Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

From Ninh Binh city to the north for about 6km along the National Highway 1A. When you reach Cau Huyen cross-road of Thien Ton Town, turn left and continue for 6km more, you will reach this site.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the stone-walled royal citadel, is located in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital used to be the economic, political and cultural center of Dai Co Viet (Great Viet) – the first centralized feudal state of Vietnam which existed from 968 to 1010 C.E.). It is also the native land of 3 royal dynasties: the Dinh, and the Pre - Le and Ly. The ancient capital covered an area of 300ha, including the Inner Citadel and the Outer Citadel. It was surrounded by rock mountain ranges. In the past, Hoa Lu Royal citadel was adorned with splendid palaces, magnificent temples and shrines. When King Ly Cong Uan transferred the capital to Thang Long (now known as Hanoi), it became the ancient capital. Due to the ravages of time, Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel no longer exists. Now, there are only some vestiges related to the Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties. For example, there is King Dinh temple for worshipping King Dinh Tien Hoang and his sons, Le Temple worshipping King Le Dai Hanh, Queen Duong Van Nga and their sons. These relics together with the mountains ranges have stood the test of time.

Royal Edict on the transfer of the capital

In 1010 King Ly Thai To consulted the mandarins to transfer the capital from Hoa Lu to Dai La (Hanoi). King Ly Thai To asked the mandarins the following questions.

Dai La (Thang Long), the former capital (of His Highness Cao) is situated at the very heart of our country. Its position evokes that of coiled dragon, a seated tiger. It is at equal distance from the four cardinal points and is favorable to both mountains and rivers.

There, the location is sufficiently vast and flat, the land sufficiently elevated and well - exposed. There, the population is sheltered from inundations and floods. There, all is flourishing and prosperous. It is the most beautiful site bringing together men and riches coming from the four cardinal points. It is an excellent capital for a royal dynasty for ten thousand generations. I wish, therefore, to take advantage of this favorable location to establish the capital there.

Le Dai Hanh Temple

Together with King Dinh Temple, the King Le Dai Hanh temple is majesticly placed on the grounds of the Hoa Lu Ancient Palace. It is a remaining evidence of the golden age of the land that three feudal dynasties of Vietnam originated from.

The temple is located in Truong Yen Ha Village, Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District. It is 300m from King Dinh Temple to the north, the temple backs up against Den Mountain. The features of architecture, art and devotional statues are similar to those of King Dinh Temple. The temple still keeps its original architectural beauty. The temple is also built in the “noi cong ngoai quoc” style (国) but its main entrance is in the east. The constructions here do not have stone-doorsteps and stones for propping the pillar as King Dinh Temple. Hence, we can contemplate the temple with adequate example of the architecture and sculpture of Post-Le Dynasty period.

In the Bai Duong of the King Le Temple, the gate is placed at the second row of pillar and encompassed by the wall, therefore it is a bit dark in the temple. There are many huge Chiness-word boards and they are carefully red-lacquered and trimmed with gold that gives tourists a sense of magnificence. The wood-carving art here surpasses the wood - carved articles in King Dinh temple and it concentrates in “buc con”, “diem” (edging), “xa” (beam) and “bay” (lever), elements. Six of beams have the image of the rising-of six dragons created by the folk artists. The clever arrangement placing the dragon’s head near the beam have created the theme of the tiger-dragon meeting.

Four dragons’ heads with bristly hair behind was carved on four of “dau du”, expressing the rising-of four dragons out of the clouds. This makes the “vi keo” details (beam and pillar details). By means of that, folk artists experienced in combining the folk stories with the sculpture art, making it lively and spirited.

The “Chinh Cung” part of King Le Temple comprises five compartments. The middle compartment has statue of King Le Dai Hanh sitting on his throne, wearing a Binh Thien Hat and his face is very hale and hearty. The statue is placed on a pedestal. There is also a statue of Queen Duong Van Nga in the temple. This proves that the local residents have sympathy with the woman who was the queen of these two kings. Her statue is put on the left side of King Le Statue. The statue of Queen Mother Duong Van Nga is a beautiful one with a plump and charming face, ruddy skin and many features of Vietnamese women. Her outside robe is sculpted with supple creases, be loosened to reveal the inside blouse with many noble-patterns. Her statue displays feminine virtues and youthful qualities as people wanted to build an image of a enthusiastic, talented, keen and beautiful woman.

The statue of Le Long Dinh- the fifth son of Le Dai Hanh and also the fifth King of Pre-Le dynasty- was placed in the right-hand compartment of Chinh Cung. As Le Long Dinh was a King, he wore a dragon-embroidered robe but he was ineligible to wear a Binh Thien Hat. All statues in King Le Temple, including the statue of King Le Dai Hanh, are made of jackfruit tree wood and they are all red-lacquered and trimmed with gold.

Visiting King Le Temple, tourists will be able to contemplate a real palace of Le Dynasty. It is a short dynasty but it was a glorious one with the merit of the first King of Le Dynasty – Le Dai Hanh.