The Center for Preservation of Co Loa Relics – Thang Long Ancient Citadel has asked permission from the Hanoi authorities and related ministries to compile the file of Co Loa relic to submit to the UNESCO for recognition as a world cultural heritage.


The center’s director Nguyen Van Son said that if the proposal is approved, the center will compile the file immediately. The UNESCO will make a decision 18 months after it receives the file.



Son said many domestic and foreign experts highly appreciate the cultural and historical values of the Co Loa Relic so it is highly possible for the relic to be recognized as a world cultural heritage.



Co Loa Citadel is a citadel built about 20km to the north of Hanoi, during the end of the Hong Bang Dynasty (about 257 BCE). The fortress is a spiral-shaped complex of the then new capital. The site has been the source of various relics of the Dong Son culture of the Bronze Age.



According to folklore, An Duong Vuong defeated the last of the Hung kings in 257 BCE and founded the kingdom of Au Lạc, choosing the site of Co Loa as his capital.