Hoa Lu was chosen as the first capital of the centralized feudal state when Dinh Bo Linh ascended the throne in 968. Today, the remains of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital are located in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, about Hanoi capital is nearly 100 km to the South. Although it was only chosen as the capital of Dai Co Viet for 42 years, many events related to the destiny of the nation took place here, such as: connecting with the careers of three consecutive dynasties. are the Dinh Dynasty, the Early Le Dynasty and the Ly Dynasty with historical marks: unifying the country, defeating the Song Dynasty - suppressing Champa and discovering the process of capitalizing Hanoi today.
Note: Admission is free
Places to visit in Hoa Lu
Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang
It is an important relic in the special protection zone of the Hoa Lu ancient capital heritage complex. The temple is in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh. The location of the temple is in the center of the Eastern citadel of the ancient capital Hoa Lu. This is the only temple in Vietnam that simultaneously worships King Dinh Tien Hoang, his parents and sons, and has tablets worshiping generals of the Dinh dynasty. Built in the style of foreign domestic architecture, the main axis faces east. Right in front of the temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang is Ma Yen mountain shaped like a saddle, on the mountain there is the tomb of King Dinh Tien Hoang. The temple was built on the foundation of the ancient Hoa Lu capital palace. Around the temple, archaeologists excavated and found a patch of brick courtyard with lotus motifs and a pair of phoenixes playing with each other.
Temple of King Le Dai Hanh
The temple worships King Le Dai Hanh, Queen Mother Duong Van Nga, Le Long Dinh, and also has tablets worshiping Princess Le Thi Phat Ngan and General Pham Cu Luong. King Le Dai Hanh's temple is 300m away from King Dinh Tien Hoang's temple in the eastern citadel. The temple's architecture was built in the style of foreign internal construction but on a smaller scale than King Dinh. In front of the temple is the central square of Hoa Lu ancient capital and Den mountain located on Sao Khe river, behind the temple is a moat protecting the ancient capital at the foot of Dia mountain.
Phat Kim Temple
Located in a quite beautiful campus, near the north gate into the center of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, on one side adjacent to Yen Thanh ancient village road. The temple consists of 3 buildings arranged in votive style and facing the central courtyard. According to historical records, this location is located on the floor of Vong Nguyet Palace, the country previously chosen by Princess Phat Kim, very close to Nhat Tru Pagoda.
Hoa Lu Tu Tran
Tran Dong - God Thien Ton: is a legendary god in the capital Lu of the 10th century. Legend has it that before leading troops to quell the rebellion of 12 warlords, Dinh Bo Linh brought offerings here to worship with the wish to be honored by the god. Help defeat other warlords. After ascending the throne, Emperor Dinh Tien established the capital in Hoa Lu. He built Tien Te House and Kinh Thien Dai House to welcome foreign envoys before entering the capital.
Tran Tay - God of Cao Son: according to the genealogy of Hau mountain temple (Yen Thang commune, Yen Mo, Ninh Binh), King Cao Son was Lac general Vu Lam, the 17th son of King Lac Long Quan, while traveling. During the week from the Nam Linh area to the Thien Duong area, he found a type of powdered tree that could be used to make cakes instead of rice flour. He named the tree Quang lang (local people still call it Quang lang tree or Quang lang tree). snap bang). Here, the god helped teach people how to make a living and protected them from destructive forces, so the people built a temple. God Cao Son along with God Thien Ton and God Quy Minh are the three gods guarding the three gates to the west, east and south of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.
Tran Nam - Quy Minh God: also known as Quy Minh Dai Vuong, is the name of a god in Vietnamese legend. According to folk legend of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the Holy King Quy Minh Dai Vuong was a water god who had the merit of guarding the low-lying area of Son Nam Pass, protecting the country during the reign of King Hung Due Vuong (ie the second Hung King). 18). God Quy Minh is a "superior god", he was ordained by kings through many dynasties, and is worshiped by the people here. The temple was previously built by King Dinh Tien Hoang at Nam Citadel (Trang An) in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and later rebuilt by King Tran Thai Tong on the scale it is today.
Tran Bac - Giant God
Unlike the three gods mentioned above, the fourth tutelary god guards the three citadels. Saint Nguyen is a famous man who was born in the hometown of King Dinh Tien Hoang and contributed to the construction and renovation of many relics in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, so he is considered a divine god in the northern four towns of Hoa Lu. His other name is Ly Quoc Su, in his homeland he is called Saint Nguyen. In historical records, he is a giant god who can move and fly in the air, creating mountains, caves, lakes, etc.
