Co Loa Citadel
An ancient fortified city about 17 kilometres north of central Hanoi, possibly the first political centre of Vietnamese civilisation. Its concentric earthen walls coil like a snail's shell, and Bronze Age relics of the Dong Son culture have been found here.
- Where
- Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Grade
- Local gem
- Worth
- 10 points collected on site
- Coordinates
- 21.1134, 105.8732
Get the Co Loa Citadel stamp
Open LOQAH when you are at Co Loa Citadel. It checks where you are once, at that moment, and the stamp is yours: confirmed on site in gold and struck with the date. It goes into your Hanoi volume with your photos and a note.
Near Co Loa Citadel
Long Bien Bridge 7.9 km
A long steel cantilever bridge across the Red River, built by the French and first named after Paul Doumer, Governor-General of Indochina. Trains, motorbikes and people on foot still share its narrow deck, with wide views over the river and its sandbanks.
Tran Quoc Pagoda 8.2 km
The oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, on a small island off the southeastern shore of West Lake, joined to the road by a short causeway. Its tall red tiered stupa is one of the city's favourite sights at sunset.
West Lake 8.5 km
Hanoi's largest lake, 500 hectares of water with a 17 kilometre shore northwest of the centre. Its banks are lined with gardens, cafes, temples and villas, and Thanh Nien road splits off the smaller Truc Bach Lake.
Quan Thanh Temple 8.7 km
A Taoist temple near West Lake dating to the 11th century, one of the Four Sacred Temples of the old capital. It is dedicated to Tran Vu, the Taoist deity Xuan Wu, whose large bronze statue sits in the main hall.
Dong Xuan Market 8.7 km
Hanoi's largest covered market, first built by the French in 1889 on the edge of the Old Quarter. Wholesale traders fill its floors with everything from clothes and fabric to household goods and dried foods, and food stalls crowd the lanes outside.
Do Temple 9.1 km
A temple first built in 1028 on the death of Ly Thai To, founder of the Ly dynasty, and later enlarged to honour eight Ly emperors in all. It is still a place of ancestor worship for them, beside the old Dinh Bang communal house.
Presidential Palace 9.2 km
An ochre yellow colonial mansion built for the French Governor-General of Indochina, and today the official residence and office of Vietnam's president. Ho Chi Minh chose not to live inside, keeping to a modest stilt house in the grounds instead.
Ba Dinh Square 9.4 km
The broad square in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the Proclamation of Independence was read on 2 September 1945. It takes its name from the Ba Dinh uprising against the French in 1886 and 1887, and draws pilgrims and tourists in equal measure.
More hidden gems in Hanoi
Questions
Where is Co Loa Citadel?
Co Loa Citadel is in Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam. The nearest other LOQAH stamps are Long Bien Bridge (7.9 km), Tran Quoc Pagoda (8.2 km), West Lake (8.5 km).
How do I get the Co Loa Citadel stamp?
Open LOQAH when you are at Co Loa Citadel and get its stamp. The app checks where you are once, at that moment, and the stamp goes into your Hanoi volume, confirmed on site, with the date.
I have been to Co Loa Citadel before. Can I still have the stamp?
Yes. Add it from Earlier trips in your Hanoi volume, with the date if you know it, or import your Google Timeline and LOQAH matches the places you were.
Collect your first stamp.
LOQAH is free on iPhone and Android, in India and 20 more countries, with more countries on the way. Stand at a place, collect its stamp, and keep every trip in a passport that grows.