Attraction of Hoa lu ancient and tam coc caves

Brief history

This area is 113 km south of Ha Noi. At the end of the first millennium, Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam for a short period (from 968 to 1009).

Face to the invasion of the Chinese, King Dinh  moved the capital of Vietnam from Ha Noi to Hoa Lu because of the area’s the limestone formations surrounding the site.

From time to time, archaeologists have excavated buried parts of this citadel with rusty weapons and ceramics. The temples are said to be built on the old foundation of their original palaces in 11-12th centuries and restored in 17th century. The temples are not maintained entirely. However, some precious antiques are still preserved well such as: the whole-stone dragon thrones, wooden bas-relieves and lacquered statues of King Dinh, Kinh Le, Queen Duong Van Nga who in turn got married both of the kings, and the princes of the two dynasties.

Highlights

Hoa Lu can be easily be seen on a day trip from Ha Noi. Come here, tourists will be attracted by beautiful scenery of the area. The mountains and sea combined to make Hoa Lu’s picturesque landscape. Hoa Lu lays in a flat valley surrounded by the Trang An lime stone mountains, which form a natural wall protecting the old citadel. The city’s northwest is bordered by the Hoang Long River, the tributaries of which run through the capital, cooling the weather within the city and serving as convenient waterways.

As the capital of the country for 41 years, Hoa Lu has many palaces, pagodas, tombs and pavilions that were built by different dynasties. One of the most popular pieces of architecture is the Bao Thien Tue Palace, which was plated with gold and silver. However many vestiges have been destroyed due to time and weather.

The 2 temples dedicated to respective Le and Ding kings. One temple honors Dinh Tien Hoang with an imposing statue. The other temple, is  dedicate to Le Dai Hanh, one of Dinh’s generals and the first King of the Le dynasty, who grabbed power in A.D 987 after Dinh was mysteriously assassinated. So the capital had existed under 2 dynasties only.

The Royal Court was built in an area of 150 hectares in the eastern part of the capital while the western part served as a site to educate and protect children.

Local Festival: the most important and largest of them is the Truong Yen Festival, which is held on the 10th day of the third lunar month. The festival is in memory of the Kings of the Dinh and Le dynasties. The festival lasts for three days with many traditional games and martial arts, reflecting local residents’ legends.

Travel Guides in 67cities and Provinces of Vietnam:

Hanoi|Hochiminh(Saigon)|Halong|Hue|Hoian|Haiphong|Catba|Hoabinh|Caobang|laocai|Maichau|
Sapa|Sonla|Dienbienphu|Thainguyen|Phutho|Babe-Backan|Hagiang|langson|Bacninh|Hatay|
Haiduong|NinhBinh|Thaibinh|Quangninh|DongHoi|QuangBinh|Quangtri|Phuyen|Phutho|Thanhhoa|
Nghean|Hatinh|Danang|Taynguyen|Kontum|Gialai|Daknong|Daklak|Dalat|BinhDinh|Nhatrang|
PhanThiet|Muine|Vungtau|KienGiang|Phuquoc|Tayninh|Vinhlong|Travinh|Dongthap|Tiengiang|
Angiang|Cantho|Bentre|Camau|

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