To ride from the Old Quarter to Cổ Loa Citadel, you have two main options: cross Nhật Tân Bridge and follow Võ Nguyên Giáp and Trường Sa roads onto National Road 3 towards Đông Anh, or head over to the Long Biên side, cross Đông Trù Bridge and take Trường Sa road onto National Road 3. At the junction signed “Khu di tích Cổ Loa” (Cổ Loa relic site), turn in. The site lies a little over 20 km from central Hanoi, and with clear roads the ride takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes. This guide helps you pick the right route, ride the bridges safely and prepare your bike before you go.
A note on the figures: distances and times here come from travel websites (Vinwonders, 24 July 2025; Hoàng Hà Mobile, updated 26 August 2026). Real journey times depend on when you leave, the weather and traffic, so open a navigation app before setting off.
The two routes compared
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| Route | River crossing | Main roads | Best if | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route 1 | Nhật Tân Bridge | Võ Nguyên Giáp → Trường Sa → National Road 3 | You are staying in the Old Quarter, Ba Đình or Tây Hồ | Long, open bridge with strong crosswinds; stay in the motorbike lane |
| Route 2 | Long Biên or Chương Dương Bridge, then Đông Trù Bridge | Trường Sa → National Road 3 | You are east of the Old Quarter or want to see Long Biên Bridge | More junctions; keep an eye on your map |
Some travel sites also suggest going via Thăng Long Bridge. Whichever bridge you choose, always use the lane marked for motorbikes and follow the road signs.
Cổ Loa Citadel in brief
Cổ Loa is linked to the ancient kingdom of Âu Lạc under King An Dương Vương. According to Vietnamplus (15 February 2013), the site received its certificate as a special national relic. It is known for three rings of earthen ramparts totalling more than 16 km and for more than 60 relics, including sites ranked at national and city level. After his victory at Bạch Đằng in 938, Ngô Quyền also chose Cổ Loa as his capital. The main sights are the Upper Temple (Đền Thượng) dedicated to An Dương Vương, the Jade Well (Giếng Ngọc), the shrine of Princess Mỵ Châu, the Ngự Triều Di Quy communal house and an exhibition of archaeological finds.
Route 1: via Nhật Tân Bridge
From the Old Quarter to Nhật Tân Bridge
From Hoàn Kiếm Lake, ride towards West Lake and then follow signs for Nhật Tân Bridge. The approach has several large junctions, so slow down, read the signs and move into the motorbike lane well before the bridge rather than changing lanes at the last moment.
Crossing the bridge and continuing on Võ Nguyên Giáp and Trường Sa
Nhật Tân Bridge is long and exposed, and crosswinds can be strong, especially when rain is on the way. Hold the handlebars firmly, keep a safe gap to the vehicle ahead and never stop on the bridge for photos. After the bridge, follow Võ Nguyên Giáp road and then switch to Trường Sa road as your navigation app directs.
Joining National Road 3 and turning into the site
From Trường Sa, join National Road 3 towards Đông Anh and continue to the junction signed “Khu di tích Cổ Loa”, then turn in. National Road 3 carries plenty of trucks and coaches, so keep to the right and signal early before turning.
Route 2: via Đông Trù Bridge
If you are staying east of the Old Quarter, cross either Long Biên Bridge (reserved for motorbikes, bicycles and trains) or Chương Dương Bridge to the Long Biên side, then head towards Đông Trù Bridge. After crossing, take Trường Sa road onto National Road 3 and continue to the turn for the relic site. This route has more junctions, so mount your phone on a holder, use voice navigation and never ride with the phone in your hand.
When to go
- Opening hours: according to Vinwonders (24 July 2025), the site is open from 8:00 to 17:00 every day. Check again before you go.
- Mornings: cooler, quieter and with lovely light around the Jade Well and the Upper Temple.
- Avoid rush hour: leave the city after the morning commute and come back before the evening rush to avoid queues at the bridge approaches.
- Festival days: the Cổ Loa festival takes place at the Upper Temple on the 5th and 6th days of the first lunar month. It gets very busy, so arrive early and expect to wait to park.
Tickets and parking
According to Vinwonders (24 July 2025), tickets cost 10,000 VND for adults and 5,000 VND for students over 15, university students and older visitors, while children under 15 and veterans enter free. Hoàng Hà Mobile (updated 26 August 2026) mentions a large parking area at the entrance, charging around 5,000–10,000 VND per visit. These figures come from aggregator sites and may change, so ask the price and take your ticket before parking.
Extra points if you are riding a rental
Cổ Loa lies north of the Red River, outside the inner-city area most visitors know. 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. The round trip of roughly 40–50 km is not long, but topping up before the bridge still gives you peace of mind.
Staying safe on bridges and national roads
- Use the motorbike lane; never ride in lanes reserved for cars.
- In strong wind on a bridge, slow down, keep the handlebars straight and avoid risky overtaking.
- On National Road 3, watch for large trucks changing lanes and stay out of their blind spots.
- Do not stop on bridges or on the hard shoulder of the national road to take photos.
- In the rain, wear a well-fitted poncho, avoid slippery painted lines and brake gently and early.
Riding etiquette outside the city
Once you leave the inner city, traffic patterns change. Trucks overtake more often, people on bicycles and older riders may cross the road unexpectedly, and roadside stalls can pull vehicles in and out. Ride a little slower than the fastest traffic, use your horn briefly to signal rather than to complain, and give extra space around schools and markets. Near the relic site itself, slow right down: visitors on foot, families and festival-goers often walk on the road edge.
When the weather turns
Afternoon showers are common in the warmer months, and bridges feel the wind first. If a storm is clearly building, wait it out at a café before crossing rather than riding over a long, exposed bridge in heavy rain. Keep documents in a small plastic sleeve and your poncho within easy reach.
Pre-ride checklist
- Helmet with the strap fastened, a rain poncho and water.
- The bike’s papers, a valid licence and your rental company’s phone number.
- A charged phone, a phone holder and offline maps.
- Small banknotes for tickets and parking.
- Modest clothing if you plan to enter the temples or communal house.
- Check brakes, lights, horn, tyres and fuel.
Photos and respect at the site
Cổ Loa is not only a historic site but also a place of worship, especially the Upper Temple and the shrine of Princess Mỵ Châu. Dress modestly, remove your hat inside the temples, keep your voice down and avoid stepping over offerings or sitting on altar steps. Ask before photographing people who are praying, and follow any signs that restrict photography. Around the Jade Well, stay behind barriers and do not throw coins or rubbish into the water. These small gestures matter to the local community and make the visit more pleasant for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Cổ Loa Citadel from the Old Quarter?
Travel websites put the site a little over 20 km from central Hanoi. By motorbike it takes around 30–45 minutes on clear roads, longer at rush hour.
Should I take Nhật Tân Bridge or Đông Trù Bridge?
From the Old Quarter or Tây Hồ, Nhật Tân Bridge is usually more convenient. If you are on the Long Biên side, Đông Trù Bridge makes sense. Both routes join National Road 3 before the turn to the site.
Can motorbikes ride on Nhật Tân Bridge?
Yes, but you must use the lane marked for motorbikes and follow the signs. Do not stop on the bridge.
What are the opening hours?
According to Vinwonders (24 July 2025), 8:00 to 17:00 every day. Hours can change around festivals, so check before you go.
Is there motorbike parking at Cổ Loa?
Yes. An aggregator site mentions a large parking area at the entrance charging around 5,000–10,000 VND per visit. Ask the price and keep your ticket safe.
Is Cổ Loa crowded during the festival?
Very, especially on the 5th and 6th days of the first lunar month. Arrive early, use the official parking area and allow extra time.
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: to reach Cổ Loa Citadel by motorbike, cross Nhật Tân Bridge or Đông Trù Bridge, follow Trường Sa road onto National Road 3 towards Đông Anh and turn in at the junction signed “Khu di tích Cổ Loa”. Leave early, stay in the motorbike lane on the bridges and check fuel and papers before you go for a relaxed, safe trip.
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