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Co Loa Citadel is perhaps the most ancient citadel in Vietnam. It was built by Thuc An Duong Vuong in the 3 century BC to be the capital of Au Lac Kingdom (the name of Vietnam at the time). It was buiit according to a helical design and was surrounded by three ramparts and a deep moat.
The remains of the citadel are located on the same site where archaeologists have found tens of thousands of bronze arrowheads, iron axes, and animal bones. Close to the citadel are the remains of Co Loa Communal House, a temple devoted to the cult of Princess My Chau and An Duong Vuong, a King who loved his daughter with all his heart but, lacking vigilance, left Co Loa and lost both his family and his country.
Co Loa Citadel is located 18km north of the centre of Hanoi in Co Loa Village, Dong Anh District