Đông Anh Town and nearby Cổ Loa

Thị trấn Đông Anh and nearby Cổ Loa are two distinct points of reference for planning your trip to Hanoi. Cổ Loa is in the vicinity of the destination, not within Thị trấn Đông Anh. The specially protected national monument is located there; in the town itself are, among others, Chợ Trung tâm Đông Anh and Chợ Ga Đông Anh markets. This distinction helps you consider where to stay and nearby cultural attractions separately.

Cổ Loa: Monument Area and Moats

A dense network of waterways extends around Cổ Loa. Outside each rampart ring is a moat with an average width of between 10 and 30 meters. The moats are interconnected and linked to the Hoàng River. This layout makes water an important part of the monument area's spatial structure: the moats lie outside each of the rampart rings while also forming an interconnected system.

In December 2024, plans to develop the national monument were linked to measures for managing, protecting, preserving, and communicating its values. The aim was to develop the heritage site into a significant and attractive destination in Vietnam and a stop on a tourist route in Hanoi. The 2026 Cổ Loa Spring Festival opened at the national monument on February 22, 2026. This provides a specific date for that edition of the festival.

Exhibition House and Archaeological Finds

The exhibition house for documents and archaeological finds in the Cổ Loa Monument Area is associated with the above-ground complex of architectural monuments. It is designed for visiting, exploring, and researching this significant national monument area. The first floor contains an overall model, a plan, and a screening room with documentaries and images about the monument area. The second floor displays 300 selected archaeological finds. They date from the Phùng Nguyên period to the present day and are connected to the history of Cổ Loa–Đông Anh in Hanoi.

The exhibition thus offers different ways to explore the site: the model and plan illustrate the monument area, while the finds span a long period of time. If you are planning a visit, check in advance whether the exhibition house is currently open to visitors.

Previous Tour: Craft and Food Culture

The tour “Tìm về kinh đô người Việt cổ,” launched in 2023, included several hands-on activities. Visitors could make clay arrowheads based on a replica of an arrowhead mold that scientists had found in Cổ Loa. They could also experience the preparation of the famous bún xào cần Mạch Tràng dish and sample it. The tour combined an archaeological model with a culinary experience. These activities were part of the tour launched in 2023; for your stay, do not assume without checking that it is still available.

Hotel Search and Trip Planning

If Cổ Loa is a focus of your trip, bear in mind that the nearby monument area is outside Thị trấn Đông Anh. Consider the specific hotel address when choosing where to stay if proximity to nearby cultural sites matters to you. This keeps the geographic distinction between the town and Cổ Loa clear as you plan your stay.

Discover more destinations: Ðồng Dụ, Kim Quan, La Phù, Hanoi, Sơn Tây Town.

Go to the main travel overview: Ha Noi.