Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – First Vietnam’s Capital

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Introduction

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital in Ninh Binh is a crucial national relic complex of Vietnam. Furthermore, it is one of the four core areas of the Trang An Landscape Complex – the dual World Heritage Site that UNESCO recognized in 2014.

Moreover, the system of relics in Hoa Lu is related to the careers of historical figures belonging to the three dynasties of Dinh, Tien Le and the beginning of the Ly. It starts from emperor Dinh Tien Hoang to emperor Ly Thai To (968 – 1010).

Most importantly, Hoa Lu Ninh Binh is Vietnam’s first Capital of feudalism with crucial historical events. For example, the country’s reunification, defeating the Tong invaders (Song dynasty of China) and pacifying the Champa Kingdom.

Ways To Travel To Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

You may travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh using one of the following options:

By Private Car or Limousine Transfer: This is the best choice because you can reserve the car in advance and depart whenever you want. Besides, you don’t have to wait like taking a taxi or a bus.

Most importantly, for private cars, there are three types for you to choose from Sedan (4 seats), SUV (7 seats) and Van (16 seats). In addition to the Private Car Hanoi To Ninh Binh and Hanoi Luxury Car To Ninh Binh. We also offer Ninh Binh one day tour to explore Hoa Lu, Tam Coc – Bich Dong and Mua cave.

By Train: Train tickets from Hanoi to Ninh Binh range from 90,000 to more than 200,000 VND, depending on the train and seat type. When buying train tickets, you should not choose too late trips since it may affect your schedule.

By Bus: You can catch a bus from Giap Bat or My Dinh bus station to Ninh Binh with prices ranging from 50,000 VND to 60,000 VND/person. The average time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. 

By Motorcycle: The Phap Van-Cau Gie highway is a departure place for your trip if you want to go by motorcycle. Then, continue in the direction of Cau Gie – Phu Ly – Ninh Binh with a travel time of about 1 hour – 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Location & Area Of Hoa Lu Capital Vietnam

The entire Hoa Lu Ancient Capital relic site is located in the area bordering the two districts of Hoa Lu, Gia Vien and Ninh Binh city of Ninh Binh province. This fairly flat area is located in the limestone mountain system extending from Hoa Binh province. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital‘s historical and cultural relic area has a total area of ​​13.87 km2, including:

The special protection zone covers an area of ​​3 km2, including the entire area inside Hoa Lu citadel. The region has historical sites: temples of emperors Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh, the tombs of kings Dinh and Le, and a temple of Princess Phat Kim.

Besides, there are Nhat Tru pagoda, Thien Vuon palace, Cau Den stele, Kim Ngan pagoda, Bim cave, Co Am pagoda, and Duyen Ninh pagoda. In addition, there is the Sao Khe River, a part of Trang An ecological area and sections of the city wall, the underground palace foundation, etc.

The buffer zone has an area of ​​10.87 km2, including the landscape on both sides of the Sao Khe river and the Trang An complex. This area has historical sites: Am Tien cave, Quan Cave, Muoi cave (Salt cave), Yen Trach communal house, Ba Ngo pagoda, and so on.

The related relics include Bai Dinh pagoda, East gate, South gate, Thien Ton cave, Hoa Lu cave, Dinh Bo Linh temple. Plus, a complex of relics worshiping the Ding emperor in Ninh Binh, etc.

Best Time To Visit Hoa Lu Vietnam

You can visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – the first Capital of Vietnam at any time of the year. Nevertheless, spring is the most wonderful season because most festivities take place at this time.

Spring around March – April – May (solar calendar) is the most beautiful season, and many festivals are held. If you want to immerse yourself in the fun atmosphere and experience many exciting activities, you should choose this time.

On the 8th – 10th of the third lunar month (about April of the solar calendar), the traditional festival of Hoa Lu ancient capital, takes place every year. They also call it is Truong Yen festival or Co Lau festival. Hoa Lu festival aims to honor national heroes who built Hoa Lu capital and founded Dai Co Viet state in the 10th century. Especially the two cases of emperors Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh.

May – June is the time when the rice is ripe in Ninh Binh. At this time, you can combine visiting the ancient Capital of Hoa Lu with exploring other places, such as Tam Coc – Bich Dong, to see the golden rice fields.

Thus, this is the right time for you if you want to participate and experience these festivals’ bustling, crowded atmosphere. If you are a quiet person and want to enjoy the peaceful space of this place, you can choose to go in the remaining months.

History Of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Vietnam

Hoa Lu – North Vietnam capital – this area was the base of Dinh Bo Linh during the Ngo Dynasty. He broke away and successfully repelled the attack of the central government of Co Loa in 951, led by two emperors, Ngo Xuong Ngan and Ngo Xuong Van. Until the Ngo dynasty lost, this was still the base of Dinh Bo Linh (emperor Dinh Tien Hoang).

In 968, Dinh Bo Linh defeated 12 warlords, ascended the throne, founded the mighty Dai Co Viet, and established the Capital in Hoa Lu. Therefore, Hoa Lu became the political center and was the first imperial Capital of Vietnam.

From 968 to 1009, 6 emperors (Dinh Tien Hoang, Dinh Pho De, Le Dai Hanh, Le Trung Tong, Le Long Dinh, Ly Thai To) of 3 dynasties stationed in the Capital here.

In 1010, Emperor Ly Thai To moved the Capital to Thang Long Hanoi, letting Prince Ly Long Bo govern this land. From then until the Tran Dynasty, this area belonged to Truong Yen Highway. The Tran Dynasty used the South Truong Yen citadel of the ancient Capital of Hoa Lu as a resistance base against the Mongol Empire.

In addition, King Tran Thai Tong built the Hanh Cung Vu Lam in Hoa Lu, Tran temple, to worship the deity Quy Minh and A Nau pagoda. Vu Lam is where the Tran Emperors left home to practice.

What To Explore In Hoa Lu – Vietnam Old Capital?

The old Capital of Vietnam has many relics to explore. Firstly, the Dinh and Le dynasties built relics consisting of citadels, palaces, ancient pagodas and temples.

Secondly, the later dynasties built more relics, including the system of tombs and temples. Plus, communal houses worshiping kings and generals of the Dinh Le dynasty. Plus, you can discover the annual festivals and enjoy the delicious dishes in Hoa Lu.

Hoa Lu Ancient Town

Hoa Lu is the first town in the history of Vietnam. In 970, emperor Dinh Tien Hoang issued the first Vietnamese currency. This event marked the birth of the economy and finance of the centralized feudal system.

Hoa Lu ancient town is now restored at Ky Lan lake area, Tan Thanh ward, Ninh Binh city. Hoa Lu Ancient Town recreates Dai Viet’s history and culture back to the 10th century.

You will be able to see firsthand the famous traditional products from the old craft villages. For example, Ninh Van fine art stone village, Bo Bat pottery village, Van Lam embroidery, Bo De painting, Dong Ho painting village, etc.

Besides, this is also a place where you can enjoy delicious specialties from all regions of the country. For example, rice paper, Vietnamese square sticky rice cake (Banh Chung), and so on.

Ninh Binh Temples And Caves In Hoa Lu

The temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang and the temple of King Le Dai Hanh were built during the Ly Dynasty in Truong Yen commune. Plus, these temples are rebuilt during the Later Le Dynasty and are two important monuments of the relic site.

Temple of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang

The temple is located in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district. It is the only place in Vietnam that simultaneously worships Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang, his mother (Empress dowager Dam Quy Thi) and his father (Dinh Quoc Cong). Besides, princes and has a tablet to worship the generals of the Dinh dynasty.

Ma Yen mountain is in front of the temple, shaped like a horse saddle. On the mountain, there is a tomb of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang. Plus, the temple was a unique architectural work in the art of wood carving by Vietnamese folk artists in the 17th century. Also, it is a unique work of art with many rare and precious antiques preserved.

Nowadays, the place of the king’s temple still has precious antiques. It is a pair of adoring elephants and a pair of stone dragon beds – a national treasure. All are placed in the position of the yard, which is carved entirely from monolithic green stone with finely carved lines.

Temple of Emperor Le Dai Hanh

The temple of King Le Dai Hanh is located 300 meters from the temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang. However, the temple of King Le is smaller than the temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang. 

The temple worships Emperor Le Dai Hanh, Empress Duong Van Nga, and Le Long Dinh. In addition, there is also a tablet to worship Princess Le Thi Phat Ngan (the wife of emperor Ly Thai To later) and General Pham Cu Luong.

In front of the temple is the central square of Hoa Lu ancient capital, and Den mountain, located on the Sao Khe river. Behind the temple is a moat protecting the ancient Capital, which runs at the foot of Dia mountain.

Temple of Prince Le Long Thau

Phu Vuon Thien is a national historical and cultural relic belonging to the special protection area of Hoa Lu ancient capital. The temple is dedicated to Prince Le Long Thau, the eldest son of King Le Dai Hanh. The temple of Prince Le Long Thau is 600m from the center of Hoa Lu ancient capital. It is close to the temple of Princess Phat Kim – the youngest daughter of King Dinh Tien Hoang.

Besides Phu Vuon Thien, there is also Phu Dong Thanh in Dong Thanh village. Ninh Binh people worship Dong Thanh Vuong, i.e., Prince Le Long Tich, the second son of Emperor Le Dai Hanh, in this temple. Plus, there are many other temples in Hoa Lu capital that you can visit. Moreover, along with other relics, you can understand more about Vietnam’s history and culture during feudalism.

Temple of Princess Phat Kim

Phat Kim is one of Dinh Tien Hoang’s daughters. The temple of Princess Phat Kim was built during the Tien Le Dynasty. It is located near Le Hoan temple and Nhat Tru pagoda. The temple is in the middle, equidistant from King Le Dai Hanh temple and 300m from Thien Garden.

Legend has it that this position is located on the floor of Vong Nguyet palace, where she previously lived. The hexagonal well into which she committed suicide still stands in front of the temple.

Phat Kim Temple is a historic temple dedicated to a woman from the 10th century who was kind, devoted, and endured many trials in life. The spiritual value of the temple is also reflected in its deep meaning. Although the times have changed, the ups and downs, the ancient cultural roots are eternal.

Thien Ton Cave

Thien Ton cave is in Thien Ton town, Hoa Lu district. The Thien Ton pagoda cave is a relic worshiping the Thien Ton, the deity that protects the eastern gateway to the East citadel of Hoa Lu ancient capital.

In the past, this place was an outpost to report when entering the Capital of Hoa Lu from the east. Before sending his troops to quell the rebellion of the 12 warlords, emperor Dinh Tien Hoang brought offerings to the cave to ask for help from the deity.

Later on, the king built Tien Te and Kinh Thien Dai houses here, which were places to receive foreign envoys before the emperor let them into the palace.

Am Tien Cave – Tuyet Tinh Coc

Am Tien cave is a scenic spot belonging to Hoa Lu ancient capital’s special national relic complex. Most of the Am Tien cave’s area is a flooded valley surrounded by rocky cliffs. To enter the cave, after going through the tunnel, go down a path on the left-hand side, next to a clear lake with seaweed, lotus flowers and water lilies.

Previously, Am Tien cave was halfway up the mountain, and one had to climb 205 stone steps over the cliff. Nevertheless, today there was a tunnel through the mountain into the cave.

Inside the cave are many stalactites shaped like a rice tree, a Buddha’s hand fruit, and a drooping lotus flower with drops of water. Therefore, people dubbed Am Tien cave “Tuyet Tinh Coc.”

Village Communal Houses Architecture

Yen Thanh communal house

Yen Thanh communal house is next to Nhat Tru pagoda, in Yen Thanh ancient village, the most central place of the ancient Hoa Lu palace. The communal house of Yen Thanh village worships both Kings Dinh – Le.

Three gates limit Yen Thanh ancient village: the north gate to the center of Hoa Lu relic. The north gate to the Hoa Lu ancient capital is at the location of Den bridge, and the East bridge connects with Yen Thuong village.

Besides, this is an ancient village that plays a central role in connecting traffic. And, cultural spaces with the neighboring villages of Hoa Lu Tu Tran.

Hoa Lu Tu Tran is four deities who guard the East, west, south and north directions of Hoa Lu ancient capital in Ninh Binh folk beliefs. Those four deities are Thien Ton, Cao Son, Quy Minh and Khong Lo. Legend has it that these gods helped and protected the Hoa Lu capital. Hence, emperor Dinh Tien Hoang built temples in four directions at the gateway to the citadel.

Yen Trach communal house

Yen Trach communal house worships King Dinh Tien Hoang. The communal house is located in Yen Trach ancient village, 2 km from the center of the ancient capital square. Plus, Yen Trach communal house is located northeast of Dinh hamlet.

Besides, the south is bordered by the residential land of the Dinh village people. Conversely, the other three sides are bordered by lakes and cultivated fields. In addition, there is Yen Ha communal house to worship emperor Le Dai Hanh.

In addition, the villages of Yen Trung, Yen Thuong, Chi Phong, and Lac Hoi were destroyed during the Vietnam war. Currently, Ninh Binh province has the plan to reconstruct.

Ancient pagodas In Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu gradually evolved into the heart of Buddhism after functioning as the capital. The unique thing here is that there are quite a lot of pagodas built in limestone caves. Plus, based on rocky mountains or making full use of rocky mountains to make pagodas. Typical pagoda caves are Hoa Son, Thien Ton, Bich Dong, Dich Long, Bai Dinh, Linh Coc, and so on.

Nhat Tru Pagoda – One Pillar Pagoda In Ninh Binh

The Nhat Tru Pagoda (or One Pillar Pagoda), along with the Yen Thanh communal house, is located near the emperor Le Dai Hanh temple. He built this pagoda to evolve Buddhism.

Furthermore, there is still a stone pillar of Buddhist scriptures in front of the temple, still intact from thousands of years ago. It is considered the oldest stone scripture in Vietnam.

Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex

The Bai Dinh Pagoda is the largest pagoda complex in Southeast Asia. Plus, it is one of the largest pagodas in Vietnam, ranking after the Tam Chuc pagoda in Ha Nam province – the largest pagoda in the world.

Zen master Nguyen Minh Khong built the area of ​​the ancient Bai Dinh pagoda in 1136. For thousands of years, the ancient relics are still preserved quite intact. For instance, the temple of Cao Son deity, the temple of saint Nguyen, and the pearl well. In addition, there is a light cave worshiping Buddha and a dark cave worshiping deities.

In addition, the Bai Dinh pagoda area was newly built in 2003, with impressive architectural works. Characteristics of Vietnamese Buddhist culture include Tam Quan gate, Stupa, and Phap master Palace. In addition, there is the Arhat corridor with 500 lively monolithic green stone statues, a cultural park and Buddhist academy, etc.

Since its construction, Bai Dinh Ninh Binh pagoda has set many records in Vietnam and Asia. For instance, the largest gold-plated bronze Buddha in Asia, the longest Arhat corridor in Asia, the tallest and heaviest Shakyamuni Buddha in Asia, the largest bronze bell in Vietnam, etc.

Am Tien Cave Pagoda

Am Tien cave pagoda is only 400 meters from the East gate of King Dinh Tien Hoang’s temple, adjacent to the East citadel of the Hoa Lu ancient capital.

There is an ancient stele from the Ly Dynasty in the pagoda, but the words are faded and cannot be read. Besides, there is also a stele erected during the reign of King Dong Khanh. The writing is still clear about the repair of the pagoda and cave.

In particular, this is where emperor Dinh Tien Hoang raised tigers and leopards to punish those who committed serious crimes. In the Ly dynasty, monk Nguyen Minh Khong chanted and preached the Dharma in the cave. Plus, he built a Buddha altar in the cave.

Ba Ngo Pagoda

The Dinh Dynasty built this temple on the right bank of the Hoang Long River on the periphery of the ancient Hoa Lu citadel. In the temple, there is a stone stele that had from 1877.

Legend is where the mother of Ngo Nhat Khanh practiced. The pagoda has a great letter from the Nguyen Dynasty with three words “Ba Sa Tu”. According to the Sino-Vietnamese dictionary, Sa means much miserable.

Therefore, Ba Ngo Pagoda in the 10th century was the place to conduct the ritual of repentance, washing away all worldly karmic sins. Moreover, here also unearthed ancient tombs of the Han – Tang dynasties.

Ban Long Pagoda

The Dinh Dynasty also constructed the Ban Long Pagoda. When Lord Trinh Sam visited, his hand wrote three big words: “Ban Long Tu” on the wall of the cave door. “Ban Long” is a dragon pedestal – a sitting dragon stone pedestal.

The stele on the cliff carved in the 16th century wrote: “From Hoa Lu ancient citadel, follow the rocky mountain and go south to Khe Dau village, there is Ban Long pagoda. Besides, there is a very mysterious sitting dragon-shaped stalactite in the temple. The unique thing under the statue is the coiled stone dragon nest created by the Creator.

Additionally, around the Buddha statues on the cave walls are stalactites that nature has created into four sacred animals. They are Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise and Phoenix.

Other Ninh Binh Pagodas

Kim Ngan Pagoda is an ancient temple located in Chi Phong village, in the inner citadel in the west. It is where gold and silver were kept when emperor Le Dai Hanh plowed in Kim Ngan’s field.

Another Ninh Binh pagoda is Duyen Ninh Pagoda. It was once a place for princesses to play. Plus, it is where Ly Thai To and Princess Le Thi Phat Ngan swore an oath there to give birth to emperor Ly Thai Tong. In addition to the pagodas above, there are many other pagodas in Ninh Binh.

Besides the caves, pagodas, temples and communal houses, Hoa Lu also has the tombs of Kings Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh. In addition, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital still preserves many national treasures. Therefore, Hoa Lu – the first Capital of Vietnam country- is worth visiting.

What To Eat When Traveling To Hoa Lu?

In addition to the historical sites and unique landscapes, delicious restaurants with the rustic cuisine style of the North are one of the attractions for tourists when coming to Hoa Lu Ninh Binh. Let’s take a look at the delicious Ninh Binh foods that you must try when coming here:

Ninh Binh rice crust is a famous specialty of Ninh Binh. Rice grains are even, crispy, bright yellow, and served with a special sauce that makes visitors eat forever without feeling bored.

Mountain goat meat: Mountain goats in Ninh Binh are processed to make many attractive dishes such as lemon-lime goat, steamed goat, goat’s spring rolls, goat blood soup, and so on. Not only tasty but also very nourishing and healthy.

Mountain snail: Crispy, sweet snail meat is processed in various ways: steamed with ginger, stir-fried with lemongrass and chili, or mixed with salad, etc.

Additionally, there are still lots of other delectable foods that you can try. For example, Yen Mac fermented pork roll, swamp-eel vermicelli, Kim Son wine, Gia Vien shrimp paste, etc.

Closing

On the whole, Hoi An Private Taxi can say that Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is a work of great historical significance in Vietnam. Let’s come here and hear the stories of heroic kings being told most vividly. It will definitely give you great experiences about the old Vietnamese culture. We wish you a great holiday in Hoa Lu Ninh Binh, Vietnam!