Co Loa, roughly 16–17 kilometres northeast of the Old Quarter in Dong Anh, is Vietnam’s oldest known fortification — a set of earthen spiral ramparts dating to the third century BCE and the capital of An Duong Vuong’s Au Lac kingdom. At that distance it is the shortest genuine “leave the city” ride from Hanoi: an easy half day, often combined with the Red River dyke roads.
The route
The pleasant way out is the dyke road: cross the river, pick up the Red River dyke corridor northeast, and follow it into Dong Anh market-garden country until the Co Loa signs appear. The alternative is the straight road out of the city through Dong Anh town — faster, less scenic. Either way, allow 45–60 minutes from the centre. The riding is completely undemanding; the fun is the river-and-fields stretch on the dyke.
At the citadel
Co Loa is not a monument in the Angkor sense — it is a landscape. The vestiges are enormous earthen ramparts arranged in concentric spirals, grown over with trees and sliced by village lanes; inside sit the An Duong Vuong temple, the Ngoc Trong well, the small museum, and a living village that has absorbed the site. A modest entrance fee applies at the temple-museum area.
The museum is worth 20 minutes for the bronze arrowheads and the legend of the magic crossbow; the temple compound is the ceremonial heart, busiest during the Co Loa festival in the first lunar month. Ride or walk the rampart lanes between the outer rings — the sense of scale only appears once you are on them.
Practical notes
- Half a day is plenty; combine with Bat Trang or a Red River islands loop for a full day.
- The village lanes inside the ramparts are narrow and busy with local life — park near the temple and walk.
- Weather matters little here; the dyke road after rain is the main caution.
Any bike manages this trip. Contact us to confirm current availability.