Throughout thousands of years of history, Vietnam prides itself on glorious historical chapters, and one of the indelible marks is the birth of the Dai Co Viet state. The foundation of this first centralized feudal state was laid at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, a sacred land that witnessed the careers of three illustrious dynasties: the Dinh, the Early Le, and the beginning of the Ly. Today, Hoa Lu is not just a historical relic but a living chronicle, a spiritual and cultural destination that attracts tourists from all over to return to the nation's roots.

Where is Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and what is its history?

Located in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is an architectural complex and a special national historical relic of Vietnam. This land is about 100km south of Hanoi, an unmissable highlight in any Ninh Binh tourism itinerary. The history of Hoa Lu is associated with a heroic period of the nation in the 10th century. After suppressing the 12 warlords and unifying the country, Dinh Bo Linh ascended the throne as Emperor (Dinh Tien Hoang) in 968, named the country Dai Co Viet, and chose Hoa Lu as the capital. This was the first capital of a centralized feudal state, opening an era of independence and autonomy after more than a thousand years of Chinese domination.

The capital of Hoa Lu existed for 42 years (968 - 1010), serving as the political, economic, and cultural center of Dai Co Viet through three dynasties:

• The Dinh Dynasty (968 - 980): Associated with the career of King Dinh Tien Hoang, who laid the foundation for independence.
• The Early Le Dynasty (980 - 1009): Founded by Le Hoan (Le Dai Hanh), renowned for his victories against the Song invasion and Champa, securing the nation's borders.
• The beginning of the Ly Dynasty (1009 - 1010): After Ly Cong Uan ascended the throne, he realized that Hoa Lu's rugged terrain was suitable for defense but limited long-term development. In 1010, King Ly Thai To decided to move the capital to Dai La Citadel and renamed it Thang Long (present-day Hanoi), ushering in a new development phase for the nation.

Although no longer the capital, Hoa Lu is still considered a sacred land, preserving important relics of King Dinh and King Le and a glorious historical period.

Why was Hoa Lu chosen as the capital?

Dinh Tien Hoang's choice of Hoa Lu as the capital was not a random decision but was based on profound strategic calculations in military and geographical terms. This land possessed all the elements to become a solid "stone capital":

Firstly, regarding its defensive terrain, Hoa Lu is surrounded by overlapping limestone mountain ranges, forming a steadfast natural fortress. The towering mountains connect to form a giant protective wall, shielding the entire central area. This rugged terrain made external attacks extremely difficult. The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel was divided into two rings: the East Citadel and the West Citadel, separated by mountain ranges, with only narrow passages that were easy to defend.

Secondly, regarding water and land transportation, the Hoang Long River system and its small meandering tributaries not only provided a water source but also served as a vital waterway. This waterway was convenient for movement and transportation of food and weapons, and also acted as a natural moat, a barrier against enemies. This landscape of "charming mountains and rivers" offered the advantage of being able to "attack when advancing, defend when retreating," a crucial factor for a young, newly unified nation.

Thirdly, Hoa Lu was the homeland of Dinh Bo Linh. Building the capital on his native land not only helped him gain the absolute support of the local people but also affirmed the status and authority of a founding emperor.

What is special about the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital complex?

After more than 1000 years of historical and temporal changes, the magnificent palaces and citadels of the old Hoa Lu capital are no longer intact. Instead, on the old grounds, later generations built memorial structures to commemorate the merits of their ancestors. The current relic complex is a collection of ancient temples, pagodas, and tombs nestled amidst majestic nature. The two most typical and important structures are the Temple of King Dinh and the Temple of King Le.

• Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang: Built in the "internal structure for worship, external structure for state affairs" architectural style on the grounds of the former main palace. The temple exudes a solemn, ancient beauty with intricate carvings of dragons, clouds, and flowers. Passing through the outer gate (Nghi Mon), visitors enter a large dragon courtyard, where there is a monolithic stone royal bed with elaborate carvings. Inside the main sanctuary are the statues of King Dinh Tien Hoang and his sons, Dinh Lien and Dinh Toan. The atmosphere inside the temple is always quiet and solemn, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a bygone historical era.
• Temple of King Le Dai Hanh: Located about 300 meters from King Dinh's temple, King Le's temple is smaller in scale but also rich in historical and artistic value. The temple is built in a similar architectural style, dedicated to King Le Dai Hanh (Le Hoan). The most special feature here is the central hall of the main sanctuary, which houses the statue of King Le, with the statue of Empress Duong Van Nga to his right and his son, King Le Long Dinh, to his left. The statue of Empress Duong Van Nga, a special woman in history (wife to both King Dinh and King Le), is placed in the temple to show the people's respect for her, who put on the royal robe and handed power to Le Hoan to lead the army against the Song invaders.

Besides the two main temples, visitors can also explore other relics such as Nhat Tru Pagoda (also known as the One Pillar Pagoda of Hoa Lu) with its unique stone Buddhist prayer column, the tomb of King Dinh, the tomb of King Le, and many other relics scattered throughout the area.

When is the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital festival held and what makes it attractive?

The traditional Hoa Lu Ancient Capital festival, also known as the Truong Yen festival, is one of the largest festivals in Northern Vietnam, held annually to commemorate the merits of the national heroes who built and defended the capital of Hoa Lu. The festival takes place from the 8th to the 10th day of the third lunar month, attracting tens of thousands of locals and tourists.

The festival consists of two main parts: the ceremony and the festivities.

• The Ceremony: This part is conducted solemnly with many traditional rituals such as the temple-opening ceremony, a water procession from the Hoang Long River to King Dinh's temple, a bathing ceremony for the statues, an offering ceremony, and a grand sacrificial rite. The magnificent palanquin processions, with vibrant flags and flowers, recreate the majestic atmosphere of the old court, expressing deep reverence and gratitude to the former emperors.
• The Festivities: This part is lively with many unique cultural and folk sports activities. Visitors can immerse themselves in games like wrestling, human chess, boat racing on the Sao Khe River, or enjoy artistic performances such as Cheo singing, Xam singing, and dragon dancing. A special highlight is the performance of "Reed Flag Battle Games," which reenacts the childhood of Dinh Bo Linh.

What travel tips for Hoa Lu Ancient Capital should you know?

For a complete visit to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, you can refer to some useful tips below:

• Ideal Time to Visit: You can visit Hoa Lu in any season. However, the best time is in spring (from March to May), especially during the festival in the third lunar month, to experience the unique cultural atmosphere. Autumn (September, October) is also an excellent choice with cool and pleasant weather.
• Transportation: From Hanoi, you can easily get to Ninh Binh by coach, train, or private vehicle (car, motorbike). The distance is only about 100km and takes about 2 hours. From Ninh Binh city center, you can take a taxi or rent a motorbike to get to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
• Attire: As this is a solemn historical and spiritual site, you should choose respectful, modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees to show respect.
• Combining Tours: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is very close to other famous tourist spots in Ninh Binh. You should combine your trip with visits to the Trang An Landscape Complex, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Mua Cave, and Bai Dinh Pagoda for a comprehensive exploration of Ninh Binh.

More than a millennium has passed, and the old capital of Hoa Lu is now in ruins, but its historical, cultural, and spiritual values live on. Returning to Hoa Lu is returning to the roots, to listen to the echoes of history, to be proud of a heroic nation, and to feel more deeply the responsibility of today's generation in preserving and promoting the priceless heritage left by our ancestors.

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