When you ride to Cổ Loa Citadel, the safest way to park is to use the parking area near the entrance of the relic site, or a supervised parking spot close to the gate, ask the price and take a ticket before handing over the bike, and then walk between the Upper Temple, the Jade Well, the Ngự Triều Di Quy communal house and the shrine of Princess Mỵ Châu. Avoid stopping on the shoulder of National Road 3 or in village lanes. This guide helps you pick the right spot, know the indicative fees in advance and prepare for busy days such as the New Year festival.
The Cổ Loa relic site lies north of the Red River in the Đông Anh area, a little over 20 km from central Hanoi. If you have not chosen your route yet, read visiting Cổ Loa Citadel by motorbike: routes and travel tips, which compares the Nhật Tân Bridge and Đông Trù Bridge routes.
Parking options at a glance
Table of contents23
| Option | Best for | Advantages | Ask before you park |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking area at the site entrance | Seeing the main sights over a few hours | Spacious, easy to find, close to the Upper Temple and Jade Well | Price per visit, closing time, whether it is watched all day |
| Supervised spot at a drinks stall or house near the gate | When the main lot is full or you stop for a drink | Flexible and close to the entrance | Price, whether you get a ticket, who is responsible |
| Restaurant parking while you eat | Lunch near the site | The bike stays in sight of the owner | Whether there is a charge, how long you can stay |
| Stopping on National Road 3 or a village lane | Not recommended | None | Dangerous, blocks traffic, nobody watches the bike |
Why it pays to plan your parking
Cổ Loa is not a single building but a large complex. According to Vietnamplus (15 February 2013), the site has three rings of ramparts totalling more than 16 km and more than 60 relics of various sizes. Without a parking plan, it is easy to end up circling in search of an entrance or stopping somewhere unsuitable.
The access road joins National Road 3, which carries heavy trucks and coaches, so pulling over on the national road to check directions or take photos is genuinely dangerous. During the Cổ Loa festival on the 5th and 6th days of the first lunar month, crowds arrive in huge numbers, temporary parking spots appear everywhere, and prices and arrangements can be very different from an ordinary day.
The parking area at the site entrance
Where it is and how to recognise it
After turning off National Road 3 at the sign for “Khu di tích Cổ Loa”, ride slowly and look for parking signs near the main entrance. According to Hoàng Hà Mobile (updated 26 August 2026), there is a large parking area at the entrance to the site. If you are unsure, ask the ticket staff or a security guard rather than stopping in the middle of the road to ask.
Indicative parking fee
The same source puts the fee at around 5,000–10,000 VND per visit. This comes from an aggregator site and may change, especially at festival time. Ask the price before handing over the bike and make sure you get a ticket.
Opening hours and lot closing time
According to Vinwonders (24 July 2025), the relic site is open from 8:00 to 17:00 every day. The parking area may not close at exactly the same time, so ask the attendant when you park to avoid being caught out on your way back.
A safe parking routine in six steps
- Ask the price before handing over the bike. Check whether it is per visit or per hour, and whether festival prices differ.
- Get a ticket or token. Keep it somewhere secure and photograph it in case you lose it.
- Photograph the bike and its plate. Take all four sides and the parking position so you can find it quickly in a crowded lot.
- Lock the steering and take the key. If the attendant needs the key to rearrange bikes, confirm who is holding it.
- Carry your valuables. Do not leave documents, wallets or spare phones in the under-seat compartment.
- Remember the closing time. Set a phone reminder if you plan to stay a long time.
After parking: walking between the sights
The main sights in the central area are fairly close together, so parking once and walking makes the most sense. According to Vinwonders, the Jade Well sits in the middle of the pond in front of the Upper Temple, the Ngự Triều Di Quy communal house is about 300 m east of the Upper Temple, and the shrine of Princess Mỵ Châu lies to the west of the communal house. A suggested walking loop:
- The Upper Temple, dedicated to King An Dương Vương.
- The Jade Well in the pond in front of the temple.
- The shrine of Princess Mỵ Châu and the Ngự Triều Di Quy communal house.
- The archaeological exhibition, if it is open.
Walking saves you from wheeling the bike in and out of several gates and gives you time to enjoy the old earthen ramparts at an easy pace.
Festival days and busy weekends
- Arrive early, before the main parking areas fill up.
- Only park where someone is on duty and gives you a ticket; avoid unclear arrangements.
- If a price seems unusually high, you can ask again or choose another spot; do not hand over the bike before agreeing a price.
- Allow extra time to collect the bike when you leave.
- Do not stop along the access road to the site, which is used by processions and worshippers.
Hanoi parking fees: knowing what applies
From 15 October 2026, Hanoi raised the charge for motorbike parking at state-funded parking points on roads and pavements to 10,000 VND per visit, according to VnExpress. That rule covers those specific points; parking at the relic site or at privately run spots may have its own prices. Asking first is still the surest approach.
Extra points if you are riding a rental
Cổ Loa lies outside the inner-city area most visitors know, so before you go, ask your rental company where the bike may be ridden and how they help if it breaks down; see our guide to confirming roadside support coverage. When you collect the bike, note the fuel level using our checklist on checking fuel level at pickup.
If you lose your parking ticket, tell the attendant straight away and be ready to show the bike’s papers (the registration document or whatever the rental company gave you) to prove you are the person using it. Save your rental company’s phone number before you leave the city.
Photos and respect
Cổ Loa is a place of worship as well as a historic site. Dress modestly, remove your hat inside the temples, keep your voice down and ask before photographing people who are praying. Around the Jade Well, stay behind barriers and do not throw coins or rubbish into the water.
When the weather turns
Open-air lots usually have no shade or roof. On hot days the seat can become very hot, so cover it with a scarf or your poncho. On rainy days, do not stuff a wet poncho into the under-seat compartment with your documents; keep papers in a small plastic sleeve. After rain, dirt surfaces and painted lines around the lot are slippery, so wheel the bike slowly in and out.
Checklist before you leave the parking area
- Match your ticket, take the right bike and look quickly for new scratches.
- Check tyres, lights and brakes before rejoining National Road 3.
- Look at the fuel gauge and top up if needed before the bridge back into the city.
- Fasten your helmet strap and keep your rain gear within reach.
- Look carefully and signal early when joining National Road 3.
Riding etiquette near the site
Once you leave National Road 3, the access roads around Cổ Loa pass homes, schools and small markets. Ride slowly, give way to pedestrians and older residents, and use your horn only briefly as a warning. On festival days, local volunteers or staff may direct traffic; follow their instructions even if your navigation app suggests a different turn.
Frequently asked questions
Is there motorbike parking at Cổ Loa Citadel?
Yes. An aggregator site mentions a large parking area at the entrance to the site, and some drinks stalls and houses near the gate also look after bikes.
How much does motorbike parking cost at Cổ Loa?
According to Hoàng Hà Mobile (updated 26 August 2026), around 5,000–10,000 VND per visit. Prices can change, especially during festivals, so ask first.
Should I park at different gates to save time?
There is no need. The main sights in the central area are close together; parking once and walking is easier and safer.
Can I park during the festival?
Yes, but it is very crowded. Arrive early, only use supervised spots that give tickets and agree the price before handing over the bike.
What time does the parking area close?
The site is open 8:00–17:00 according to Vinwonders; the lot may close at a different time, so ask the attendant when you park.
What if I lose my parking ticket?
Tell the attendant immediately and show the bike’s papers and your ID to prove you are the person using it. With a rental, contact the rental company if you need help.
Renting a motorbike from Mr Tú
If you would like to explore Hanoi at your own pace, Mr Tú rents out automatic scooters and semi-automatic motorbikes near the Old Quarter, by the day, the week or the month. See our page on motorbike rental near the Old Quarter or contact Mr Tú to ask about availability, the documents you need, where the bike may be ridden and the current rental conditions before you set off.
In short: at Cổ Loa Citadel, park in the lot at the site entrance or at a ticketed, supervised spot near the gate, ask the price and closing time first, keep your ticket safe and walk between the Upper Temple, the Jade Well, the communal house and the Mỵ Châu shrine. Avoid stopping on National Road 3, especially on crowded festival days.
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