Legend has it that Cao Lo - An Duong Vuong's talented general was the one who created the magic crossbow (also known as Lien Chau crossbow) that shot many arrows at once. The book Lĩnh Nam chích quái (Selection of Strange Tales in Lĩnh Nam) writes: Point the bows to the enemies and they do not dare come near.

Many scientists have studied to decipher the secret of how to make this magic crossbow. In 2020, engineer Vũ Đình Thanh, a technical expert of Almaz research and production agency in Almaz Antey Corporation of the Russian Federation, studied a crossbow model that can shoot many arrows at once. In June 2020, the Center for Hanoi Studies and Capital Development cooperated with the Hanoi Historical Association to organize a scientific seminar "Research on the restoration of Liên Châu crossbows in the An Dương Vương period" to clarify the technical principle of this crossbow model. After the seminar, Engineer Vũ Đình Thanh continued to research and perfect the crossbow model.

To confirm the new results in the study, on May 16, 2022, Engineer Vũ Đình Thanh collaborated with the Hanoi Historical Association, the Thăng Long- Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, the Management Department of  Cổ Loa vestige site held an experiment to shoot crossbows. Attending the event were scientists and management agencies: Dr. Nguyễn Văn Sơn - Chairman of the Hanoi Historical Association; Historical researcher Lê Văn Lan; Lieutenant General Nguyễn Huy Hiệu - Former Deputy Minister of National Defense; Major general Nguyễn Đình Chiến - Former Director of the Institute of Defense Strategy; Colonel Lê Đình Sỹ - Former Deputy Director of the Institute of Military History; Dr. Nguyễn Viết Chức - Vice Chairman of the Cultural and Social Advisory Council; Dr. Ngô Văn Nam - Deputy Director of Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center - Hanoi; Mr. Hoàng Công Huy - Deputy Head of the Management Department of Cổ Loa vestige site. At the experiment, Engineer Vũ Đình Thanh, scientists and delegates performed crossbow shooting with 05 arrows at the same time, the arrow's range to the target was from 55m - 70m.

Evaluating the experimental results of Lien Chau crossbow shooting at Co Loa relic site, scientists and army generals basically said that this is an effective research project, the crossbow can shoot many arrows and has a long range and the damage, very commendable. At the same time, educate the young generation in patriotism and national history pride. Besides, engineer Vũ Đình Thanh needs to continue to research on shapes, decorative motifs, shooting techniques... so that the crossbow model is close to the description of Liên Châu crossbow in the An Dương Vương period through previous studies of scientists.

Scientists, army generals and crossbow model

Install the arrow tube

Set arrow

Pull crossbow

Crossbow shooting

Discuss the results of the crossbow shooting experiment

MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT OF CỔ LOA VESTIGE SITE