Cổ Loa holds a particularly important position in the history of nation-building and national defense of Vietnam. Not only was it the capital of the state of Âu Lạc under King An Dương Vương around the 3rd century BC and during the reign of Ngô Quyền in the 10th century, but Cổ Loa also served as a political, military, and cultural center associated with various periods of the nation's historical development. With its extensive system of ramparts, distinctive construction techniques, interconnected network of moats, and residential, religious, and community spaces that have been preserved and passed down for more than two millennia, Cổ Loa is an exceptional heritage site reflecting the formation of the early Vietnamese state and the Red River civilization.
In the process of preparing the scientific nomination dossier for Cổ Loa Historic Site for submission to UNESCO for inscription on the World Heritage List, comprehensive research and clarification of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of Cổ Loa Historic Site constitute an important area of work that requires further scientific study, discussion, and assessment.
With the aim of identifying the Outstanding Universal Value of Cổ Loa Historic Site and providing a scientific basis for completing the Executive Summary for submission to UNESCO for consideration for inclusion in the World Heritage Tentative List, the Hanoi People's Committee and the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, in coordination with the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, will organize the scientific conference entitled “Identifying the Outstanding Universal Value of Cổ Loa Historic Site”.
Time: 8:00 AM, August 12, 2026.
Venue: Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center (19C Hoàng Diệu Street, Ba Đình Ward, Hanoi).
The Organizing Committee cordially invites delegates, experts, scholars, heritage managers, local communities, and other interested participants to attend the conference and contribute their perspectives and scientific arguments to discussions aimed at demonstrating the Outstanding Universal Value, integrity, and authenticity of Cổ Loa Historic Site.
CO LOA HISTORIC SITE MANAGEMENT BOARD
