Fodor's Expert Review Co Loa Citadel

The first fortified citadel in Vietnamese history (dating back to the 3rd century) and a onetime capital of the country, Co Loa is worth visiting for those with an interest in the nation's history. Only three of the original earthen ramparts are extant today. You can explore the site of the ancient imperial palace and nearby, under an old banyan tree, is the Ba Chua temple. A large and colorful festival on the sixth day of Tet, the lunar new year, celebrates King An Vuong Duong, now considered the guardian spirit of Co Loa. This is a popular destination for school groups, which can sometimes transform the normally serene temples into playgrounds reverberating with the laughter and chatting of hundreds of children.