Main image

ZiYouXunLu CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Co Loa Citadel

Monument

An ancient earthen citadel northeast of Hanoi, Co Loa showcases concentric ramparts and temples tied to early Vietnamese state formation; visitors come for archaeology, local legends and short walks through village remains.

Co Loa Citadel Ba Dinh Cau Giay &Ethnology Museum French Quarter Hoan Kiem &Old Quarter Temple ofLiterature & Dong Da West Lake Tourist areas, not official boundaries. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsVan Mieu, Temple of LiteratureHo Chi Minh MausoleumHỏa Lò PrisonHanoi Opera HouseTurtle TowerVietnam Museum of EthnologyCo Loa Citadel
In this guide

Co Loa Citadel essentials

Address: Co Loa, Đông Anh District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hours: Daily 8:00am-5:00pm (local variations possible)
Admission: Small entrance fee to the site and park (varies; check local signage)
GoogleAppleOSM

About Co Loa Citadel

Cổ Loa Citadel is an ancient fortified complex in the Red River Delta region and was the capital of the early Vietnamese polity Âu Lạc under An Dương Vương in the 3rd century BC. The site is characterised by concentric earthen ramparts and moats that mark the plan of the former citadel.

The principal attractions are the surviving earthwork rings, stretches of embankment and the temple complex on the citadel’s inner ring. Visitors also see ritual shrines connected to foundation legends and a small museum displaying archaeological finds and explanatory panels.

According to Vietnamese tradition and historical sources, the citadel was established as a planned capital by An Dương Vương in the late 4th to 3rd centuries BC and was the political centre of Âu Lạc. The site has been modified, repaired and partially rebuilt many times over the centuries; archaeological work has focused on clarifying the plan and dating the surviving earthworks.

Cổ Loa sits on the plain north of Hanoi in Đông Anh District, roughly 15 kilometres from Hanoi’s city centre. The surrounding landscape is low-lying delta and agricultural land, and the citadel is accessible by road from Hanoi.

  • Proximity to Hanoi: Located about 15 kilometres north of central Hanoi, making it a common half-day trip from the capital.
  • Visitor tip: Best views of the concentric earthworks are from the higher surviving ramparts; bring walking shoes as the site is uneven.

What to See#

  • Ramparts: A system of concentric earthen ramparts and moats that form the principal archaeological remains; several of the outer and inner embankments survive as raised earthworks and terraces.
  • Đền Thượng (Upper Temple): Đền Thượng (Upper Temple) and associated shrine complex located near the core of the citadel, visited for its historical and ritual associations.
  • Site museum: On-site archaeological displays and a small museum that show recovered artifacts and explain the site’s layout and excavations.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Co Loa Citadel

Spring and autumn tend to give the most comfortable weather and clearer skies for exploring the site.

Spring
March-May · 18-28°C
Warm, with blooming rice fields nearby; festivals sometimes occur in spring.
Autumn
September-November · 20-28°C
Clearer skies and comfortable temperatures for walking the ramparts.

Weather & Climate near Co Loa Citadel

Climate

Co Loa Citadel's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 13°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1635 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 105 Unhealthy (Sg)
Best Time to Visit
NovemberDecemberMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
2°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 13° - 19° 16° 17 mm overcast 81% 1.5 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.9h
February Good 15° - 20° 18° 31 mm overcast 80% 1.4 m/s 1.0 high 11.3h
March Very Good 17° - 22° 20° 39 mm overcast 80% 1.5 m/s 1.0 high 11.9h
April Very Good 21° - 26° 24° 92 mm overcast 78% 1.6 m/s 1.4 high 12.5h
May Good 24° - 31° 30° 198 mm overcast 80% 1.5 m/s 1.8 very high 13.0h
June Acceptable 25° - 32° 35° 246 mm overcast 84% 1.5 m/s 2.0 very high 13.3h
July Acceptable 26° - 32° 36° 288 mm overcast 85% 1.3 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.2h
August Acceptable 25° - 32° 35° 306 mm overcast 86% 1.1 m/s 2.0 very high 12.7h
September Acceptable 24° - 31° 32° 230 mm overcast 85% 1.1 m/s 1.7 very high 12.2h
October Very Good 21° - 29° 25° 122 mm partly cloudy 84% 1.4 m/s 1.3 high 11.5h
November Excellent 18° - 25° 22° 47 mm partly cloudy 82% 1.3 m/s 1.1 high 11.0h
December Very Good 14° - 22° 18° 19 mm overcast 80% 1.2 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Co Loa Citadel

Co Loa is in Đông Anh District, north of central Hanoi (approximately 20-25 km depending on routing). Reach it by taxi or motorbike from Hanoi’s centre; local buses serve Đông Anh but transfers may be required for the final stretch.

Tips for Visiting Co Loa Citadel

  • Hire a local guide in Đông Anh or the site's visitor centre to hear the legend of An Dương Vương and the golden turtle - local storytelling enriches the ruins.
  • Wear sun protection and bring cash; facilities are limited and the site can be hot and exposed.