Hanoi restores citadel

HANOI Vietnam will spend over USD300 million to restore and promote an ancient religious complex in the capital city of Hanoi.
The plan is to turn it into an historical-ecological park.
Tuoi Tre News reported an estimated restoration cost for Co Loa Citadel, located in Dong Anh district, at USD338 million, drawn from the state budget, communities and religious organisations
The investment will be used to restore and promote Co Loa Citadel as an historical-ecology park covering 860.4 hectares.
inside no 2Efforts to preserve the architectural features include restoration of the three walls of the citadel, gates, communal houses, temples and other cloisters and buildings.
Once completed, the restored park should welcome around 230,000 visits per year by 2020, and 373,000 visits per year by 2030, the report said.
Co Loa Citadel was built near Phong Khe, about 20 km to the north of today’s Hanoi, during the end of the Hong Bang Dynasty (about 257 BC).
Covering nearly 500 ha, the citadel was a place of worship for King An Duong Vuong and Princess My Chau.
According to folklore, An Duong Vuong founded the ancient Vietnamese state of Au Lac and chose Co Loa as the capital city.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia