Co Loa relic: Historical and cultural symbol of the Vietnamese people

Located about 20km north of Hanoi center, Co Loa relic site in Dong Anh district is one of the living proofs of history, culture and creative spirit of ancient Vietnamese people, associated with iconic legendary stories.

In the context of a society that is constantly renewing and developing, Co Loa relics increasingly demonstrate their important historical and cultural values, being an endless source of inspiration and national pride.

Co Loa is the first capital of the Au Lac state, associated with King An Duong Vuong and famous legendary stories, such as: The Golden Turtle Crossbow and the tragic love story of My Chau - Trong Thuy... Co Loa Citadel has a unique architecture with a unique spiral rampart system, including three earthen ramparts nearly 16km long. This is a testament to the superior intelligence of Ancient Vietnamese people in building defense systems against the threat of foreign invasion.

The main gate of King An Duong Vuong Temple, also known as the Upper Temple, still retains ancient architectural features.

Not only does it have historical value, Co Loa also contains many cultural and spiritual elements through typical constructions, such as: Thuong Temple (Temple of King An Duong Vuong), Ngoc Well associated with the legend of My Chau - Trong Thuy, and the communal house-am-pagoda cluster inside the inner citadel.

The inner citadel is the most important area, where the palace and works serving King An Duong Vuong are located. The central citadel and the outer citadel surround the outside, both protecting and creating living and production space for residents. Along with that is the sacred Upper Temple, built to commemorate and honor King An Duong Vuong. Every year, people from everywhere flock here to burn incense and pray, showing their respect to the king who founded the capital of Co Loa.

In front of the temple is the Ngoc well, which is associated with the legend of My Chau washing away the blood of betrayal with well water. It is not only an attractive tourist destination but also a symbol of purification, forgiveness and profound historical lessons.

Every year, on January 5 and 6, Co Loa festival is held to commemorate King An Duong Vuong, is an opportunity for people and tourists to participate in traditional rituals, such as: palanquin procession, crossbow shooting, con throwing, monkey bridge and many other folk games. Not only is it an opportunity to commemorate historical values, but it is also an opportunity to preserve and promote national cultural values. Folk games such as crossbow shooting and con throwing are not only entertaining but also reflect the fighting methods and ingenuity in the lives of ancient people.

Crossbow shooting experience area for students.

In addition to the architectural works, the area also has an exhibition house with more than 200 historical artifacts such as bronze drums and bronze arrows dating back about 3,500 years. These relics not only reflect the technical level but are also vivid evidence of the cultural development of the Vietnamese people over millennia.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tam, Vice Chairman of Dong Anh District People's Committee, said that the greatest value of Co Loa relics today lies not only in the tangible or intangible works but also in the ability to educate cultural and historical traditions for the younger generations. "Co Loa relics are the pride of Dong Anh people. We always strive to plan and preserve them, aiming to develop cultural tourism as a key economic sector," Ms. Nguyen Thi Tam emphasized.

Recognizing the value of the relic, the Dong Anh district government and the relic management board have implemented many conservation measures. Since 2018, experiential activities such as: Sightseeing, extracurricular learning and folk games have been organized regularly, helping students and visitors understand more about this heritage.

Ms. Chu Thi Luong, a member of the relic management board, shared: “Every year, the relic organizes 2-3 events, such as the exhibition Co Loa - Historical and Cultural Imprints, to promote and educate about the historical value of the relic.”

In early 2024, the Co Loa relic dossier was submitted to UNESCO for consideration of recognition as a World Cultural Heritage. This is an important milestone, affirming the international status of Co Loa, while creating an opportunity to preserve and promote the long-term value of this relic.

In addition, major projects such as the construction of a temple to King Ngo Quyen and a heritage park are also being implemented, aiming to turn Co Loa into a prestigious cultural and tourist center. The local government also cooperates with schools to organize traditional classes to help students better understand local history and the significance of heritage.

Every year, thousands of domestic and international visitors come to Co Loa, not only to admire the landscape but also to experience a part of the heritage that has created the identity of the Vietnamese people. With strong investment and conservation efforts, this relic increasingly affirms its position as a living historical and cultural museum, contributing to promoting sustainable tourism development and the local economy.

Co Loa is not only a testament to a heroic period of history but also a symbol of wisdom and indomitable spirit, reminding present and future generations of patriotism and caution in the face of modern challenges. With the joint efforts of the government and the people, the cultural value of the Co Loa relic is increasingly spreading.

Not only a place to preserve memories, Co Loa relic is gradually transforming into a center of cultural and historical education, actively contributing to the sustainable development of the local and national tourism industry. This is the bridge between the past and the future, affirming the spirit of preserving heritage to add motivation to the journey of building a strong, proud and unique Vietnam.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/di-tich-co-loa-bieu-tuong-lich-su-va-van-hoa-cua-dan-toc-viet-5031856.html