Co Loa Citadel (Co Loa Thanh; admission 2000d per person, 5000d per car; open 8am-5pm daily), the first fortified citadel ever recorded in Vietnamese history, dates from the 3^rd century BC and became the national capital during the reign of Ngo Quyen (AD 934-44). Only vestiges of the massive ancient ramparts, which enclosed and area of about 5sp km, remain. In the centre of the citadel are temples dedicated to the rule of King An Duong Vuong (257-208 BC), who founded the legendary Thuc dynasty, and his daughter My Nuong ( Mi Chau). When My Nuong showed her father’s magic crossbow trigger (which made the Vietnamese king invincible in battle) other husband (who was the son of a Chinese general), he stole it and gave it to his father. With its help, the Chinese were then able to defeat An Duong Vuong and his forces, thus depriving Vietnam of its independence.

Co Loa Citadel is 16km north of central Hanoi in Duong Anh district, and can be visited as a short detour while on the way to or from Tam Dao.