ANCIENT CAPITAL HOA LU

Dinh Bo Linh (924-979), born Dinh Tiên Hoàng, was the first emperor of Dai Cô Viêt (ancestor of Vietnam) and founder of the Dinh dynasty (968-980). In 968, he established his capital at Hoa Lu, his native village, which remained the capital of the following dynasty, the earlier Lê, until 1010. The Tràng An site, surrounded by mountains, is well protected and close to major trade routes. The citadel must have covered an area of 3 ^km2, but only a few traces of the outer rampart remain, insufficient to re-establish the original layout. Today, only traces of the palace and citadel remain, and only the ^17th-century reconstructions of two^11th-century dynastic temples in Truong Yên commune, Hoa Lu district, are visible. The larger is dedicated to the cult of emperor Dinh Tiên Hoàng, and the other to emperor Lê Dai Hành.

Dinh Tiên Hoàng Temple (King Dinh Temple). Located on Yen Ha territory, it dates back to the earlier Lê dynasty (^17th century). As you cross the threshold, you'll notice the pedestal for the royal throne. The temple has three shrines: Bai Duong (for the community), Thien Huong (in honor of the mandarins) and Chinh Cung (the shrine dedicated to Dinh Tiên Hoàng). The temple also houses a beautiful bronze bell and a statue of emperor Dinh Tien Hoàng flanked by his son (left), Dinh Hang Lang and Dinh Toan (right). In 1998, excavations around the temple by Vietnamese archaeologists revealed terracotta slabs decorated with floral motifs (^10th century), as well as numerous ceramic objects representing mythical animals that adorned the palace roofs.

Temple Lê Dai Hành (Temple of King Lê). Located 300 m from Dinh Tiên Hoàng temple. It dates back to the Dinh dynasty. In the main sanctuary, dedicated to the cult of kings, are three statues: that of general Lê Hoan, proclaimed emperor under the name of Lê Dai Hanh and founder of the earlier Lê dynasty (980-1005) (middle), that of queen Duong Van Nga (right) and their eldest son Lê Ngoa Trieu (left), third king of the first Lê dynasty. The temple also contains some superb drums and gongs, and above all a collection of weapons dating from the ^10th to ^18th centuries.

In addition to the temples, you can still see the remains of ramparts, buildings, royal palaces and princely dwellings. These remains and the surrounding landscape are well worth a visit.