The ceremony was jointly held by the Hanoi municipal and Dong Anh district People's Committees and Thang Long Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, central and municipal officials, overseas visitors and locals attended the event.

Addressing the ceremony, Nhan affirmed that Co Loa's new status was to add historical and cultural value to the relic.

The Hanoi authorities have been paying great attention to conserving and restoring its cultural vestiges, including Co Loa, in coordination with developing tourism, which promotes Vietnam's traditional cultural identity, added Nhan.

For her part, Deputy Chairwoman of the Hanoi municipal People's Committee Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc requested the city's departments, industries and authorities to continue preserving and restoring the relic.

Co Loa is a relic complex of unique architectural and archeological value. The focal point of the complex is a three-round spiral citadel with 16 km in length, an outstanding example of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian architecture.

Co Loa was the ancient capital of the Vietnamese state of Au Lac during the reign of King An Duong Vuong 2,300 years ago.