Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Historic Building in Ninh Binh

Temple Dinh Tien Hoang Hoa Lu
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

Located near the town of Ninh Binh, 90 km south of Hanoi, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital was the capital of the ancient Vietnamese Kingdom of Dai Co Viet in the 10th century. This small kingdom, covering only 300 hectares, thrived during the Dinh and Le dynasties in the 10th century and continued into the 11th century under the Ly Dynasty. The citadel and the Yen Ngua limestone hills provided excellent defense against Chinese invasions.

History and Highlights of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu is an ancient city surrounded by the Trang An limestone mountains. The Hoang Long River borders its northwest side, with tributaries running through the capital, cooling the weather and providing convenient waterways.

Known as Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu boasts numerous historical landmarks. In 968, King Dinh Bo Linh of Dai Co Viet (an old name for Vietnam) established his capital in Hoa Lu and ruled until 980. The capital continued to thrive for nearly 30 years during the Early Le dynasty (980-1009) and for one year during the Ly dynasty (1009-1010). In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long (now Hanoi), and Hoa Lu became an ancient capital, preserving many temples and relic sites.

The Royal Court was built over 150 hectares in the eastern part of the capital, while the western part served as an educational and protective site for children. The surroundings are picturesque, with ponds and limestone ranges forming a jagged horizon.

Today, Hoa Lu plays a crucial role in Vietnam’s architectural and historical complex. It is one of the four core areas forming the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Trang An Complex.

What to Do and See in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

  1. Participate in Annual Festivals
    • The most significant festival is the Truong Yen Festival, held on the 10th day of the third lunar month to honor the Kings of the Dinh and Le dynasties, Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh. The festival includes worship at Truong Yen water station on the Hoang Long River and at the kings’ temples. Activities include traditional games, Han script competitions, chess, and dragon dances.
  2. Visit Temples and Tombs
    • The Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang is a remarkable piece of architecture in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Situated at the foot of Ma Yen Mountain, this temple, crafted by Vietnamese artists in the 17th century, features exquisite wood and stone carvings. It exudes an ethereal, timeless beauty that transports visitors to a millennium-old version of the city.
    • The Temple of King Le Dai Hanh, also built in the 17th century, comprises three parts: the front shrine, Thien Huong House, and the Sanctum, which worships King Le. Though smaller than the Dinh Temple, it shares the same architectural style. In front of the main temple are an altar and a giant drum. At the back, there are beautiful depictions of King Le Dai Hanh, his wife, and his lesser-known son, King Le Long Dinh.
    • Nhat Tru Pagoda, also known as the One Pillar Pagoda, is a significant spiritual site in the Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel. Constructed in the 10th century, this pagoda preserves various antiquities linked to the history of the former imperial capital. Spanning over 3,000 square meters, the pagoda features five front halls, three upper halls, and a south-facing tiled roof. The front hall, made of wood, is decorated with stylized lotus blossoms and twisted foliage from the Nguyen dynasty. The upper hall has a truss structure with pillars and corners carved with dragons and swords in the style of the Le Dynasty.
    • Hoa Lu Tu Tran (Four Sacred Temples of Hoa Lu) Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the cultural center of Ninh Binh and the first fundamental dynasty of Vietnam, has witnessed many significant historical events. It is renowned for its four sacred temples, built to honor the gods of the four directions:
      • Quy Minh Temple in the South,
      • Nguyen Temple in the North,
      • Thien Ton Temple in the East,
      • and Cao Son Temple in the West.
  3. Visit Tam Coc – Bich Dong (Halong on Land)
    • From Hoa Lu, a trip to Tam Coc – Bich Dong offers stunning mountain views, caves, and charming waterways. Known as a “terrestrial Halong Bay,” it is most beautiful in the summer when the rice fields turn a sparkling yellow.
  4. Climb Ma Yen Mountain
    • Ma Yen Mountain, around 200 meters high, is associated with the legend of King Dinh Bo Linh, who established the capital in 968. Visitors can climb to the top for a panoramic view of the ancient capital and visit the tomb of King Le Dai Hanh at the mountain’s foot.

How to Get to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

You can take a day tour from Hanoi, about 110 km away. Travel options include:

  1. By Bus
    • Buses depart from Giap Bat or My Dinh stations in Hanoi. Tickets range from 100,000 to 150,000 VND per person, with buses available every 30 minutes from 5 am to 11 pm.
  2. By Car or Motorbike
    • Drive along Giai Phong Street, turn onto Phap Van – Cau Gie Highway, and follow signposts to Ninh Binh Province, then to Hoa Lu.
  3. By Train
    • Trains stop at Ninh Binh Railway Station, from where you can take a taxi to Hoa Lu.

The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Ninh Binh!

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Visiting Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hours:

7 am to 5 pm.


Price:

20,000 VND for each person

Address: Hoa Lư Ancient Capital, Trường Yên, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình, Vietnam

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