Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Travel Guide

Hoa Lu ancient capital was the first capital of feudal state of Vietnam, Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu Distric, Ninh Binh Province. It is far 100 kilometer from Hanoi to the south. Since 968, Dinh Bo Linh throne in Hoa Lu, the Hoa Lu Capital has existed 41years (968-1009) in which 12 years is dynasty of Dinh and the next 29 years is dynasty of Le. Over thousands of years ago, Hoa Lu is magnificent capital. The mountains surrounded the capital as the painted veil, Hoang Long River is meander and Nho Quan, Gia Vien field has many deep trenches that are advantageous for military.

  

Hoa Lu ancient capital is 300 hectares width, including outside area and inside area, surrounded by a series of rocky arc mountains, spectacular scenery.

Outside area has 140 hectares width, belonging to Yen Thanh village, Truong Yen Commune. This is the main palace area with Dinh, Le Temple is the center and this is where Dinh Tien Hoang built the nation. Before the palace, there has Ma Yen Mountain.

Inside area belongs to Chi Phong Village, Truong Yen Commune which reared children and maids in the palace.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Travel Guide

The South (to the south, opposite and connect with outside area) is surrounded by high mountains and is guarded the back, from here, it can quickly withdraw by the water.

In 1010, Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long. Hoa Lu capital becomes ancient capital. The reign of Le Hoan, he built many magnificent palaces: Bach Thao Thien Tue palace, Phong Luu palace, Bong Lai palace, Cuc Lac palace, Hoa Van palace, Truong Xuan palace, Long Loc palace which has silver roof.

Through rain and sunshine more than 10 years, the historic relics in the Hoa Lu ancient capital are almost destroyed. Currently, it remains temple of Dinh and Le built in the 17th century.

Dinh Temple was built on the background of the ancient palaces with “Ngo Mon”, lotus lake, Gia Mountain, flower garden… There has “Long Sang” made by monolithic stone is very beautiful. Next is the place that worships people who established the nation. The inner place, there has statue of Dinh Tien Hoang and his son. The carved images in stone, wood are dragon, clouds, fairies, flowers… They are sophisticatedly decorated.

Le Temple is far about 500meters from Dinh Temple. Le Temple has small scale but there has three areas: Bai Duong, worship of Pham Cu Luong- people helped Le Hoan throne, the main area: in the middle: Le Dai Hanh, on the right: Le Ngoa Trieu and on the left: Duong Van Nga. Le temple still retains many vestiges of ancient architecture with sophisticated decoration. Here, people found background of ancient palace and some ancient ceramics. They were kept at room on the left of the temple. Hoa Lu relic has some beautiful temple such as: Ngan Xuyen, Nhat Tru… which attracts a number of tourists to visit. Coming to Hoa Lu, tourist will have opportunity to sight the architecture, the majestic beauty of the whole relic.

Entrance fee: 10.000vnd/people

Tourists can use camera and take photo.