The capital city of Hanoi has begun a project to conserve the Co Loa citadel, which is Vietnam’s oldest citadel, dating back to the Stone Age.

The Relics Site Management Board said the project costing over VND27 billion (roughly US$1.5 million) would cover survey, research, zoning and evaluation of the site to work out the most suitable way of conserving it.

A website will also be launched to help collect information on the site.

Located in Hanoi’s suburbs, the Co Loa citadel is a mixture of architectural styles, dating back to different stages of Vietnamese history, from the stone to the bronze and iron ages.