[International] Vietnam's Co Loa Citadel, Over 2,000 Years Old, Competes for World Heritage Status, Evolving from Defensive Fortress to Cultural Symbol
RtiTalk 小編21d ago
The Co Loa Citadel ruins near Hanoi, with a history of over two thousand years, are Vietnam's oldest defensive capital and important tangible evidence of the Dong Son culture, deeply integrated into local residents' beliefs.
The government is currently making full efforts to prepare for its application to be listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Residents told Radio Taiwan International (RTI) that they are proud of the history of this ancient city.
According to a report by Vietnam News on the 14th, the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center recently collaborated with the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences to organize a seminar, inviting historical and cultural experts and scholars to prepare for the application of the Co Loa Citadel (Cổ Loa Citadel) to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Located about 30 kilometers north of the capital Hanoi, Co Loa was built around the 3rd century BC and was the capital of the Au Lac kingdom (also known as Au Lac) in Vietnamese history. In 938 AD, Ngo Quyen ended the thousand-year direct rule from the Central Plains since the Western Han Dynasty, establishing Vietnam's independent regime, and also chose this place as his capital.
An RTI reporter visited Co Loa on the 22nd, and some areas were under repair.
The light rain that day added poetry to this ancient capital full of history and stories. The Co Loa heritage complex includes archaeological sites, defensive fortifications, and historical architectural relics, with a designated protected area of over 800 hectares, making it Vietnam's oldest and largest defensive capital.
Local tour guide Nguyen Thanh Tung told RTI that Co Loa was the first capital of Vietnam's second dynasty. The first king at that time was King An Duong Vuong. Although the original appearance may no longer exist, many temples and pagodas rebuilt hundreds of years ago are still used for worship.
Based on the ruins, the ancient city originally had at least three layers of rammed earth walls, combined with high earth walls and interconnected moats, serving both defensive and water transport functions. This reflects the advanced architectural technology and centralized organizational capabilities of the time. The city also got its name from its spiral-shaped walls from the inside out.
The An Duong Vuong Temple is called "Thuong Temple" by locals. In front of the main entrance is a beautiful crescent lake with a jade well in the center. In a well-known legend in Vietnam, this is where Princess My Chau's husband, Trong Thuy, threw himself into the well out of guilt. The relationship between the ancient city's earth walls, canals, and moats is close. (Photo: RTI)
Nguyen Thanh Quang, director of the Heritage Conservation Center, stated at the seminar that Co Loa is not only a military fortress, capital, and ancient settlement, demonstrating the relationship between human habitation, production activities, and the natural environment, but also signifies the enhancement of social authority and class differentiation.
Quang said, "Co Loa is important tangible evidence of the early state formation of the Dong Son culture, reflecting the integration of metallurgical technology, rice cultivation, waterway transportation, military technology, and social organization."
The Dong Son culture was a prehistoric culture originating in the Red River region of northern Vietnam during the Iron Age, flourishing from around 700 BC to the beginning of the Common Era, with its influence extending to Southeast Asia and even the Indo-Malay Archipelago.
Co Loa Citadel was designated a National Special Relic by the government in 2012. The city still preserves relics such as the An Duong Vuong Temple, Bao Son Pagoda, and the My Chau Temple (Am My Chau), commemorating Princess My Chau, a victim of politics and love.
The My Chau Temple within the Co Loa heritage complex, which worships Princess My Chau, houses a "headless stone statue." Legend has it that the father of the princess's husband, the enemy leader King Nam Viet, deceived the innocent Princess My Chau, who inadvertently revealed the magic crossbow gifted by the Golden Turtle God that made King An Duong invincible. Enraged upon learning this, the king beheaded his daughter, whose body eventually turned into jade, symbolizing the princess's loyalty. (Photo: RTI)
In addition, the city preserves spaces for people's habitation and religious activities for over two thousand years. Ancient city gates and relics are scattered among residential houses.
An aunt, a resident who has been a volunteer at the Cao Lo General Temple for over 20 years, told RTI that the government is applying for certification from UNESCO, and this area might be completely demolished at that time.
However, she and the residents next to her said, "We feel it's completely fine. If we really have to move, we aunties are ready anytime, no need to worry about compensation. After all, the country needs it, and we should cooperate and make some sacrifices."
Walking through the Co Loa Citadel heritage protection area, relics and residential areas are intertwined and integrated. The unique aspect of Co Loa is its relationship with the residents. Today, locals still maintain traditional祭祀 (jìsì - worship) ceremonies passed down for thousands of years to commemorate King An Duong's establishment of the capital here. (Photo: RTI)
Staff at the An Duong Vuong Temple, dressed in traditional attire, told RTI that one of the characteristics of Co Loa is its festivals that have continued for over a thousand years. Every year on the sixth day of the first lunar month, a grand temple fair is held to commemorate King An Duong's relocation to the forbidden palace of Co Loa.
He said that this is a historic relic site that has long been integrated into the blood of the residents of Co Loa village. There is even a local proverb: "Better to abandon descendants than to miss the festival on the sixth day of the first lunar month."
Regarding the application for World Heritage status, he said, "This is a very happy event for all the people, because it means our ancient sites are now known to the whole world. It is historical proof, a historical relic with special significance that has long been classified, unique. If it can be recognized as a world-class heritage site by UNESCO, it will not only bring immense joy but is also a result that will definitely be achieved."
Two women, who have been volunteers at the Cao Lo General Temple in Co Loa for 20 years, told reporters that Co Loa is a proud history for the Vietnamese people, and residents eagerly anticipate its successful inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Co Loa Citadel is not only a relic of Vietnam's prehistoric civilization but also tells stories that unite national pride. Nguyen Thanh Tung said, "Although we are just a small country that started from war, we are very proud because we have a long history of over 3,000 years. It's not that we are better than others, but whenever we go to other modern, developed countries and look back at ourselves, we don't have to feel ashamed at all. We are proud to be Vietnamese because we have our own potential."
He said, "If Co Loa Citadel can be recognized by UNESCO, it will be great news for the Vietnamese people. After that, when people come to Vietnam, they will not only know that Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but they will also know about Co Loa Citadel. Co Loa Citadel represents human cultural heritage, while Ha Long Bay is natural heritage. This is really great, and it will be good news for us." (Editor: Song Wanyuan)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=229095
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