The ancient Co Loa Relic Site, regarded by many international experts as the largest-in-scale and oldest capital city in Asia, will be nominated to join the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The scientific workshop on identifying the Outstanding Universal Value of the Co Loa Citadel Complex in Hanoi on August 12.

The Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre, in collaboration with the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences, recently organised a seminar to identify and clarify the scientific arguments regarding the outstanding universal values of the site.

It was a step closer to finalising the dossier to be submitted to UNESCO for consideration for inclusion on the Tentative List for World Heritage nomination.

Special relic

Co Loa played an important role in the history of national founding and defence.

Not only was it the capital of the Au Lac State under King An Duong Vuong (circa the 3rd century BC) and during the era of Ngo Quyen (10th century), but Co Loa also served as a political, military and cultural centre linked to various stages of the nation's historical development.

The citadel was a system of large-scale fortifications, unique construction techniques and interconnected network of moats. It was also home to preserved spaces for habitation, spiritual practice and community life that have endured for over two millennia.

These elements make Co Loa stand as a distinctive heritage site reflecting the formation of the early state and the Hong (Red) River civilisation in Vietnam.

These values are not only significant to the nation's history but also serve as a vital foundation for ongoing research and comparative studies with similar heritage sites across the region and the world.

At the seminar, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Thu Ha said research, preservation and promotion of the values of the Co Loa Relic Site were not only requirements of heritage conservation but also tasks closely linked to the city’s development strategy in the new era.

According to Nguyen Thanh Quang, Director of the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre, scholars' records and researches in the past century showed that Co Loa was not merely a military stronghold, a capital city, and an ancient settlement, but rather a large-scale organised space of power, defined by the close interrelationship between fortifications, the water system, human habitation, production activities and the natural environment. 

Outstanding universal values

Co Loa relic complex encompasses archaeological sites, fortifications and historical and architectural monuments within Dong Anh commune, with a designated conservation area of approximately 860ha.

The area features traditional village spaces, along with numerous festivals and customs that the community has continuously maintained to this day.

According to Associate Professor Dr Vu Van Quan from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Co Loa's outstanding universal values were demonstrated by its system of ramparts, ancient water network and series of archaeological sites of multiple periods associated with habitation and metallurgy, alongside the continuous existence of traditional village spaces and community culture.

The site meets the criteria of the World Heritage Convention as a potential cultural heritage site possessing Outstanding Universal Value.

Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc added that Co Loa was a prime embodiment of the exceptional development achieved by the Au Lac State under King An Duong Vuong, particularly regarding creative ingenuity, advancements in construction techniques and state-of-the-art military strategy.

Dr Nguyen Van Son, Chairman of the Hanoi Historical Association, revealed that during his cooperation with many foreign experts and scholars from prestigious American institutions, Co Loa received very high praise.

“They said Co Loa was a citadel of immense scale and ancient history, arguably unrivaled in Asia. According to them, this site is fully deserving of World Heritage status, provided a comprehensive dossier is prepared for UNESCO’s consideration," Son said.

Ancient woodblocks, living heritage: Preserving a national treasure in Hai Phong

The pagoda preserves 896 woodblocks, including 26 sets of Buddhist texts and several unidentified pieces.

Ancient inscriptions collection set for heritage recognition

The inscription collection, which is believed to be from the fifth century to 13th century, were carved on sandstone and terracotta stele, cantilevers and architectural structure beams and girders, or were engraved texts on pedestals.

Preserving the soul of Kinh Bac’s countryside

BAC NINH - Every village has its own stories about the formation of the land, the origins of its name, local customs, festivals, traditional crafts, and community values that have been nurtured and passed down from one generation to the next. In the context of administrative restructuring, preserving these values is not only a responsibility to the past but also a way of safeguarding cultural identity for the future.

Traditional mud ball wrestling festival opens in Van Village

BAC NINH - Authorities in Van Ha Ward of Bac Ninh province have opened the 2026 Van Village mud ball wrestling festival at Van Temple in Yen Vien residential quarter, celebrating a unique folk tradition recognized as Vietnam’s national intangible cultural heritage.

Distinctive An Chau racing festival honours national intangible cultural heritage

BAC NINH- The 2026 An Chau boat racing festival was kicked off on May 26 in Son Dong commune, aimed to honour the distinctive national intangible cultural heritage of this mountainous land.