The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is one of the particularly important historical and cultural relics of Vietnam. This place used to be the political, economic, and cultural center of Dai Co Viet during the three dynasties of Kings Dinh, Le, Ly. The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is located in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, about 100 km south of Hanoi. Here, visitors can not only admire the majestic natural scenery but also learn about the heroic history, unique culture, and enjoy the delicious specialties of this land.
The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital was chosen as the capital of Dai Co Viet in 968 when King Dinh Tien Hoang unified the country after the period of the 12 warlords. Hoa Lu has a strategic position, surrounded by high mountain ranges, winding rivers, creating a strong natural defense system. The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital has an area of about 400 hectares, including Inner Citadel, Outer Citadel, and Southern Citadel. Among them, the Inner Citadel is the residence of the royal family and officials, the Outer Citadel is the residence of the people, and the Southern Citadel is the residence of the soldiers. The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital has witnessed many important historical events, such as the assassination of King Dinh Tien Hoang and his son, the ascension of King Le Dai Hanh, the succession to King Ly Cong Uan, and the relocation to Thang Long in 1010.
After the relocation, Hoa Lu is only a historical ancient capital, many architectural works have been destroyed or decayed over time. Today, visitors to the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital can only see a part of the ancient city wall, two temples worshiping King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, and some other ancient pagodas. These relics still retain unique architectural features, bearing the imprint of the art and beliefs of the ancient Vietnamese. In addition, visitors can also participate in traditional annual festivals in Hoa Lu, such as Dinh Temple Festival, Le Temple Festival, Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival, Nam Pagoda Festival,… to feel the national spirit and local culture.
The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is not only a historical relic but also an attractive tourist destination, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists. Here, visitors can combine visiting other famous places of Ninh Binh, such as Trang An scenic area, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Mua Cave, Tam Coc – Bich Dong,… to explore the natural beauty and people of this land. The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital deserves to be an indispensable destination when traveling to Ninh Binh, to enjoy a meaningful and interesting trip.
