Hoa Lư - The Ancient Capital

Located south of the Red River Delta Region 90 km's from Hanoi, Hoa Lư was a bustling capital city in turmoil during the 10th and 11th centuries. For a short time, it was the economic, political and cultural centre of medieval Vietnam. In 968 A.D, it was strategically built in a flat verdant valley, protected between steep limestone mountains, which created a virtually impenetrable barrier to human traffic.

The only access in was via the Golden Dragon River which connects Hoa Lư to the sea. Originally the Royal Citadel consisted of two enclosures, separated by a limestone mountain. The addition of earthen walls, some 10 metres high and 15 metres thick, made the fortress especially difficult to attack.

Once a sprawling complex of palaces, temples and shrines, the ancient citadel no longer exists and few vestiges of the 10th century remain. Set on the grounds of the former main palace lie two of remaining temples built in honour of Emperor’s Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Lê Đại Hành and their shared Queen, Dương Vân Nga; the Queen of two kings.

 Đinh Bộ Lĩnh was born in 924 and became the first Vietnamese Emperor after defeating twelve rebellious warlords and liberating the country from Chinese rule. He was a significant figure in the establishment of Vietnamese independence and political unity in the 10th century. Unfortunately his reign was ended prematurely in 979 when a delusional palace official, inspired by a dream, murdered him and his eldest son while they were asleep.

After his death, the King’s commander-in-chief Lê Hoàn stepped into power, eliminated his opponents at court and entered into illicit relations with the Empress Dowager. Wanting to take advantage of the weakened & turbulent environment, the Chinese began to make plans for reconquering the country however Lê Hoàn defeated the Song invasion, proclaimed himself Emperor Lê Đại Hành and founded the early Lê Dynasty. After a war ravaged 25-year reign, he died at the ripe old age of 64 in the year 1005.

After her first husband King Đinh was assassinated, the Empress agreed to transfer the throne to Commander-in-chief Lê Hoàn and hence became the first woman in Vietnamese history to be married to two Emperors. Although information about her life is difficult find within the pages of the history books, she is now wildly regarded as a woman of immense power within her generation and participated in various important events which certainly influenced the history of Vietnam. Her statue in the Temple of Lê Đại Hành, faces the direction of King Đinhs Temple to show that her heart still belongs to her first husband. Following the demise of the Lê Dynasty, the capital was transferred to Thăng Long (now Hanoi) and Hoa Lư became known as the ancient capital and slipped into fast decline.

 Location : Truong Yen Thuong Village, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam

How to get there : Hoa Lư is usually included in a day trip from Hanoi to Tam Coc (this tour costs about $50 AUD and admission to all attractions is included). It’s roughly 100km’s and a 2.5 hour drive from the center of Hanoi and around 20 minutes from Ninh Binh. Buses and trains are also available at a drastically reduced cost.

Attraction Info : Entry costs 20,000 vnd for adults and 10,000 vnd for children. Phones and cameras are allowed, but they do ask that you do not use photography inside the temples. And as always, those entering temples should be dressed appropriately.

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